Am I crazy for understanding racism?

The two sides as I see it:

1. Unilateral Condemnation of any racist words and/or actions

• because if we tolerate racism, everything we stand for (as romero house) comes into question
• because our society is so perfect and racism free, and we all live in Canada now
• because we are secure enough in our identity, social standing, and future we don't need to hide behind racist attitudes
• because its "wrong"

2. Entering into dialogue and trying to understand it.

• because I don't come from the same country as either of the people in question
• because stereotypes are rooted in some form of truth, and then unfairly universally applied - conversely, if someone only steals sometimes, is that the same as only beating you some of the time??
• because people believe their beliefs are True. That's why they believe them.
• because I think that "unilateral intolerance of racism" is a cultural value that is learned over time when you are secure in your own place in society.
• because I don't think I can say "you are wrong" to someone's life experience as they know it to be true. I think I can say "I don't think that's always true". but thats not quite as strong...
• because everyone's a little bit racist some times. and racism is normal to every society.
• because racism and oppression drain life from the oppressor as well as the oppressed