Is there a difference between 'racism' and 'nationalism'?

Question

Someone elsewhere on GWS said that Texas in the USA is now swamped by illegal immigrants from Mexico. Those who are objecting to this situation are being labelled 'racist' by the polcorists (political corrctness fanatics).

How do you feel about this?

Answer 1

It wouldn't really matter if the people over the Texan border were Chinese, it's about immigration (illegal and otherwise).  

Answer 2

Yes, there's a difference.

Nationalism just means having loyalty and devotion to a nation or ethnic group and promoting the interests, cultural and social values, or religion.

To be racist means to have prejudice or discrimination based on an individual's race.

Answer 3

They are called illegal immigants for a reason.They should all be deported becuase they are not our problem.They have no right coming over here.So that means I am rascist?I dont think so.America is america.We live here,not Mexican immigrants.Its not our fault that their country is messed up nor our problem.

Answer 4

The difference is that you can dislike another nation and exalt your own against people of the same race (e.g. Britain against France). Racism is purely about race.

Answer 5

yes there is a difference

Nationalism is a strong pride in ones country like cubans waving a cuban flag or an american waving an american flag. there is a fine line between nationalism and racism though. racism would be prejudicing someone based on their race. however in the case of illegal immigrants it really shouldnt be a question of race. its about legalitys. the people who are speaking out about the illegal border crossings are most likely speaking about the illegalitys not the race. some people could get out of hand saying ALL mexicans are illegal wich is not true.

Answer 6

The terms "racism, nationalism and patriotism" are often used interchangeably for the sake of convenience.  The semantic difference is really not nearly as significant as the subtext of the user of a given label and the user's underlying agenda.

Answer 7

There may be a difference, but it doesn't matter because when people make observations such as the one you cite, they're automatically labelled.  I don't like the loose immigration policies there are in Canada, and I don't care where the immigrants are coming from.  All I know is what I see...the country's laws being changed by people who come here and want to re-create their own countries within "mine."  Because I know it's our government allowing the **** that goes on here, I am not a nationalist and am coming to hate the country of my birth.  In every other country in the world, there is a sense of identity and pride, but not in Canada where we kowtow to every special interest group there is.  The fact that I can go nowhere with the expectation of imposing my beliefs on another culture galls me to no end when I have to change my ways of doing things within my own borders to suit the newest wave of immigrants.  Canadians are not increasing in population through child birth because Candians are too busy working to pay for all the perks that come along with hijacking a country--so, the immigrants (whom we need, or we'd have zero population growth, so we're told) have babies for us.  And we pay for them too.  And any money these immigrants get goes where?  You betcha...their countries of origin.  I think Americans have it right...stay true to what you are, keep your policies US-centric, fight against immigration in general, but illegal immigration in particular, and do not listen to the bleeding hearts who say you should feel sorry and/or responsible for every damned problem happening around the world.  

Answer 8

Having lived in Texas,( Houston ) I was able to witness this firsthand. Everyone I met, is somehow connected to Mexico, Central and South America. Even the Border Patrol Agents have a connection. The only People who had negative comments were from People who were not born and raised in Texas. All of the illegals I've seen or met had Two things in common. They work in jobs NO ONE else wants. They come here because of our freedoms. No One ever said anything racist or derrogatory towards any of them for the 4 years that I lived there.  

Answer 9

yes. i think most of the time people are'nt racist they are infact nationalist or culturalist.

Answer 10

Just as I said in the other question pertaining to Political correctness, what you have just described is NOT political correctness.

Think about this, the statement said Texas is filled with illegal immigrants, right? What you just described was someone pulling the race card.

Political correctness is a tool of abolishing stereotypes, not making a statement based on common knowledge. The content stated there are a lot of certain people in one geographical area, not insulting them by stating a stereotype that generalizes an entire race or place.

As for the difference between Nationalism, and racism.

Racism is the hatred for a mass group of people based on race.

A nationalist is someone who is faithful to their own country, or may dislike another country, but not necessarily the people in it.