Serious Question: were you ever at ease with your racism when younger?

[Taverner]

Note, Im not saying "were you ever racist" simply because I feel all people are racist to some extent, and its more a matter of being OK with your racism, or striving to change your thoughts and actions.

Anyway, were you ever more racist previously?

I used to be, in High School. Used all kinds of slurs and epithets. People knock the political correctness of the 90's, but it was through that trend that I was able to view my own racism and decide to make a change.

How about you?

[jpgray]

1. I used to be so terrified about being racist it became racist

Seriously! Condescension that comes from pity, and the sort of "Aw, how does it feel to be a problem?" mentality it projects can be pretty offensive--of course this was years ago when I was in jr. high and such. :D

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. It wasn't a matter of 'being OK' with it

but of being ignorant to its real meaning and effects.

But, yeah. When I was a teenager, I thought it was okay because I didn't really think those things. I had a good friend in high school who was black, and sometimes I'd drop an 'N' on him in a joking manner. I thought, hey, I'm making fun of the word, so it means I'm not racist.

Until the day he politely but firmly told me I'd pushed the envelope.

We learn, y'know?

[YankeyMCC]

3. I have to say No

And I don't want to sound like I have some sort of superiority complex :) Because I certainly have had and still have many failings. But surprisingly I was never comfortable with racism.

You're right I think in that all people have racist tendencies, thoughts, biases, etc...I certainly can't claim to be color blind but somehow I always recognized the immorality of not treating people equally based on color or ethnicity etc...

I say somehow and "surprisingly" because I grew up surrounded by a lot of racism. My friends and family would often tell racist jokes and I even witnessed some 'friends' express violent ideas about minorities. I even kept the fact that I was once mugged from my friends and family for a long time because I was afraid of the reaction because the muggers happened to be black.

One of my failings was that when I was younger I usually didn't do anything more than remain silent when the jokes were told. Now when I hear such things I speak up.

I've had to have some stern talks with my mother about watching what she says around my son.

I don't do enough to help my fellow man, I'm not giving enough, or doing as much as I should in my community, I can be impatient and even distant but I can at least say I managed even with all the racism around me to have enough sense to recognize it was immoral.

[jrandom421]

4. Never have been and never will be

After growing up with mom and dad's, aunts and uncles, telling stories and showing photos of the internment camp, I never will be at ease with racism, my own or anyone else's.