How should you deal with racism when someone calls you racist names?

Question

besides ignoring it? How to not be depressed when it happens? It makes me not want to live anymore. Any advice appreciated

Answer 1

Max: try to realise that racism is both ignorance and jealousy. Those who use racist names and remarks do so because they are insecure of their own status and jealous of your looks, behaviour, and yes brains. Another point that I used to teach to my black recruits was that once you know someone is a racist you are well and truly ahead of the game. You know exactly where you stand with such people and can use it to your advantage. A word of warning however, the one who is always very nice to you to your face (and this is especially true in employment) is the one to be wary of until you know you can thrust them completely. They are the ones who will stab you in the back and hinder your career. If you can get your hands on a very discreet tape recorder, secretly tape record anyone who is using racist remarks. With such 'evidence' you are now well ahead of that person and you have the power to do what you will with it. Again, beware, use it wisely and discreetly. So come on Max, cheer up, it is not the end of the world. I, an Irish white man, married to an Indian lady during the really hard times in the 1960's in London, came through it with flying colours. A lovely family, healthy, wealthy and full of the joys of life. And that was after having a bucket of water thrown on me and my wife when trying to find a flat. And the most degrading example: a sign on a 'flat to let' - which said 'No blacks, no dogs and no Irish'. Make you feel a little better, eh........ God bless and take care - I promise you, everything will turn out fine in the end.............

Answer 2

first off lets get something straight. I am a southerner and not all southeners are racist. I have a wife and 2 kids.I hate people who are racists,religous haters and homosexual haters. Hate breeds murder. I am a white, or caucasian, which is a bullshit word to make white sound more important.

To answer the questions 1: you can not ignore the truth, society is an honest hate monger reality if you exsist so does racism. You must try to remove yourself from the situation and move on with your life. Move if you can, but the hate will never go away,sorry. 2: See a therapist, they can help with depression. If you can afford or just find a good friend.3: You are the only one who can decide if you live or die. Killing yourself will only make the haters that more proud, they will have won. I am not a religous or spiritual person, but i feel at heart i am a decent person who tries to instill good morals in my kids. I hate society for being such a sesspool of anger. All you do is talk to someone and please don't do anything stupid like kill yourself because of morons you are too good for that.

Answer 3

Well not living is going a bit far because of some ignorant people.

Disabled people , people of different races, of different relgions all encounter racism, as do people who are gay.

Yes it's depressing to think in this day and age that they are still such uneducated, unhappy people who to make themselves feel better or look bigger that they have to use racist slurs.

Just look em straight in the eye and say I don't appreciate that remark, that's racist and really I expected better of you. Then walk away not in a slouch, but proudly.

Feel nothing but pity for these people, they're unhappy with themselves so they have to take it out on you. Their lives aren't over yet and they may one day experience racism from someone and it won't feel good.

There's always going to be people like this, not really alot you can do, other than pity them. However don't become like them either , you're better than that.

To paraphrase the late James Brown, Say it loud I'm ______ and I'm proud!

Answer 4

First, make sure you have confidence in your Maker and know that He didn't make any mistakes. Know how much God loves you and that if they insult you, they insult your Maker. Make sure you do nothing to bring a reproach upon the name of your God. If you are whole and complete in Jesus Christ, you will be able to endure it and be the better person. Then you can hold your head up high because you are a child of the King and God is no respector of persons. Small minds insult others without just or reasonable cause. If you live a clean pure holy life with a conscience void of offense towards God and man you'll need not worry what others say or do. I'm assuming your definition of racism is being made fun of because of your race, NOT from indulging in gross sins which draw scorn and criticism from others. Like if you are sexually deviant, a prostitute, yes you are still a human being but you have a choice to change how you are living. Respect is earned with people but not always justly given. Being told you are a sinner who needs salvation and deliverance through Jesus Christ is not in any way shape form or fashion racism or it's equivalent. Let God be your Judge and theirs but you keep your nose clean.

Answer 5

This happens to me a lot and I just try to remember that the people who say that kinda stuff just dont kno any better, and are just ignorant. its hard to not get upset but just think about the fact that they probably do not really kno what they are saying and only said it because they are not smart enough to think of anything better to say.
And about being depressed what i try to do is just make sure to not pass racist comments around, when my friends are making comments or something I dont join in. Even though its a little after the fact I feel somewhat better that I'm not perpetuating the cycle.

hope that helped a little
keep ur head up, I kno how u feel

Answer 6

It's HARD to not be depressed. What you need to do is think about why it depresses you, then take the next logical process of thinking and think about the ignorance of the person who just uttered the hate and realize that they're only a product of the circumstances of their life to date, which likely isn't very good, maybe no better than that of an animal.

When you answer your question of why you're depressed about it, does the answer surface about the fact that they managed to do the damage they intended to do using that hate language? If so then you need to cultivate some self-esteem and compassion for yourself and patience with their idiocy. One must be careful, though, not to become angry yourself nor haughty in pride but a nice down the middle compassion for yourself and their ignorant mind and just move on.

May you find freedom from your suffering. _()_

Answer 7

Just realize that you were never a slave and that all those blacks who whine and complain about slavery are delusional idiots and are the reason so many people hate blacks. Well, that plus the fact that blacks make up only 12% of the total population, yet are responsible for over 50% of all violent crime. That causes people to hate blacks too. Nevertheless, ...

If you can keep your head within the confines of reality, you will find yourself NOT being lumped into the verifiable statistics of the low IQ and violence factually associated with the black race as a whole. There is NOTHING else to be done; stay within the confines of reality.

Answer 8

Turn the other cheek.It is just word.If I called you a meatloaf sandwich.Does it make it so?It is an option to except a label.An consider the source.They are making up for their down falls.Name calling is a form of scape goating.Blaming their misfortunes on others.Why do we get hit with misfortunes in life.Crap happen.I am a short guy.So I understand.I have been abused a lot.Don't let the injustices of life bring you down.

Answer 9

Let me tell you how I deal with racism:First I wait before I answer or make a statement..Then I answer with this If you feel like that so be it because I can't make you (the person making the statement)change your heart only God can.Let them know that if they judge you this way somone/somewhere will judge them with the same measure.We all have to breath and eat and use the bathroom the same way and of course we all have to die and we all look the same (dead)Just say I am going to pray for you and move on don't stay around to argue,

Answer 10

Well you could examine your own life and see what is in you.
In the right situation everyone is somewhat racist. I see it in those who are always talking about those who are racist. I haven't found anyone who is not racist to some exstint. We just need to be careful how far we let it go. It is just like anger we must control it lest it get out of hand. God put the devision between us to stop evil unity that was happening several thousand years ago. And it has worked very well since to accomplish His purposes.