What to say or do in situations when a person you know is prejudice?

Question

For example, sitting at lunch with others, and this person starts complaining " Indians have this....Indians do that....Indian get this..." and then makes a statement that with the way they are populating, they know what their doing. ??? Then she says... and I'm not prejudice either. And some others sitting there agreed with her. I just sat there quiet, looking away in disbelief...and she knows how I feel about these types of statements. But, what can I say in a situation like that. It makes me want to get up and walk out. Maybe that is what I should have done?

I appreciated all the answers...and great advice. Thanks. I have felt so stressed from this at times lately (it's been building up), and almost feel I'm alone in a prejudice world sometimes! LOL And it isn't like I haven't dealt with this crap before! Though I know it's difficult to distance myself from these situations all the time...I certainly don't have to subject myself to listening to those people when they decide it's time to have discussions of putting other human beings down. Thanks again ... I was knocked down and you all picked me back up! :o) And doesn't that give you a warm,fuzzy, wuzzy, cozy, kinda-down-to-your-toes-feeling? ;o) :oP

Answer 1

your silence and not reacting speaks volumes in a situation like that, and is very often one of the best ways to deal with it. there's nothing wrong with handling it like that, or with getting up and walking off without saying a word. that speaks volumes too.

what gets me is that she already knows how you feel about those types of statements, yet she went ahead with more. do you think she was trying to bait you into an argument or something?

if you feel like tackling this prejudice of hers, here's some things you could say next time:

'there's a river called 'denial'.

or........call her on it.. you could say something like, 'hmmm, sounds like a prejudiced thing to say'.

or....... you could say what you are feeling, such as, 'I can't believe you just said that!'

Answer 2

Sometimes saying nothing is the best comment you can make. A look of disbelief and no comment at all. Don't nod, or murmur or mmm hmm or show any type of reaction except disgust. You will get your point across without having to verbalize it.

Either that or say something like, "Really? Why would you say that? Do you personally know any natives? Have you studied N'Amerindian (North American Indian) history?" And ensure you use the correct terminology when speaking to the particular group she is prejudiced against.

Answer 3

I always speak up. I have friends from all walks of life and races. When people speak this way about any ethnic group I take it personally- like they are insulting a friend, because they are

Answer 4

laugh at her, especially when she says she's not prejudiced. make fun of some of the outrageous things she says, like when she says, "Indians do this," praise her years of personally inspecting every Indian household.

Answer 5

politely smile...say i know we all have our opinions...but i'm not comfortable with this type of conversation...where upon they will laugh and tease you...where upon you say , smiling but not necessarily polite...that i am serious and would appreciate a change in conversation...they will be floored, but will get the message at the same time your not insulting anyone....

Answer 6

Ignore her.

Answer 7

You answered your own question ...