How do you know when something said is racist?

Question

The other day I said that I did not want to live in Memphis because it is 66 % African American and I would not be comfortable there. A black guy a few cubicals over heard that and got really mad. Is that a racist statement? Point of fact this guy who is AA lives in a 67 % AA city / town. Please help me. I never considered myself a racist or bigot.

FYI - He complained to management - I did write a appology saying I just felt more comfortable living amongst people of my own culture, religion, etc - I am married to Asian woman and have dated all races and had a Dominican friend at my wedding. I might be afrophobic because I was repeatedly assaulted on my school bus by black guys when I was a kid.

Answer 1

In an era where people are ultra sensitive, your comment was racist. Personally, I don't think that it was racist and you shouldn't have had to apologies. There is nothing wrong with you desiring to live around people you feel are more like yourself. If the black person said that he didn't want to live in Lexington, Kentucky because it is 80% white or it he even said the exact same statement you made, I doubt he'd be in trouble.

The right thing to do is apologize that your statement offended him. Some people are very sensitive to things like that because they feel that you would be the type of person who would treat a black family badly if they moved into your neighborhood. They feel that people like you only see black thugs and gangsters and don't see that there are decent blacks that want the same things out of life that you do. While all of this is true, I still stand by my belief that you should not be held responsible because of others tendency to be extra sensitive. Exam your intentions: if you are not a bigot and just want to live in a neighborhood that suits you, that is your right.

Answer 2

it might have been really racist but it was racial and concerning blacks and blacks are very sensitive about these things. what you said was kind of like 'oh i don't want to live in the hood' but the thing is most blacks say they can't wait to get out of the hood. Now the difference is that it seems that you are citing the only bad part of memphis to be black people instead of maybe saying gangs, drugs or violence(which is often associated with blacks). Bottom line this guy thinks you are racist now and probably has others thinkin it too, but don't say anything stupid to try and quell the situation like 'I love african americans' just tell him you didn't mean to offend him and all you can offer him is a sincere apology for offending him. p.s. I understand, I used to get messed with on the bus too but that was blacks and hispanics and to be honest I don't particularly like any specific race that includes my own, I like people... some people... I don't like blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, or any other race/ethnicity as a whole because as a whole you go by generalizations and stereotypes or averages not specifics.

Answer 3

Well, it depends a whole lot on why you're saying it, or what people assume your intentions are.

If you meant, "I personally wouldn't want to live there, because I'm concerned about crime," that doesn't seem particularly racist per se, but he might have thought you meant all blacks are into crime, and thus got offended. If it's "I'd prefer people not do that, because I think races should be distinct and unmixed", that's a whole lot more problematic. Maybe he thought you were afraid of African-Americans? The problem here is, he may have jumped to a conclusion that you were racist and just didn't like black people. Go and explain to him what you meant and what your reason was.

Answer 4

We're all affected by and express racism it in some way... If someone says this is not true they are either lying or ignorant... What you said is neither right nor wrong... Apologize but dont try to explain why you said it... Instead say you made a mistake and were merely speaking to prove a point rather than being sincere and say that you would really not mind at all living in a predominantly black city because you have had many black friends in your life who have meant a lot to you...

Answer 5

Yes it was a racist answer. I don't think that comment was necessary. If you don't want to live where black folks live, that's fine but try keeping that information to yourself. You don't need to broadcast it at work.

I'm sorry what happen to you as a kid, but don't generalize all blacks as being jerks. Some of us are very respectful to others.

Answer 6

No it was not dont let him take you down, that exactly what he wants, He is what people call a "affirmative action hire". He only got the job beause of his skin color.

Would a white hamster like being in a cage with 5 other black ones?

Answer 7

You are not racist, you don't think yourself higher or better than black people, do you? Or do you think badly of people with different skin color? I think people are just more comfortable with people that are like themselves. It wasn't a racist comment, in my opinion, at all. Besides, if you are actually worried about, you can't be that bad.

Answer 8

You're free to think whatever you want, but I feel that that is a racist statement and you probably shouldn't have said it out loud. If you really don't want to be on bad terms with your co-worker or be considered racist, please apologize for your comments.

Answer 9

you have to understand its not the color that counts just because thier african american does mean thats something bads gonna happen

Answer 10

~I'm not a racist, I just don't want to live amongst them. Nah, that isn't racist - just moronic and ignorant.