I am racist. Can i change that?

Question

I don't particularly like southern black people, since i live in southern louisiana. They seem so hateful and when you are in a room with them, it kinda makes me feel like something drastic is going to happen. I know that not all black people are like that and some are really really nice. I want to know if i can help change that so i can feel better around them, for my own sake.

I have been harrassed, threatened, and i been mauled because i was playing with someone else! Do you call that HARRASSMENT?

Answer 1

Yes, you can change this, and congratulations on trying.
You say you want to do this for your own sake, and that's a good start. One day, maybe you'll have empathy, and that will change a lot of things. You can never walk a mile in others' shoes... but you can try to see some things as scars on their hearts, not weapons pointed at you.
Racism, and any belief, is based on automatic thoughts. We make assumptions and draw conclusions under our own awareness, the way we take steps on the sidewalk without planning them.
Changing the way you approach people of another race means you have to slow down, pay attention to your thoughts, and decide what new ones you will have. And act accordingly.
Develop patience in your personality, if you happen not be patient already. You're going to need it, for this task, for others, and for yourself.
Prepare yourself to run into "black" people, on small levels first. Imagine you are going o McDonald's. (I'm going to assume that you think "they" let their kids go wild in public, for the sake of example.) There is a woman on line in front of you, and her two little kids are running around being obnoxious. Remind yourself that there are undisciplined parents of undisciplined children everywhere.
Imagine that at the counter, there is a cashier who was friendly, or at least not rude (nowadays, that's asking a lot from anyone, anywhere!). This person did an efficient job, on top of that. Imagine yourself actually looking at this person (who is black, by the way), and smiling through a "Thank you".
Imagine noticing the good things that people of color do. We all tend to be aware of things that confirm our beliefs, not the things that contradict them.
Actively look for the good in people.
And if there is a lot of social unrest under the surface in your area, then get out of Louisiana. It is poisoning you. I'm a Yankee, you know. A formerly semi-urban New York Yank. (Long Island is not really all that suburban in mindset.) Things are bad up here, but not all that bad.
Good Luck to you, and to all those people whose lives you change with a heartfelt smile!

Answer 2

I just think the reason for you not liking the southern black people is because you didnt have a good experience with them, they basically gave you a bad taste, and ofcourse that is hard to change but change can happen any day.

I dont think you are racist, because you understand that not all are alike that this is only a certain social group you happen to bump into.

I will try to give an example of myself to hopefully answer your question. I sometimes get in a group where i notice i dont like the way they treat me, or i dont like the way they treat others.

This is because our values and cultures are different , we were taught differently. There are some people who are rude and talk in your face, but that is the way they were brought up as to be normal. To them that is not being rude.

So my suggestion is treat them like they treat you, or distance yourself.

I usually distance myself because I see it as wrong and hurtful, so i dont want to do this to the next person, because i see it as wrong and hurtful in my values and in my culture.

It is hard to act like one and not becoming one. But if you have no choice and you need to live in that area. Then I treating them like they treat you would be your option.

You could also go by the option of learning their culture, get an understanding of why they do certain things, so that at least you know how to live around them. And you know why certain behaviors take place and you would feel a bit safer.

But I would recommend if you could afford distancing yourself as much as possible, because at the end of the day your health is important , your happiness is important, and no one will bring that for you unless you do it for yourself.

Unfortunately the world is so cruel, that we should start getting greedy about ourselves, and think what is best for us.

Good luck

Answer 3

I believe that anyone can change. Some changes are more difficult than others. The first step is to see that you have an issue to deal with. You have made this step. Now, you must find a process to promote the change you seek. Perhaps reading about the civil war movement or developing a acquaintance with a member of the ethnic group would be a good first step in this change process. I wish you the best.

Answer 4

I don't think you are a racist, but just annoyed, I'm half African-American and I can't stand them hateful, ignorant, ghetto type people as well, not because I'm a racist, but because they are a disgrace to the African race. Not all African Americans from the south are like that though. I'm sure if you came around some decent, mature, civilized african americans you wouldn't have a problem.

Answer 5

Yes, you can. And the way to get there is through education and new experiences. I recommend that you volunteer in an area that has a high number of those with whom you have a problem.

Answer 6

Racism is part of your personality and personality CAN ALWAYS CHANGE. Everyday, we are affected by events that constantly shape us. Identity is not who we were since our birth, it's what we have become due to the certain epochs that came into our life; personal epochs that have huge impacts in the way we live and the way we think.

Answer 7

Race shouldn’t make a difference in people’s lives. But it is known that you can't go to heaven with hatred in your heart. You don't have to like the things black do. But you can give it a try to like us.

Answer 8

People are all different, try not to judge a book by it's cover, but if you run into an ******, they are ******* no matter what race, creed, color, or sex they are. Keep an open mind and you will find that good people come in every race, creed, color, and sex too.

Answer 9

Yes, you can change. How? Easy. Choose to change. Choose to like them. Reasons? Well, if you want a reason, then you choose your reasons. Everyone has good sides. It sounds easier said than done, but it's not as hard as you think.

Answer 10

I am racist against Americans because of a few people affecting my concept of the norm. I was watching the great race and they were in Canada. One of the girls asked their partner if they knew how to ask for directions in the Canadian native tongue. I could of died! How naive.

So if the gross generalizations I have witnessed are untrue of all Americans then it is plausible your generalizations are untrue too.

Maybe you need to make friends with a trustworthy black person. To see if you can develop faith in one of them???