How do you deal with racial slurs?

Question

Being asian american and a bartender I've dealt with many indifferences from all backgrounds and I don't hold any grudges against any race, creed, or religion. I want to know if you have encountered any in your experiences and how you've dealt with it.

Answer 1

I gargle before saying anything.

Answer 2

depends on the context a little,
for instance the use of the "N word" to describe any black people can be offensive if used against someone especially from a different race, however many rap artists can use the same word in a different context.
for me, I couldn't really care less, I don't really see what difference it makes. I can understand how people would become upset being the target of a racial slur but sometimes the race in question are just as guilty of perpetuating the use of the slur.

Answer 3

You should just let it go and know that people who make those comments are drunken fools and ignorant jerks. Cultural differences are what makes life wonderful and interesting and people who don't see that are not worth wasting time worrying about.

I'm white but I grew up in a black area back when racism was blatant. It was sad to see what my black friends had to go through. I'm glad my mom didn't make us move to the white suburbs like all of the other white folks were doing. I had the advantage of diversity and it was great (sometimes it was hard because people would judge me for being white, but I could understand that because of societal views at the time).

There are good and bad people out there of all races and religions and backgrounds...

I'm sorry you've had to deal with people like that. I hope you don't let it get you down or let it change you.

Answer 4

People slur all the time. Its stupid. To me there is a difference between a slur or a misconception of words. Slurs are those things that people do like ya'll and hurr and na mean, its retarted and it only shows your stupidity in society. Face the facts, society will no matter what only accept you for what society wants. And society does not want an idiot. A misconception of words would be like a person who is foreign who is learning the language. Give them a break. At least they are trying to learn. Unlike the mexicans who walk around with their 12 year old sons or daughters having them as their personal translater at hardees and the doller general.

Answer 5

I went to a predominantly black public school from elementary school through high school. I was constantly called things like cracker, honky, and white-boy. I also think the term redneck is a racial slur, btw. As a white person (or according to your nomenclature, European-American), there's not much you can do about it b/c of the way society is today. But if you're thick-skinned, it doesn't matter one way or the other.

Answer 6

I try to see if they had a bad experience before. I don't usually take racial slurs any differently from other insults. Try to see what was bothering them. Most importantly don't worry about what other people think. That will be the crack in your armor every time.

Answer 7

Thankfully, I haven't yet, but If did come in contact with a racial slur I would laugh. I refuse to let someone that knows nothing about me get next to me like that. After all, they are the ones with the problem, not me.

Answer 8

I experience that a lot. I tend to stay quiet and certainly not join in. I figure that's just the kind of person they are and there's no use objecting anyway because they probably can't be changed. I think maybe my disapproving silence will make them reconsider next time –– but "I'm not holding my breath".

Answer 9

I, myself, am caucasian, but am married to an african american man, and have a biracial daughter. I also live in the south so I get the racial remarks every now and then.....and Im sure you know which ones Im talking about.....but usually I just laugh at them! Or I remind them that this isnt 1950 anymore....you know, stuff like that! I usually can come up with something "witty" when Im faced with a racist!!

Answer 10

It hasnt happend to me for a while, but when it did ( grade school and highschool) i usually just ignored it. I always thought " why give them the satisfaction of having it bother me?" All they are ever looking for is a reaction.. Just dont give them one. My grammy, bless her heart, always tells me to kill them with kindness.... Ive done that and it works on some, but not all.
I figure people like that dont deserve my time or attention, so ignore it.

Answer 11

PLENTY times I have encountered this. Depending on my mood I just ignore them. No sense in feeding into it, because outright racial slurs are looking for just that. Ignorance is just that, ignorance and they will have to answer for it at one time or another.