Best way to handle racist comments (both intentional and unintentional) directed towards you?

Question

I'm Asian, BTW. While I'm not constantly bombarded with racist comments and jokes, they do come up, often in utterly tasteless and disgusting forms (such as one guy who did an impression of the hooker from Full Metal Jacket).

By the way, I'm in no way doing anything to encourage this.

Answer 1

Best way if the person is a total stranger and you are never going to see them again - probably to ignore it and move on. If it's someone you have to work with and see on a daily basis, you should calmly tell them that their behavior is not appropriate for the workplace, and then if they don't clean up their act, you may take it up with the supervisor. If it is a friend, ask them, "Are you joking?" and then if they don't knock it off, stop seeing them and try to make friends with people who are more socially aware.

Try not to get too angry - it doesn't do any good to get angry at the mentally challenged or socially retarded people.

Answer 2

If friends or acquaintances are making comments that you don't believe are intentional, perhaps you could politely let them know that they were not okay.

It sounds naive, but sometimes people say the dumbest things without even realizing what they said. If I said something that I didn't know offended a friend, I'd rather be told and not make the same mistake again.

If it's just tasteless - perhaps something like "That seemed rather tasteless to me, would you mind refraining from Asian jokes in the future?" If you are calm and polite - it's hard not to respect such a request - unless the person is just a butt, in which case best to have nothing further to do with them.

Answer 3

If someone makes an intentionally racist comment, ignore them. Those sort of people do not deserve your time of day. If someone says something that you find racially offensive, but you know that it was unintentional, just tell them. They may not even realize that the remark was racist. Being from different cultures, people have different ideas about what is offensive, and can't always be expected to know. By telling them what their remark meant to you, you are not only standing up for your right to be respected, but also helping an otherwise decent person avoid an embarrassing situation in the future.

Answer 4

Depends on the setting and a few other factors; I'll explain.
Suppose its at work:
You- "Hey I don't appreciate that comment." Then report the
comment to a supervisor.
Suppose its at school:
You- "Hey, I don't appreciate that comment." Then report the
comment to a school official.
Suppose its on the street/up close and oh so personal (and its always personal):
You- "What????" and commence kicking a&@!

Racial comments are never funny and sometimes the only way a person will learn is through tough love, or tough something.

Answer 5

I don't think people are as self-conscious about racially insensitive remarks around Asians because they're not seen as an oppressed minority. There is no Asian equivalent to Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NAACP, etc. Asians tend to be well educated and successful. None of that takes away from the fact that people have feelings and they can be offended. I think you could use those incidents as an opportunity to teach people that Asians get offended just like everyone else. Rather than being rude to them, explain that remarks like those can be painful to hear. I think you'll get your message across.

Answer 6

Though I'm white, it bothers me hearing things from others who think it's OK to be racist around me because we're the same colour.

I find the phrase "Dude, don't be a dick" tends to work. It's repremanding without sounding overly preachy or harsh (especially in cases where the comments were inintentional). If it's obviously intentional it might just be best to walk away. No point in hanging around with someone like that anyway, right?

Answer 7

I think a best way to handle a racist comment is to simply ignore it, People like that have no right to talk to you or anyone in that way. They hope that you will get mad, start swearing at them thus starting online war.
Trust me, Ive gotten my share of racist comments because I used to be fat. I simply ignored them or i asked them why do they find it entertaining to make fun of those who are different? they never respond to me and pretty much left me alone :)

Answer 8

specific, a many circumstances & lots of circumstances. by some means yet I never thought-approximately slapping them back or returning them like for like. particularly I excercise persistence & preserverance. Slapping back human beings or making use of voilance will basically upload injury on your wounds. supply admire to get respected. In case if I ask you, became previous due Saddam Hussien your maternal or paternal Uncle? Now, you will possibly want to slap me besides. Come on dude, you have inspired me to the least. it's time you ought to strengthen up. EDIT: And, specific, a huge call which you asked for.

Answer 9

Get used to living in a world where men aren't as smart or polite as they were even forty years ago. I'd say find allies who are willing to confront them with you or if you are in a corporate setting just say, "that makes me uncomfortable" to them which is code for "I wonder if I should go to the HR department about this?"

Answer 10

Just ignore it... People make white jokes at me all the time, and you know what I do? I laugh at them! I don't care what color people are or where they're from, we're all human and I know the jokes are bull**** so I just take it in stride and laugh about it.