Racist, Racism, or Other

Three recent incidents have once again catapulted race relations into the headlines here in the United States. Let’s be clear the actions of the individuals in each of these cases were reprehensible. With that said, we as people are quick to assign labels to a person based on their actions whether it’s deserving or not. We’re not here to adjudicate the individuals, just to consider how they’re characterized in the media.

The dictionary defines racist as, a personal belief in racism, the doctrine that one’s own racial group is superior, or that a particular racial group is inferior to the other.

Racism is defined as, a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

In reality, these individuals’ beliefs are unknown, yet conclusions and characterization made that can only be derived through knowledge of the individual’s beliefs, values, and character.

Psychologists and behavioral scientists would assess these situations considering the individual’s state of mind at the point in time. In assessing the state of mind a sign as to what triggered the behavior may give way to a motive, and that what people are really seeking.

If these individuals are not racist or racism wasn’t involved what then?

Here again, we turn to mind science. Under normal circumstances, adults have a measured response to external stimuli. This is because the response tends to be based on a rational decision-making process. But somethings circumstances trigger an irrational response. Rather than using a rational process, emotions take over. In these situations, the individual is said to have a “Loss of Control.”

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, loss of control refers to the lack of the ability to provide a conscious limitation of impulses and behavior as a result of overwhelming emotion. It’s perpetrated in actions such as a state of agitation, fighting, screaming, and uncontrolled weeping.  In extreme cases, life-threatening incidents, usually natural disasters, involuntary immobility due to extreme fear may occur.

The situations saw on video and read about from various new outlets may not indicate the individuals are racist or engaged in racism, but it does depict a loss of control. Further investigation and revelation may disclose indeed they were motivated by a racial superiority complex, but for now, let just say they acted in a manner not indicative of the values we hold dear as Americans.