How do black people deal with all the ignorance and racism against them?

Question

Sometimes someone will make a joke about my race and I get angry. How do black people deal with the ignorance and racism and not get offended?

Answer 1

wow

even many of the answers to THIS question were racist (that we deal with racism with false accusations and retaliation and such)

anyway

i deal with racism mostly by ignoring it and "that ain't easy"

but many times it is the only thing to do

you can't change the ignorant things in people's heads and trying only makes you look stupid or wastes your energy

arguing and fighting? always backfires for our people...even if we are right

i have met or seen so many kids expelled because they were just defending themselves against ugly attacks the administrations of schools failed to and should have stopped

i mean fights

a kid gets called the N word 2 or 3 times a day for a year and then gets into a fight....well HE or SHE is the one in the wrong, not the pieces of garbage doing the name calling

people (as you can see from many of the answers) feel entitled to insulting my people without retaliation

people have been executed for it (like the black lady in Old Georgia)

so any violent or argumentative response is likely to be bad on the black person

there are more subtle ways to retaliate against someone and i have employed them wherever possible

i worked at a major financial organization (in the days when i fancied myself working in the financial industry, like many in my family)

i was a top earner and this rankled many of the white males i worked with

well, they would do all manner of hateful things to me from use of derogatory terms, to leaving feces and such on my desk, to tell my bosses lies, etc

but i am smart

many of these men were clueless as to where some of their clients went or how the FTC found out certain things they were doing (or their wives and girlfriends)

every nasty thing done by them was countered by something much more damaging by me

this was before I was saved again and learned not to "take revenge" in the period where i retalated against every act against me, whether racism, sexism or whatever

but mostly racism is ignored....

in its extreme it must be reported to proper authorities and pursued

i regret not pursuing the job (and head lol) of the policeman who cavity searched me...but i was much younger and still in a conciliatory phase

the phrase "pick your battles" is very true for my people

Answer 2

The very same way that I try to deal with all the ignorance and bigotry against the disabled. We move on with our lives and try to prove them wrong in the process. You just can't let yourself be a victim.

BTW, just so you want feel alone here but the blacks are not the only race that has ever been a victim of racism or discrimination. Every race, creed, color, national origin, religion, gender, and disability status has been joked about and is a victim of some form of discrimination at one point or another, including the white race. Hard to believe, I know, but it is true. Stick around on this forum long enough and you will see exactly what I'm saying here.

Answer 3

Oh, yes. The good ol' retaliation phase. Some people get through it by being the bigger person, and some people get sucked into all the bs. Knowing my history has kept me from going out on the limb to hurt someone, honestly. My history gives me that much pride. After a while... I begin to feel like a celebrity with all the hate bashing, it just makes me even more proud to be Black. People are still trying to convince Blacks that we are the negative stereotype, etc. and there is a reason for that.

My point is just know who you are and you will not fall victim to other people's ignorance. And don't argue with these people for they have no one to argue with if you don't say anything. Remember, it is just words until they put their hands on you. Know your rights, so when the time comes you can use "their" law.

Then, when you become comfortable with who you are you can laugh AT their ignorance. You just have to believe that you are the better person.

---

Now what was so wrong about that?

Answer 4

The same way Christians or homosexuals or Mexicans do....one slur at a time.

Many do get angry, and no group is exempt from the biased criticism of another, but I try to remember this: Their insults don't reflect on me....it shows who they really are, and they may as well have I'M A STUPID BIGOTED IDIOT tatooed right across their foreheads for everyone to see. Being insulting of others is a vice that carries it's own penalties, so I don't feel the need to get offended - blatant ignorance doesn't warrant anger. If anything, it dies in the face of indifference.

Just remember "stupid is as stupid does", and if they're willing to put their stupidity out there for the whole world to see, then you don't need to take offense or try to pay them back. They are their own worst enemy.

Answer 5

Isn't that an old issue? Black, White, Asian or any other race!!, aren't we mature enough now to deal with people as what really they are not about what they look like?
Maybe you are a little bit sensitive about this issue, or maybe they made some really offended comments, but you should be open minded about the usual comments from others for you will be the only uncomfortable person along the way.

Answer 6

Just like every other cultures do, i guess..the Asians in the West, irish and scots in England, Muslims in the West, Hispanics in America, Turks in Europe, People of middle eastern origins, the 'whites' in Asia, etc. etc.strictly speaking, no cultural group is spared, and while the degree of racism varies, the best way is either ignoring them, or making them feel guilty by going the gandhian way..after all, didn't martin luther king and nelson mandela adopt them for the very reason?

Answer 7

Ignore it until someone gets in my face and then go upside someone's head with a brick. Most of the ignorance is too petty to deserve any time, energy or attention. Extreme ignorance should be dealt with swiftly and harshly with extreme and prohibitive measures so that the dumbshits know not to do it again.

Answer 8

Well, there is hardly any where I live. If there is some, I shrug it off.

Answer 9

We saw it in Jena; they deal with it by picking a white victim and beating that victim almost to death, knowing full well that Al Sharpton will come out in their defense and that they will be treated as heroes. We've seen it all play out before and we will see it again.

It's a sad commentary on reverse discrimination run amok.

Answer 10

By nearly always over-reacting to any perceived offence, whether real or imagined, and whether intentional or not. Usually violently.