How Do You Act Around A Racist?

Looking at your situation you did the best possible thing you could have. In another person's home at their party is not the right venue to question their belief system; well done Shag. I think the best option in most cases is to ignore it, making them look foolish or simply getting into a deadlock with them will do nothing but sour the mood. If someone wants to be ignorant you should let them. They most likely wont convince others they are correct unless the person they talk with is of the same mind. (this is how I act in real life, the internet is a different story)

I had a similar situation happen about a year ago: Christmas dinner with my family and my Grandmother invites along a friend she met from her building. He is an elderly gentleman and enjoys being outspoken. As we talk he casually drops multiple "n-bombs" during a discussion about movies(don't ask me how it related, he found a way to make them connect). The only thing any of us could do was to simply smile and nod, I don't believe I would have done anyone a favor by trying to convince an 80 year old man he was a racist and wrong. Sometimes you just gatta let people be ignorant.

Growing up in a multi-racial community, I haven't encountered a "racist" in a long while, so not much help here. But if I were to encounter such a situation, I'd probably just a) walk away, b) blow them off like they don't know what the heck they're talking about. Arguing with them is like arguing with a troll - it never works unless there's an actual threat.

If you realy wants him to reconsider his beliefs about things, look up as realible sources as you can about how the dna differs from say a black person and a white one. Try sound a little sceptical about what he says and show him what conclusion the real scientists have made in the matter and what proof they have for it. Don't say that you think he is wrong simply show him the sources and ask what he thinks about it.

After that you could also ask what arguments he has to support his beliefs in form of proofs and theories and question if the sources he got the proofs/theories from realy are realible sources, and also if it could be considered as proof or theory at all. I would recomend a little further reading about what proof and theory is to present to him also, but in short a proof is something you have directly shown is correct with an experiment and a theory is a logical argument based on proof.

Last I recomend to all of you to watch this 10 minutes movie about open-mindness:

Good luck :)

I would do to racist comments what I would do to racist jokes: I laugh at them. He's too stupid to realize he's stupid so there's no need for logic. With this Bill character, I would act like I'm on his side, while I'm actually just gathering more information about him so that if I ever get the chance, I will use his own racism to mock him.

In most situations, I simply deny the racist the satisfaction of getting a reaction from me. I ignore or pretend they don't exist or I didn't hear what they said.

But some situations differ. In that comfortable, informal situation like that situation at Bill's house and all he does is talk, just politely get out of the conversation bubble and go do something else. Though I always observe people if they are willing to listen and I can hold meaningful conversations with them to prove them wrong - there's a glimmer of hope that I can rectify their misconceptions and false beliefs. If indications tell me I can't discuss with him at least in a civil manner, I don't try to - no need to beat my head against a brick wall.

One thing is for sure when dealing with racists: never sink to their level.

Yup i agree with guiltyguardian, ignorance of other people is best ignored.

^this

People with ignorant opinions like that are either idiots or attention whores. In either case, it would be pointless/idiotic to waste breath on them.

This also works, since it is a non-violent, confrontational but efficient way of dealing with ignorant opinions:



But in all honesty, I enjoy a real "racy" racist joke or two, especially about my own ethnicities.

Racists tend to contradict themselves.

The usual people that actually take the time to argue with racists are attention seekers. Seriously, if you sit there and say, "Excuse me, but I have a black friend." or "Oh yeah? Well what if your skin color was blah?" Is just looking for attention. The racists are too, let's be honest here racists are only racists because they want attention. If they truly whole heartedly wanted to spread their racist words they'd be out killing minorities and joining the KKK.

Some racists, i will admit, are genuiely racist. My grandfather, for one, sees nothing wrong for insinuating that the Kenyan who holds the current 100 yard sprint record got so fast from running from tigers all the time. He thinks it's really true. I';m not gonna argue with him, because when he was a kid, that's what he was told, all black peole are from Africa, and Africa is a giant jungle, and al black people that stil llive in africa are part of tribes, and are uncivilized. THIS is what he thinks, I can't condemn him for this, and I can't argue with him because he'll never see facts.

I like to Colbert my reactions, agree with them, no matter what they say, and test how racist they are. You know, something along the lines of, "Yeah, fuck the jew, I mean sure they're white, but they're not white like us right? I mean, them not believing Jesus is holy makes them totally different in genetics and makes them a whole nother race." you know, keep saying more and more ignorant shit until the guy thinks YOU'ReE crazy, it's good fun.

I'm black and some members of my family are very ethnophobic. I'm the type to get tongue tied when I try to argue a point so I just learned to keep quiet. I wish I had better social skills, but I don't. Just stay out of those types of goofy arguments, especially if you lack self esteem or get irritated very easily. What a topic to mark off my 300th post.

I slapped one before...

Bad moment in my life. Started an all out brawl in the downtown Saturday market. O_o


Over heard someone being racist towards asians. What he would do to one if he got his hands on one. Et cetera...

I actually had the guts to walk up to him and slap him. He grabbed me and threw me. Another guy saw and threw a punch at the guy who threw me. And... You can guess the rest.

I've learned to keep quiet when someone starts blabbering about one race be better than another.

>.<

Ha! Racist jokes are funny as shit =P

Im not a racist. just sayin, that shits funny.

As a Jew, I find it amusing to listen to these people for a while. It can be hard to tell a Jew from a cristian (especially me) when they are not steriotypes. So I like to stand arround and listen, then i will suttely ask the reasons for their hatred and ignorance, seek to make them contridict themselves. All the while not taking a stance. If he gets overly agresssive i can usually pull off the "what r u getting so mad about?" thing. Its just fun to mess with these people. Makes ya feel smart and happy to not be them. Thats my bit anyhow.

Most likely bash them..

or just leave them alone if they are funny. :D

To me racism is funny in the way that I like to see other people dumber than I am. I know I am one dumb mother fucker at times, but to see other people blatantly follow the practices and beliefs that someone is inferior based on color, or racial background, I find hilarious.

stupid people amuse me, and theres two kinds of definitions i have for stupid: "lol u make me laugh because your silly type of stupid." then theres "lol you poor soul, your thoughts are your only friend."