Can a white person be racist without trying?

Question

I have a few white friends. All of them are cool, but I sware. Occasionally one of them will say something that borders on racism, but I just never know.

Example, white friends assume I am an expert on rap music, or that Im a fan of Will Smith.

Are my friends racist?
Should I tell them?

I've never said anything before, it usually seems pointless to ruin the good time were having, but I just wonder if I should check they azz.

dont get too attached to the one example, there are many, and some of them much more subtle.

Answer 1

I wouldn't say racist in the malevolent sense.

People sometimes form their expectations based on what they learn early in life... sometimes those expectations (stereotypes) are accurate... many times, they're not.

Weird Al Yankovic released a humorous song/music video entitled "White and Nerdy" where he capitalizes on all kinds of "white stereotypes". Clearly, they must exist among non-whites, or his video would have been unintelligible (much less funny) to all who watch it. But I wouldn't call the video's content malevolent racism.

Your friends are probably very mistaken in their assumption. You could just tell them that you're not interested in rap music, and that you're not a fan of Will Smith. You might tell them more about you, let them get to know you, or maybe invite them somewhere and just show them what you're into.

Even if you were a fan of those things, I believe it is alright to accept and acknowledge that there are differences among cultures that we should be able to acknowledge without fear of being called a "racist". Apparently, it's considered bigoted to make reference to them, but I disagree.

Answer 2

Nope, and nope. The human brain works by making associations. When you flip a light switch you EXPECT the lights to turn on.

Another example would be if you had $50 to bet on the outcome of a basketball game (one on one.) One player is a short, white guy. The other player is a tall, African-American guy. You don't have any other information about the players. Who do you bet on? If you wouldn't pick the tall, African-American guy you're a fool. That's because if you look at the demographic of the NBA, nearly ALL the players are tall, African-American guys. That's not racism, it's a FACT. It's not racism to notice it either. The same for rap music; most of the artists are African-American. If you don't know anything else about someone, you make assumptions.

It sounds like your white friends simply don't know you well enough to be familiar with your tastes in music or knowledge in actors. That's all. I'm sure that YOU make associations as well about other people, and you don't even realize it.

Answer 3

No, they aren't necessarily racist, but sometimes people say stupid things or assume things. Has nothing to do with skin color. people assume things based on how people present themselves and dress all the time. Relax. Take things with a grain of salt, unless it proves to be more serious.

It sounds innocent enough, I don't really have too much info to go on here. Out and out bigotry is a different matter. If they were bigots, they probably wouldn't be friendly to you at all. It's sort of like an assumption that blondes are dumb or all gay men can redecorate at the drop of a hat. Or that white folks can't dance. These things I don't really consider racist, just stereotypes. All groups have stereotypes. You can't take so much offense to everything. I have had black friends think that I like country and western music because I am white (?) It happens. You may have said something that they assumed also meant that you liked something that you don't. Just ask them why they think you like rap (or whatever) and see what their reaction is.

Answer 4

You strengthen a sturdy aspect. White human beings do seize hell unfairly for very virtually something they say even as human beings my ethnicity typically get a free pass, yet do you should apply Chris Rock as an social gathering of a function sort? he's also stated that "in uncomplicated words white human beings can take income of discomfort" in a unmarried of his monologues. he's notorious for concerning white human beings as -- properly the different be conscious for saltines. once you're going to cope with a venture have a glance at between the largest substances. he's been declaring those issues for years and human beings were brushing off it as jokes. this is the actual venture. Whites opt to offer up allowing different individuals to cause them to the butt of jokes. call for appreciate , isolate and ostracize those who mistreat you or you'd be speaking about this 20 years from now.

Answer 5

It sounds like ignorance to me, not racism. You forget that you have a good handle on the white "culture" and mentality because that is what you see every day living in a western country. Your friends obviously like you, but they don't have your advantage in this sense. Where I live, there are no black people, so I think I'd just make assumptions based on sterotypes if I made friends with a black person. They weren't trying to be offensive, which is what racism is, but maybe you could educate them in a less direct way by showing them what black people are really like.

Answer 6

How is that racist?
Stop yelling "RACIST" at everything. That's why white folks are scared to hang around us. They think they'll say something offensive accidently.

What yuor friend said was stereotypical. Have you ever assumed that they liked country or hated movies featuring mainly blacks or couldn't dance? Does that make you racist?

Whenever they assume your a fan of Will Smith or something, just be like "No, I am not" if you really aren't. No need to make a big deal out of it.

ANYONE can say something offensive without trying. But that doesn't make them racist!

Answer 7

I think just about anyone can be racist when they aren't trying to be. I would point out to them that just because you are of another race, doesn't mean that you fit into the "stigma" that may come along with that. You are just a person who may or may not like Rap or Will Smith. Your skin color doesn't determine who you are as a person. I don't think your friends are necessarily racist, only not thinking.

Answer 8

I think it is a world problem of stereotyping all black people and many other stereotypes.For example white guys can be into Hip Hop and be cool but a black guy will listen to Heavy Metal in hiding.
People should just learn a Human being is just that, a Human being with free conscience.

Answer 9

To begin... let's not confuse ignorance with racism. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined racism as prejudice plus power. Racism affects your life, livlihood and family. Example: When the government enforced that we, black people, were not human. They killed us legally for looking at their women. And such...

Your friends are just ignorant as to what is approapriate to say to you or around you. Do not call them racist. They have no power over your life. That is a VERY strong term. It's up to you to let them know what is good and right. I went to a white college and they thought I was expert on what black people did and felt. They soon realized that I was just me with my own like and dislikes.

Let them know that you don't represent all blacks. They'll understand that because they don't represent all whites. I don't think they will hate you or be offended by you voicing your valid and important opinion. Besides, if you don't speak up how will they know what the rest of us blacks think..ha, ha.

Answer 10

You are in a position were you can educate these people without fighting. You should make them see that their pre-conceived ideas aren't necessarily in line with reality.
Don't forget that it's easier to stereotype than to take the time to find out the truth, and by being silent you indicate acceptance of stereotypes.