Buddhism and Racism Analysis: Racist Buddhists?

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Buddhism and racism: racist Buddhists?
Hickey (2) emphasizes that the Buddhist temples serve different purposes for the immigrants, refugees and converts in the U.S and the West. As such, he highlights the race-based realities and differences across generations influence how individuals approach Buddhism. The article confirms my experience that new converts tend to be the most vocal, sometimes even calling for change compared to those who have been in the religion for long. Mitchell addresses the representation of Buddhism the media, highlighting that the media insiders at times make hasty generalizations and identify model minorities or scrutinize ‘perceived failings’ of minorities including Buddhists more harshly (Mitchell 71). The question of whether Buddhists are racist is open to debate, while it is a challenge to represent Buddhist voices fairly in the media to explain their viewpoints in the U.S. Buddhism also faces the challenge of racism mostly pitying converts and those whose cultural and ethnic heritage is associated with Buddhism.
Since Buddhism is predominantly an Oriental religion, adherents are viewed as ‘others’ in the Western media, but this is simplistic when considering that there are Buddhists with no attachment to East Asia. The notion that Buddhists are interdependent and are concerned with how suffering affects people is a common belief in the religion among converts and those form a Buddhist background (Faith Reason). There are who are unwilling to address racial justice when there are accusations of ‘white privilege.’ Mitchell reports that the coverage of the Tiger Woods scandal and affairs in the media was associated with increased scrutiny of his Buddhist faith. For instance, “a divisive and, yes, proselytizing suggestion that colored Buddhism as inferior (Mitchell 74).”
Misconceptions that Buddha is a replacement of God are common among the non-Buddhist individuals and communities (Myosenji Buddhist Temple). While Buddhists are open to people from all walks of ...