Once someone grows up a racist can they change?

Question

Is a person always racist or do they just have to be quiet and know that it is ugly or can they really choose to grow and change? Anyone thereself changed or have you known anyone who truly turned over a new leaf and worked to become a better person and learn compassion?

My father grew up in a racist family my Aunt mouths off racist comments, my father was pretty quiet, my mother was tollerant and rased me in tollerance and love and equality. I think my father was racist, but knew it was ugly and kept his mouth shut. He was only racist in a smaller way. He was not hateful to everyone. Not that that is good, but it was not everywhere like some people so it was easier for him to be quiet and know it was unattractive. My mom took care of that raising with me and I grew up in an open society where people mixed and lived together. It helped me. I just like all people. I am not sure someone can change I think they can just choose to shut up about it.

My aunt grew up in the same family minus the advanced education she went to finishing school instead so she could marry. She is so racist she does not know she is.

Hunglow that sounds pretty far fetched.

Answer 1

The man who composed "Amazing Grace" ran a slave ship...then...he woke up...he composed that wonderful song/American hymn afterwords. You tell me.

Answer 2

Racism is actually grouping 'we' against 'them'. Every person grows up in a certain group, which usually do have antagonistic groups. These are our prejudices which are rooted in our mind from childhood. But we can overcome these prejudices by education and having a broader view of life. Some people do not progress in this direction and become degenerate instead. But mostly its upto a person to choose between the two options available to him.

Answer 3

Every person is capable of change....some people just choose not to and others just are a little harder to through to....I think that no matter what people have the ability to take on a new leaf if the really want to...if they don't then they never will.

Answer 4

I doubt a racist can change even if they want to. The hate program is too deeply installed. The most they can do is learn to keep their opinions to themselves. A neighbor of my family's
came over to our house when we had company and pretended
to like everyone. When my father sold our house to a black family his mask fell off and his true nature became clear. We were shocked.

Answer 5

Yes I strongly believe that a person who is brought up to be a racist can change but it's something that he or she should want to do for him or herself because no change can come if the person itself doesn't want to change. It will take time and a lot of courage and determination but if someone really wants to change his attitude and behavior it can be done. Unfortunately a lot of racists do not want to change and I do not believe that this is because they feel superior but I strongly believe that it has to do with fear. In their eyes it's safer to stay with what you know and think is best than open your heart for something that might very well prove that everything you were taught to believe in is wrong and outside that there is this feeling of not wanting to turn your back on to the family that raised you and give them the feeling that you have betrayed them because you have changed your mind about what they used to brainwash your mind with.
What I do know for myself is that when I was growing up as a child and being discriminated upon because of my different culture and religion I sometimes felt prejudiced towards white people and I sometimes thought that all white people were hard and cold people feeling themselves better that the rest. I was very shy as a child and I didn't know how to speak up for myself and I locked everything that had happened up inside. It was until later and I had grown up that my understanding about it grew and that I knew that their actions and behavior didn't say anything about me but about them and who they were or are. nowadays they can't get to me anymore. I don't mind it anymore when people do not like me for who I'm It's their choice and they have to live with it. If they cannot open their heart for someone outside what they consider to be normal or perfect than that is there problem there are enough people who don't mind me being different and who accept and respect me for who I'm.

Answer 6

Doobie Princess,

Change, grow, better person? Compassion?!? Why would you ask him to do that? Think about it . . . You are asking someone to change who they are and what they believe just so it will conform to your worldview. Trying to force someone to accept what they do not believe. But you don't ask Christians to accept the beliefs of Satan worshippers. Isn't there something you dislike and you get upset when someone tells you you're wrong? Would you ask a community to learn to accept a lawbreaker? A Coke drinker to enjoy Pepsi?

Answer 7

Everyone can change, but you have to want to change.Some people are just quiet. But if you are a racist you will only be queit in certain circles. You can be reeducated by developing your knowledge and having knew experiences but you have to be open to change.

Answer 8

I believe anyone can change, if the desire is truly heartfelt. I don't know how racist families are raised. Yet, I know they've some morals and ethics instilled; for they desire respect too.

Answer 9

yeah they could change, i had a friend who was racist, i kept telling him he had to change,after a few weeks ,he said he would give it a try,6 months later he got shot by black people,but he kept trying to not fall back into his racist behavior, after 9 months he got stabbed by a puerto rican, after recovering from that ,13 months later he got killed by a white gang, i still feel bad for making him change

Answer 10

people can change