Mad Men
Out of context: Reply #170
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- lukus_W0
@Mr_right;
No .. you're wrong. He is a racist.
"His situation is a little more complex than just hating a race of people because of their ethnicity."
_EVERY_ racist can and _would_ use this argument to validate their point of view. No one hates another person's race simply because they don't like the colour of that person's skin. There are always justifications and prejudices which underlie the hatred or disdain. Racism is complex - but the behaviour can be easily classified.
If a person generalises and presupposes a person's characteristics based upon to their race, they are also - by definition - a racist. Roger fits this definition.
To be frank, it sounds like you're making excuses for your own world-view. The possibility that Japan doesn't employ foreign nationals in its government, means nothing. Even if this was true, it would not excuse someone who is exhibiting racial prejudice. It's another example of a gross generalisation.
I was surprised by Roger's racist outburst, because I find his character generally quite decent and charismatic. At the end of the day, it's clever writing and probably quite true to life. His character is expressing a view that was obviously quite common at the time.
A similar view in modern times would be much less understandable - and far more abhorrent.