When someone around you says something bigoted or racist, do you call them on it, or do you ignore it?

I call them on it.

The only time I didn't was when I was in 7th grade, and my computer teacher told me that I couldn't do my Black History Month report on Ramses II, because he wasn't black enough.

It depends on the setting. I don't allow it at all in my home. I used to put up with it with my son's uncle, but in recent months, I have stopped tolerating it.

Other than in my home, the only time I really see it is in a group, and I usually don't speak up then.

I call them on it and don't mince words.

I had a black coworker (Miami-Dade County School Teacher no less) kept using the word "faggot." I let her know in no uncertain terms that her use of "faggot" was offensive slang, no less so than my use of "nigger."

Same with a formally educated coworker from Chile, who used to refer to "niggers." Now I thot it was the language (he said "foot fingers" for toes, which translates correctly from "dedos de pies.") But after informing him that it was offensive, he kept using it until I started calling him a spic every time I heard it.

Depends on the situation and person. I usually call them on it. I remember one time I got a text from one of my co-workers that read "from a spic to a nigga, what's up?" That rubbed me the wrong way and I definitely called him out for it.

Online, yes. In person, I'm more mellow.

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Online, yes. In person, I'm more mellow.

It's the opposite for me. I expect people to be dicks online because they can and so when I see written racist rhetoric, chances are I'll ignore it because what else can you do but report it. In person, I'd be more likely to say something.

Jason B. wrote:

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Online, yes. In person, I'm more mellow.

It's the opposite for me. I expect people to be dicks online because they can and so when I see written racist rhetoric, chances are I'll ignore it because what else can you do but report it. In person, I'd be more likely to say something.

I agree. People say things online that they'd NEVER say in public.

Chris wrote:

When someone around you says something bigoted or racist, do you call them on it, or do you ignore it?

It depends on the situation. Sometimes people need to be put in their place, but on the other hand, on certain occassions you will find that some battles just aren't worth fighting.

It really depends on the setting for me and what the person says. sometimes I'll make a comment but not always, because some people... well - you know it won't make any difference 'cause they're idiots already. Actually, the times I most often experience racism come from one particular cultural/ethnic group who are extremely racist and it's sad, because they once faced racism themselves. Thankfully, it's not something I come across too often other than with this particular ethnic group.

I usually do not because I think people are entitled to their own opinions, good or bad.

One of my friends is very racist, and she knows that I have a bit of a problem with it, but we do our best to respect each other's opinion. Only once did we have words. I broke down and said something, mainly because she got too carried away and I didn't want to hear it anymore.

But, although skin color isn't the problem, I'm not without my own little biases and neither are most people.

Depends on intent, usually. There was a young Asian couple in the supermarket today, and they were speaking to each other in their native language. An old white man overheard them and asked them "Is that Japanese or Chinese?" They said it was Mandarin Chinese. He exclaimed that he heard that was hard to learn, and asked them if English was as hard to learn. The woman shrugged and said she didn't know. Probably she grew up bilingual. The old man's comments were a bit racist, but he meant no harm.

My ex-husband's grandfather still refers to black people as "darkies." They live in East Bumfuck, Ohio. Grandpa doesn't dislike black people. His neighbors, who are nearly as old as him (90-ish) are black and he's lived next door to them and been friendly with them for over 60 years. It's just cultural. Probably his neighbor refers to him as "whitey." Whatever. They're freakin' old and they aren't going to change.

If someone is being hateful or ugly, I say something. Even in person.

I normally don't say anything--I just look at the offender funny or stop participating in the conversation until they get the point. If I don't know them that well, it's really not worth picking a fight over because they're either intentionally trying to cause a scene for saying it around non-familiar company, or they really don't know any better. But if it's someone that I have to encounter frequently, I'll correct them if they offend more than once.

For example, I had an older white lady as a coworker who consistently referred to black folks as "colored" and anyone of Latino descent as "Mexican." I ignored her at first until both terms came up in one sentence. And I just kept it factual--told her that no one without significant age says "colored" and only people from Mexico are considered Mexican; call someone from El Salvador "Mexican" and she might get her ass handed to her.




I think it was the part about seeming aged that made her stop.