everyday casual racism and how to approach it ?

[scarletghoul]

Racism is normal in my town and talking shit about muslims, portuguese, eastern europeans, etc, is standard conversation. Words like 'paki' are used all the time, and 'nigger' is more taboo but is still used sometimes. These words are rarely challenged. My town is vast majority white british, with immigrant populations particularly eastern europeans and portuguese increasing a lot over the past decade.

I'm making this thread because I'm interested in hearing what its like in other communities, and also how you think this issue should be approached in everyday life. It would be impossible to stop every conversation to correct and educate people whenever the word Paki or Nigger or Pikey or Chink or whatever was used. I don't use the words myself and conspicuously don't laugh at racist jokes, but I'm never sure when its right to intervene with other people. When someone is explicitly going on about a certain group of people i can often challenge them as its the subject of the conversation, but what if its just a part of everyday banter.

[Red Future]

Well im in South Yorkshire so not too far away and from my experience visiting places like Norfolk is yes you do tend to find prejudice in more traditionalist rural areas ,basically i have been approaching this in a similar manner to you.You say that thre is an increasing "immigrant" population i guess this has encouraged nativism in your neighborhood and racism with the idea that the other community is "somehow" different and "unbritish".Its difficult to intervene in casual racism like this but the best you could do is emphasize how people should be tolerant to other ethnic groups and respect them.

Hope that helps

[Quail]

If somebody uses a word like "paki" around me, I do tend to call them out on it. A lot of people just seem to use it without even thinking that it might be offensive, so I usually just tell them that it isn't okay to use racial slurs in casual conversation. I tend to hear it most in Derbyshire (where I grew up) than at uni though. The town I grew up in is mostly white and there are very few immigrants.

[Catmatic Leftist]

You should set them straight the best you can; repressed feelings help no one. However, there's pretty much nothing you can do to remedy the most implicit and subtle types of discrimination. The only way to solve that is mass education.

[Magón]

Depends on my mood. Sometimes I laugh, and then punch; sometimes I punch, then laugh; or sometimes it's just punch and punch again.

[scarletghoul]

Depends on my mood. Sometimes I laugh, and then punch; sometimes I punch, then laugh; or sometimes it's just punch and punch again.
For a taster of the practicality of this, try punching every person you come across who uses the word '*****' in conversation.

[scarletghoul]

If somebody uses a word like "paki" around me, I do tend to call them out on it. A lot of people just seem to use it without even thinking that it might be offensive, so I usually just tell them that it isn't okay to use racial slurs in casual conversation. I tend to hear it most in Derbyshire (where I grew up) than at uni though. The town I grew up in is mostly white and there are very few immigrants.
Thing is its so common it would be just ridiculous to call people out every time they talk about "going to the paki shop" or whatever. I do, occasionally, but its not possible all the time

And yes firetruckyouth of course the only way to permanently deal with this is mass education and cultural revolution

[Quail]

Thing is its so common it would be just ridiculous to call people out every time they talk about "going to the paki shop" or whatever. I do, occasionally, but its not possible all the time

And yes firetruckyouth of course the only way to permanently deal with this is to educate people.
There's also the issue that they don't really care enough to change. My brother still says "paki shop" all the time no matter how many times I tell him it's not acceptable :(

[Lobotomy]

Thing is its so common it would be just ridiculous to call people out every time they talk about "going to the paki shop" or whatever. I do, occasionally, but its not possible all the time

I don't think it's really practical to call people out on it every single time they do it. If you bring it up too much, they probably won't take you seriously and write you off as an overly sensitive "liberal" or something. I think it's best to pull them aside once when they do it and it seems appropriate to call them out on it. Politely explain why you think what they are saying is ignorant. Maybe they'll listen and maybe they won't.

[Magón]

For a taster of the practicality of this, try punching every person you come across who uses the word '*****' in conversation.

Depends on how they use it. If it's just something like, "Oh it was a serious ***** getting here," or, "Oh my girlfriend/boyfriend was in a *****y mood." I don't care. Even if it's something like, "Oh quit being such a ***** all the time," or something like that to someone they know, I don't care all that much. I even use ***** like that from time to time, depending.

On the other hand, if someone says something like, "Oh look at that *****," when referring to a random chick on the street, then I'm likely to punch them or tell them what's up.

I don't usually get mad when someone calls me personally, a Wet-back, Spick, or something like that, because to me personally, Wet-back is a meaningless term to use at me, and Spick is just a lazy term as I see it. But I'm willing to stand up for those who the terms might offend because they might have come "illegally", or whatever.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I live in Tory land, in the south of England, and I hear casual racism very regularly. I try and not hang around with people who are racist, but sometimes I have to (Uni, local pubs etc), and it can either land me in big arguments or I can just try and ignore it. The same goes with sexism and homophobia and all the rest of it, it goes hand in hand with a depressed town, which was once industrial, and the large amount of ignorant workers, many unemployed nowadays, who vote Tory and have very ignorant opinions.

So yeah, when the situation arises, I either confront the offender or try to ignore, but as I said I try and distance myself from people with those views and spend my time with people who aren't like that. Its very prevalent though, and you could devote your whole life to arguing with racists in local bars and stuff. I'd rather not.

[MapOfYourHead]

The power of non-verbal communication is a fantastic deterrent to a majority of this "casual racism", and even more so when the ill-spoken words are condemned by peers.

We have the ability to pick-up on extremely subtle body language queues which can change the perception of right and wrong in said situations. Yet of course there are various exceptions to this, and it is not always the best approach to take, but I have seen it to be very effective in smaller social situations where the casual racism can come to light.

[Rousedruminations]

I know what you mean, the continual banter of me being a dark skinned color Srilankan at work compared to the lighter breded North Indians, was tolerable at the start. Initially, it was a 'Joke' and i took it by my side, yet its continuity, week after week was frustrating, even after i warned them to take it easy on me or to at least cease those types of jocular moments for a while. After not listening to me, i made a complaint and it was dealt in a proper manner, yet its always brimming on the surface. I don't believe it should be used for banter as well as most are oblivious to the sensitivities of others and their past experiences of racial discrimination or prejudice. Sexism and homophobia is prevalent at work also, yet with a proper method of integration for those who have a different orientation when it comes love and sex, the more people will have to inevitably accept them for who they are. I don't think racism will ever die out, there are those out there who still adamantly hold on to eugenics and the race theory for society. Even worse migrating Indians overseas still hold on to the belief of the caste system. I tried arguing with a homophob at work, and posed a devisive question, whether he would orphan his child if he was gay ? .. he responded by saying he would ask him/her to leave and never contact him again ? unbelieveable.. love will always be limitless no matter how different, one is to another kind.

[Aeval]

Racism is normal in my town and talking shit about muslims, portuguese, eastern europeans, etc, is standard conversation. Words like 'paki' are used all the time, and 'nigger' is more taboo but is still used sometimes. These words are rarely challenged. My town is vast majority white british, with immigrant populations particularly eastern europeans and portuguese increasing a lot over the past decade.

I'm making this thread because I'm interested in hearing what its like in other communities, and also how you think this issue should be approached in everyday life. It would be impossible to stop every conversation to correct and educate people whenever the word Paki or Nigger or Pikey or Chink or whatever was used. I don't use the words myself and conspicuously don't laugh at racist jokes, but I'm never sure when its right to intervene with other people. When someone is explicitly going on about a certain group of people i can often challenge them as its the subject of the conversation, but what if its just a part of everyday banter.

My dad's started doing this thing with some of his mates' kids where whenever they use a derogatory term based on someone's race, sexuality, etc (it's normal "gay", they call literally everything they don't like "gay", but I've heard them say "paki" a few times too) he just starts using their name in the same way. Normally everyone else there will start laughing and joining in too thinking it's just banter and the person you're doing it to starts getting more uncomfortable and shuts up. I've seen him do it to adults too and it's worked with them but it's all jokey jokey so it doesn't come across as him being the misog or being over sensitive or whatever, and then people who perhaps use words without thinking about how they might effect someone else can see how it feels.... I dunno, maybe you could try doing something like that?

[The Grey Blur]

get the fuck out of there.

[#FF0000]

People tend to ease up on the racial slurs when you punch them in the fucking face.

But that isn't really an option a lot of the time so, yeah just go for a disgusted or very deadpan look. My favorite thing to do is usually say "Oh, what's that mean exactly?" and grill them like that. It is hella fun.

[Decolonize The Left]

Racism is normal in my town and talking shit about muslims, portuguese, eastern europeans, etc, is standard conversation. Words like 'paki' are used all the time, and 'nigger' is more taboo but is still used sometimes. These words are rarely challenged. My town is vast majority white british, with immigrant populations particularly eastern europeans and portuguese increasing a lot over the past decade.

I'm making this thread because I'm interested in hearing what its like in other communities, and also how you think this issue should be approached in everyday life. It would be impossible to stop every conversation to correct and educate people whenever the word Paki or Nigger or Pikey or Chink or whatever was used. I don't use the words myself and conspicuously don't laugh at racist jokes, but I'm never sure when its right to intervene with other people. When someone is explicitly going on about a certain group of people i can often challenge them as its the subject of the conversation, but what if its just a part of everyday banter.

I think it's best to confront the individual in some manner, but smartest to do so in a non-political manner. Once you toss a load of politics into a casual situation, shit gets heated quick and no one's listening anymore.

Best to use your judgment and appear disgusted, scoff and shake your head or something. This will cause the individual to be aware that you disapprove of their use of these terms but won't make them feel like they're being lectured.

As the symbol said in the post above, throw a look at them and if you want ask a simple question.

- August

[Kalifornia]

Try punching someone for saying paki even though if you say something they will use physical force to shut you up.

People must live in some quaint places where racists are not bullys who beat the shit out of you for "mouthing off"

People act all badass on here, but when it comes down to it, unless the racist is a dweeb or around the same fighting level as you, you wouldnt say anything.

[Triple A]

Racism is normal in my town and talking shit about muslims, portuguese, eastern europeans, etc, is standard conversation. Words like 'paki' are used all the time, and 'nigger' is more taboo but is still used sometimes. These words are rarely challenged. My town is vast majority white british, with immigrant populations particularly eastern europeans and portuguese increasing a lot over the past decade.

I'm making this thread because I'm interested in hearing what its like in other communities, and also how you think this issue should be approached in everyday life. It would be impossible to stop every conversation to correct and educate people whenever the word Paki or Nigger or Pikey or Chink or whatever was used. I don't use the words myself and conspicuously don't laugh at racist jokes, but I'm never sure when its right to intervene with other people. When someone is explicitly going on about a certain group of people i can often challenge them as its the subject of the conversation, but what if its just a part of everyday banter.



I am portuguese and I must say that most people here feel so superior that none thinks that ourselfs will be victims of racism in northern european countries.


In the other hand the trotzkyst party has suported imigrants and minorities in the last years.

Here people rarely use the world "black" and most people will use the word "nigger" in informal conversations.
Faggot or even gay is one of the worst insults you can throw at other people.
Gipsy equals thief, and when you want to say someone is dishonest you can call that person a gipsy.



People will swear they are not racist but most people will have some kind of racist behaviour.

[progressive_lefty]

Well I'm from Australia so I'm pretty familiar with casual racism and 'respectable people' using insulting language. I think to some degree you do have to ignore it, unless it's really in your circle of friends. I have no problem confronting a close friend that may use an insulting term for a minority or gay. Or if it gets to full on, I start avoiding that person. I have a good friend who seems ok, but when he ever hangs around with a certain friend of his, he starts whinging about 'fags' or about 'immigrants'..

I know personally for me, I can't handle watching American films, because they always seems to be littered with racial stereotypes. And even when they're not littered with racial stereotypes, there littered with other forms of stereotypes (geeks, cheerleaders, losers, good-looking people..). The year could be 2011, and none of these things seem to change.

I think you also have to think about the positives. I have racial diverse friends, and if they ever bring up any grievances they've had(ie. moments when they feel like their appearances has mattered), I try not to make such a big deal out of it, or add my own opinion on it. Just to lessen then burden on them. Everyone in society could be racist but it's important not to encourage people to think they are. We will always need to know how to confront these people, or to ignore them.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

good thread
i think we all face this problem
the way that i've found is to do so indirectly
perhaps because that's the way brazilians confront each other in general
very much unlike americans who are very blunt and direct compared to us
so i seldom admonish the people im talking to
instead i denounce the bigotry and elitism of others
or of films, television, etc
or highlight the fact that i'm highly bothered by such commentary whenever class or gender or race reations come up in conversation
it works, actually

[Hoplite]

Racism is normal in my town and talking shit about muslims, portuguese, eastern europeans, etc, is standard conversation. Words like 'paki' are used all the time, and 'nigger' is more taboo but is still used sometimes. These words are rarely challenged. My town is vast majority white british, with immigrant populations particularly eastern europeans and portuguese increasing a lot over the past decade.

I'm making this thread because I'm interested in hearing what its like in other communities, and also how you think this issue should be approached in everyday life. It would be impossible to stop every conversation to correct and educate people whenever the word Paki or Nigger or Pikey or Chink or whatever was used. I don't use the words myself and conspicuously don't laugh at racist jokes, but I'm never sure when its right to intervene with other people. When someone is explicitly going on about a certain group of people i can often challenge them as its the subject of the conversation, but what if its just a part of everyday banter.
I think it's important to distinguish between true racism and people just throwing out words they hear other people using.

If someone is just casually throwing the words out without any real hate behind them, a friendly sarcastic jab in front of the group is often enough to shut it down for everyone. Dont be nasty about it, keep the humor, you aren't trying to insult anyone.

If someone is genuinely racist, there isnt much you can do. People who are genuinely racist are generally very set in that way of thinking and trying to dislodge that is difficult, often much more of an undertaking than a single person could do. Ask them to not talk that way while you are around and do so in front of others; this creates an idea in the group that this kind of language is not positive and they may begin discouraging it on their own without you being there.

You also need to change your own language. Admonishing others about their speech while using the same type of language is not a good way to be taken seriously. But it sounds as though you are already trying to do that.