How can you teach someone to be tolerant?

Question

My brother is racist and keeps making rude jokes about how Muslims are terrorists and black people are "n*******s" How can I teach him better??

He's about 20, my parents are very tolerant (my dad's a little too conservative) I think he learned it from his "drinking" buddies when he went to that one school...

I don't think he's actually racist, it's just that he thinks that it's funny.

Answer 1

Take him to Dr. Phil, unless your parents help you which apparently they're not... I don't know what you can accomplish on your own.

Answer 2

I am a non-practicing Muslim of a devout/conservative Muslim father (he traveled twice to Mecca for his pilgrimmage).
The best way is to talk to him, kindly and non-judging. Remember, his weakness lies with his misconceptions. Without coming off as preachy, you may gently expose him to English-speaking Al-Jazeera, which is centered in Washington DC. Most Americans think that Al-Jazeera is not "allowed" in the US, but this is false. At any rate, find out where the program is held and make arrangements to view this station and it programs with him.
Additionally, you may pick up an English Qu'ran and read it with him. He will get a better sense of Islam and it will open his eyes.
As far as African Americans, introduce him to one of your friends (if you have any African American friends) and have him spend time talking with them. When groups are mocked/made fun of, they're often viewed as not having a human-ness about them, and rather have only that symbol/what the group represents.
It's difficult, but knowing that though it will be impossible for you to change him, you can gingerly make positive addresses about such groups. We are all one race and we are becoming less and less, and with each generation, of "pure race". Just study your geneology and you may be pleasantly surprised just how closely related we are to one another and of all races!
I have African American cousins in the Mid West. I cannot wait to meet them soon! My family found them during our geneological search.
Cheers :)

Answer 3

how old is he, they dont learn that themselves are your parants raciests, my father was like archie bunker if u know that old show i grew up sayin n...er and all that **** and i still do im 42 now and i never say it in public but some day it will catch up with him i have slipped once and im lucky i was big enough not to get my *** kicked, tell him to stop watching the news hes probably associating all that with all the crime that is commited by african americans, now hold on african americans im not saying us whitees dont commit crime, but did u see that guy on the news a few weeks ago who beat the hell out of that 90 year old white lady for 2 bucks i mean what the hell?

Answer 4

I'm Muslim ( a convert) best way to teach him is to teach him... the choices a group makes don't mean that that individual is like the grope... the religion is beautiful but the choices are bent..

let him experience difference... :)

Answer 5

The only way he is going to learn and understand is to have him be the butt of some the "jokes". Guaranteed he will change his attitude fast.

Answer 6

You can't.