Are you intimidated by another race and how do you change this...?

Question

I sometimes get very intimidated by white men. I know I shouldn't be, but I can't help it. I have some white male friends but it took me longer to get comfortable around them then non-white men. I know that sometimes we all have prejudices, but what can I do to stop mine. Any suggestions??? I'm really serious, I don't like feeling that way.

The funny thing is I'm around white men all the time and have lived in predominately white areas before. Doesn't make a difference.

To those who say just get over it. I can't that's why i'm asking this question. I'm not a racist or anything and go around spouting lies about white men. I just get very uncomfortable. Some white people do it around me and it bothers me and I just want to change this.

silentang...
I am making myself feel intimidated. I mean I know that. I don't have anything to be intimidated about, but it doesn't stop the feeling.

Answer 1

I get nervous around black men. Usually when I'm in a rough neighborhood.
I always assume that I, a white male, am about the absolute LEAST intimidating thing around. I mean, if I get attacked, what am I going to do? Give them a back amssage with my soft writer's hands?

Dudette, I'm not entirely harmless, but if you see me across the street leaning up against a post, you've got a whole lot more to fear from the cars zooming past than you have of me doing anything other than yawning.

Answer 2

I don't get intimidated by any one race really. If someone intimidates me, it isn't because of the color of their skin. I have other reasons, like they look better or are smarter, or just scary.But I think I'm like this because I grew up around a mix of people, not just mostly white or mostly black and etc. I wonder what made you feel this way towards white men? If you want some suggestions, maybe you should go where more white people are. I think if you are around them more that prejudice might go away. Just my opinion. Doesn't mean it's right.

Answer 3

Maybe your point was really great and maybe no one has thought of it that way before. I am Asian and I have faced many stereotypes and other things people do. People assume I don't understand english just because I'm chinese I mean how ignorant have people become these days. I'm 14 and I go to a very diverse school, people of ALL races make great comments and give great inputs when we have book talks or discussions. I've never really been in that situation so I'm not sure. Just remember you can confront them or ignore them for the most part. Wish the world was a better place.

Answer 4

Hello I am a 44 year old white man, I have learned in my life time people are people, race really has nothing to do with anything, I have been hurt by more white people then any other race, I am not intimidated by no one, I learned that world will try to cause as much pain on me as possible , yet I do know one thing the world will never hurt my spirit. I do not believe in being prejudices, when I hear that some one is prejudices I ask them what would they do if God appeared to them in the race they do not like, we are all basically the same under the skin, we are different by are individual capabilities and limitations and personal choices and ideas, are individual spirits shows are individual actions that shows who we truly are. Try to not look at people by race look at people as an individual, and give them the time to show who they truly are by their actions. I hope this was help ful. if you want to chat on line my yahoo ID is soulstore

Answer 5

This could be a factor, but I'm not sure if my thinking is right. White men used to be the "dominate figure" until so many changes came with minority women and other minority races.
So if you are in a minority race and always been around them, I can see how you could feel intimidated. I grew up in the country in a small white community. Never seen or was around any other races unless I went to a bigger city. I must admit that I was scared of black men, unless they are were dressed up nice. Then I assumed that they were okay people. I know it probably sounds crazy, but as I grew up and went to the big city to work, I worked with minority people. Some of my best friends are minority. My supervisor was minority and he gave me my very first chance to move up the ladder in the work force. He was like a brother to me. We built trust in each other very early. I worked very hard and wanted to make a better living and accomplish things. But that's an example that I share that I believe relates to your situation. So have faith and pray about it.

Answer 6

Well I remember when I was like 4 to 10 years old I didn't see race I just saw people. When I had my bad influential cousin telling me how much he hated white people, I became the same way. One day I woke up and said to myself, I have lost sight of what really matters in life. I know this kind of happened to me at a really young age, but children have minds of their own too.

Answer 7

Find a therapist or councilor or a support group (maybe one dealing with addressing ones internalized prejudices or whatnot) where you feel comfortable talking about reasons (real or imagined) that white men intimidate you. If you see how someone else "got over" this emotional response then it might help you.

Answer 8

I don't know how old you are, but I've lived with this my whole life!I am white, but I was born to a father who had tried to have a son for 15 years. I'm female. I grew up a tom-boy......not gay but liked the outdoors more than going to the mall. Even though it was PA, there are Rednecks there. I grew up in a mixed community....(white, black, Puerto Rican) so I knew prejudice. Even though I'm white, I was discriminated against for being female. Prove yourself. You might have to do twice as much to get half the respect, but do it. Humor helps.....tell jokes.

Answer 9

Maybe it has nothing to do with race. Why can't we just see people as people and not colors??? I would bet that you are making yourself feel intimidated and not them making you feel that way. But hey we all do it! Just try to see them as people, no better and no worse than you! We are all equal!

Answer 10

Years ago I talk to a wise person who help me not see color but to see people for who they are. I married a American Indian and I am a white girl ...