Comments on: Racism Rears

By: niamh

niamh — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:20:29 +0000

It makes me laugh that Meowser judges the comment not racist solely because the Spanish speaker could be white. (There is more than one definition of racism.)

Meghan’s take makes a lot of sense.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:23:43 +0000

I think it’s interesting you got offended about this. Because it actually shows more about your racial stereotyping than about the original commenter. Language is not equivalent to race. My first language was Spanish and I have blonde hair and green eyes. Why are you assuming that the Spanish language is connected with a certain race? Many people would suggest that’s insensitive. And if you’re upset a way of speaking was picked on… well.. I’m dubious. Would you be similarly offended, had the newbie been from Texas and someone commented in a “drawl” and told him not to go posting every page “pardner?” What if it was German? What if some German girl had asked a question and got responded to with “Nicht nein Frankenstein.” or babble, “krautengreuberlagenfedersubbe.” Language really isn’t an inherently offensive thing to me. So I don’t buy that the initial comment was off-color.

In fact here, in context, I read the poster as laughing at himself and his inability to speak Spanish. It’s interesting to me that you admit to intent to offend was present, but you called someone’s speech racist, which can’t but mean to offend. You had to know it was controversial. I agree that sometimes speech can be insensitive, and people should be called out on it. But I would almost always rather people saying insensitive things with no intent to hurt or cause drama than people saying insensitive “politically correct” things that they realize are likely to do both.

By: Miriam Heddy

Miriam Heddy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:34:16 +0000

I think you’d find these links useful, both to read and have on hand to give out to people:

Jay Smooth on “How to Tell People They Sound Racist”
http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/07/how_to_tell_people_they_sound.html

and this article on Aversive Racism, which helps explain how people who aren’t hood wearing Nazis still internalize racism:
http://academic.udayton.edu/race/01race/racism10.htm

and this:
How Not To Be Insane When Accused Of Racism (A Guide For White People)
http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/12/02/how-not-to-be-insane-when-accused-of-racism/

There are many other Racism 101 websites where you can find more. They’ll help with the, “Wow–why are they acting like *I’m* the one who’s done something wrong?” and in formulating better arguments to help explain to people you like why you aren’t fond of what they’ve just done.

Hope that helps, and good luck. It sucks when people you like and hang with show their asses.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:06:42 +0000

My reaction to certain things depend on where I’m at online. In certain forums people post things for the sole purpose of getting a reaction out of people and egging them on. In this situation they KNOW its racist but just need attention. Most of the time they hang out on particular sites so I know not to fall into their trap.

In other situations I have no tolerance policy toward people posting foolish, privileged or just downright racist things. I try and gauge whether they’re listening to what I’m saying first to decide my next move. If they’re listening then I can continue with some kind of thoughtful exchange of concerns and ideas. If they’re being willfully ignorant and refuse to acknowledge their privilege I go for the throat and try and make them cry, because they’re a lost cause and they pissed me off. Petty? Probably but screw it, I don’t always take the high road.

By: Gry

Gry — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:51:08 +0000

Ach, I ran into the same thing once. This guy was trying to convince me that he absolutely wasn’t racist just because he would never consider “mixing his seed” outside his own race, you know, cause he had friends that were black, he just didn’t want to have biracial children! *head-desk*

I don’t know, how do you deal with that? Despite everyone coming to his defense I have to hope that it gave them something to think about, yeah?

By: Meowser

Meowser — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:27:47 +0000

How about “xenophobic”? Or “English-centric”? Because actually, a Spanish-as-first-language speaking person could very well be Caucasian.

What I might say in a situation like that is, “Look, dude, absolutely anyone can step in it. I have. Most people do. Why should you be the one exception on earth who never does?”

By: Trabb's Boy

Trabb's Boy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:41:07 +0000

Sounds to me like you have a really bright friend, there. It’s tougher online than in person, I think. When someone is in the room and says something racist but not ill-willed, you can let them know with a look that it was inappropriate without really interrupting the mood and flow of conversation — the person learns they made a mistake but isn’t publicly punished for it. Online, you have to be explicit, because there isn’t anything more subtle. He got defensive, because you made it public, where he might have been fine with a quick scowl. I don’t know what to do about it. Better to call it out than let it go.

I do kind of wish there were a different term than “racism” for what he did, just because so many think that racist only means KKK members and the like. “Racially insensitive” might be better for this kind of joke. But that implies that people who care are just being “sensitive”.

Tricky situation, and I think you did good. I’d have let it go, then been ashamed of myself all evening.