31 August 2008

Roughly Defined

Racism

a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Racist

based on racial intolerance; "racist remarks" 
discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion 

Opinion

a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
Law. the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.
a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.
a favorable estimate; esteem: I haven't much of an opinion of him.

Fact

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred; "first you must collect all the facts of the case" 
a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened; "he supported his argument with an impressive array of facts" 
an event known to have happened or something known to have existed; "your fears have no basis in fact"; "how much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell" 
a concept whose truth can be proved; "scientific hypotheses are not facts"