Quote Originally Posted by Lemur View Post
And if that were my point, indeed, it would not be made. But I was talking about how broad, sweeping generalizations about a group—as an expression of tribalism—sound remarkably like racism (which is just another brand of tribalism, after all). Note that the only word I needed to change in your blanket condemnation was "Leftists," and it sounds perfectly natural. (Important: I am not suggesting that you are a racist in any way shape or form. That's kinda crucial. I'm just pointing out how all tribalism sounds the same, and follows the same inexorable illogic.)

You are of course correct that voluntary choices such as political affiliation and career can cause others to make assumptions about your character, but that's kind of a dodge. As social animals, we're always trying to find some new way to slice Us Versus Them.
But my entire point is that there is nothing wrong with separating yourself from someone (or some group) based on their beliefs. Would you, for instance, want to live in a cannibalistic society where it was deemed acceptable when people got to an age where they could not take care of themselves, for the younger people to eat them?

Racism is not bad because it separates one group of people from another, it is wrong because of the false assumptions of linking race with behavior cause you to incorrectly associate people with behaviors or beliefs that they do not hold. ei, it is not the discrimination that is bad, but the fact that you are discriminating against people unfairly.