Is it better to openly mock or completely ignore bigots?

[armyowalgreens]

Poll question: Is it better to openly mock or completely ignore bigots?

Please explain your stance

[Chulanowa]

Mock the SHIT out of them

Put the lights on them and demolish them. Ignoring them is the same as encouraging them

[Name removed]

9. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Number23]

48. Chula, you've done a fabulous job of putting some lights on a few folks here

who have been all too quick and proud to display their bigot-esque tendencies. Well done! :thumbsup:

Given the choice between mocking and ignoring, I'll have to choose mock. But I'd actually rather cuss them the F*CK out, personally.

[lefty2000]

58. What would Ghandi Do?

Would that be in character?

[Downtown Hound]

1. Most of the time I'd say it's better to shut them down

But sometimes, attempting to do so is exactly what the bigot wants, and it's better not to play their game.

[omega minimo]

2. You mean on DU?

[armyowalgreens]

4. I mean anywhere.

[omega minimo]

7. If someone is being bigoted and it's possible to let them know that is unacceptable to you

bearing witness is important. If you remain silent, you are complicit -- they assume you "agree."

[jobycom]

3. I just like to try to convert them.

Tell them they are wrong, question their beliefs, get them in a dialog. I get no satisfaction out of winning a pissing match, but it's great to hear someone say "I never thought of it that way before."

[TheBigotBasher]

45. Often you can not convert them

or make them see their own stupid bigotry. Sometimes, for example PUMAs, the ring leader (Darra$h Murphy) does it for money. Hate sells.

[lonestarnot]

5. I called out a stupid bus stop sign runner 'STUPID,' Why would I tolerate a bigot?

[CurtEastPoint]

6. I remember Roseanne, on her show said 'Yeah, we'll mock you for a while then move on..

to something else.' I always that that was true! But with the GOP giving us so many choices, it will never end! Most of the time, however, they don't even know you are making fun of them. That in itself is funny, too!

[BlooInBloo]

8. Ignoring bigots = helping to perpetuate bigotry.

[TexasObserver]

10. Depends on the situation.

[Greyhound]

50. Speaking volumes. n/t

[Tim01]

11. What kind of biggots?

Unfortunately many of them have been taught by their up bringing.

What is your goal? Being hostile to them will encourage them to see you as different. They have a harder time being hostile when you are not choosing teams against them.

Of course, bigots often have a lot more respect for people who will stand up for themselves.

[Skittles]

12. to me, silence equals agreement

I bash the fuck out of 'em

[armyowalgreens]

14. But you don't kick their ass?

[Skittles]

15. HOWDY THERE

you do know they're yakking about you in another thread, no? Get the fuck over there. :D

[armyowalgreens]

23. Huh? What thread?

[Skittles]

24. LOL

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9073525

[Shell Beau]

13. I "try" to ignore, which is very hard sometimes.

I feel most times they want some kind of confrontation, and for the most part, they will not change their ways. I argued up and down one time with this guy I thought was a friend about race. He is one of the most bigoted people I have ever come across. It ended up being a huge wasted effort on my part. If I made a difference, then it would totally be worth it. Sometimes it is worth it, but most times, you come up empty and just pissed off. So, I try to ignore it and not give them any satisfaction. But there are times when it is too hard to ignore, and I go at them. That is usually when I have reached some kind of breaking point.

[bobbolink]

33. It's not about changing their sorry asses. It's about voicing what needs to be said, for others to

hear.

Silence is complicity.

If they are in a whole crowd of bigots, get the hell out fast!

[Shell Beau]

37. I try to never be complicit.

I also hate wasting my breath and getting all pissed off over someone who is a piece of shit anyway.

[bobbolink]

38. Once again... it's NOT ABOUT THEM.

It's about bystanders.

The ones with ears.

[Shell Beau]

39. Ok, no need to yell. There aren't always people around.

You have to pick your battles. If I think I can get through to someone, I will go for it. But, if I feel I am wasting my breath, then why bother. If there are others around, then hopefully they will chime in too, if it's worth it. I've wasted my breath far too often, while they sit back and enjoy the confrontation. Serves no purpose.

[bobbolink]

43. When someone rides right over what you said, as if you hadn't even spoken,

one of the responses is to SPEAK LOUDER.

[Shell Beau]

55. All right then.

You're right. I am wrong.

[Warpy]

16. I don't argue with them, I just let them have it

Bigotry should NEVER be given tacit approval!

[Stevenmarc]

17. It depends if they're armed

[C_U_L8R]

18. No prisoners !!!

The only way to defeat these rightwing turds is to sanitize them with the bright light of truth.
These liars deserve every bit of shame and ridicule that pummels down upon their blunt little heads.
Enough !!

[NMMNG]

19. Call them out every time

I don't care what lame-assed excuse they use ("religious beliefs", "raised that way", "culture" or whatever the hell). If it walks like a bigot, quacks like a bigot, etc.....

[Starry Messenger]

20. Do you mean in real life?

Or on DU? Arguing with bigots on DU just gets you TSd.

[booley]

21. Bigots assume silence means assent

Bigots often like to talk about such and such group will really be hurting when the majority rises up.

They do that because they think they are the majority.

[SmileyRose]

22. NEITHER

The best option I have found is to simply, clearly and calmly state the bigotry or prejudice is wrong and hurtful. As in "I don't agree with you and that kind of racist talk bothers me. I would prefer you keep your hate and racism to yourself whenever you are around me." or "That is a false stereotype. I know it is not true." And then move on.

Ignoring it implies agreement or consent and mocking someone for it only makes the mocker look as immature as the bigot. IMHO

[blues90]

25. Now days I just look at them odd . You aren't going to change

them anymore than you can change a caged ape with a verbal exchange.

[Brickbat]

26. Other.

[LWolf]

27. I don't think "mocking" is the same thing as "giving them hell."

I think it's certainly appropriate to be outspoken about the evils of racism.

I think that there are times that ignoring someone is the best response.

And I think that "mocking" is the mirror image of racist remarks. It's its own kind of "hating." I'd suggest that anyone who abhors racism shouldn't be willing to bully, or to direct hate, to anyone else.

You can tell someone how you feel about racism without "mocking."

[Chemisse]

28. Letting a bigotted remark slip by without a response

Is almost like giving approval to it, and it will most probably be perceived that way by the bigot.

Peer pressure is what it takes to squelch it. Be a good peer!

[Greyhound]

52. +01 n/t

[Raine]

29. Call them out, ignoring them emboldens them

they take advantage of other people's civility and spout off ... I'm sick of being civil! :grr:

[Neecy]

30. Obviously, we're supposed to ignore them

[donco6]

31. Mock, then ignore.

Tried and true - never fails.

[whatchamacallit]

32. Mocknore (nt)

[tilsammans]

34. If you mock, you go down to their level.

But do not ignore. Challenge politely. Simply ask, "Oh, really? Where did you hear that?" "Where did you get the facts to back up your opinion?" "Show me, please." etc.

That might not convert them, but it can shut them up. If it doesn't, they're hopeless. :grr:

Then you glare at them in stony silence.

[Selatius]

35. Mock them. Make them into your own personal amusement. Then point and laugh.

[Ohio Joe]

36. Other - Depends on my mood

Most of the time I'll go for mocking them but sometimes I am just not in the mood to deal with the stupid.

[Iggo]

41. I replied, then I read the replies.

(See below)

:rofl:

[Iggo]

40. Either, depending on my mood. (n/t)

[seabeyond]

42. i think it is morally wrong to keep mouth shut. why i speak out on sexist thread, even though i

dont want to.

to keep mouth shut? i think of germany and how the normal, ordinary person allowed that to happen. keeping mouth shut.

i think that is a greater wrong then the ignorance itself that allows the bigotry. to know better, and not say anything is to me, everything about who i am. cowardly to not speak out.

and no, i dont think mockery is the answer either.

[Maru Kitteh]

44. Mock loudly. Silence is injustice.

[ecstatic]

46. The effectiveness of your response

is largely determined by whether or not you are included in the group the person is bigoted against. If you are, kill the bigot with class. If you're not, then go the "openly mock" route.

[SidDithers]

47. Mock the shit out of them...

"Mockery is an important social tool for squelching stupidity. At least that’s what I tell people after I mock them. Or to put it another way, I’ve never seen anyone change his mind because of the power of a superior argument or the acquisition of new facts. But I’ve seen plenty of people change behavior to avoid being mocked." - Scott Adams

Sid

[me b zola]

49. Point, laugh

Expose them.

[Greyhound]

51. Ignoring them brought us Raygun. n/t

[shadowknows69]

53. Other, but I plead the fifth on the grounds it may incriminate me with the thought police.

[Toasterlad]

54. If You Don't Let People Know Their Behavior Is Unacceptable, They'll Keep on Doing It

[bobbolink]

59. That's true, but some people can't be reached. It's reaching the others around who hear it that

makes the difference.

There's a tipping point......when people hear often enough that saying stuff like that is WRONG.

Just like on DU, they will deny and justify for a long time, until finally the pendulum swings.

Preferably over their head. :)

[tekisui]

56. Ridicule them. They can't be reached, but they can be mocked.

It is one of my favorite pastimes. So easy, too.

[lefty2000]

57. Other

Ignoring bigots is dangerous and mocking them is counterproductive.

There are degrees of bigotry. They all feel aggrieved in some way and do not consider themselves bigots. The best policy is to argue with their underlying assumptions, their sense of grievance. These people usually have suffered legitimate injuries, but they tend to blame the wrong people or institutions. Many of my relatives blame liberals, blacks, hispanics, and even jews for real injuries inflicted on them by corporations, the rich, and their republican dogs.

Socrates held that all evil derives from ignorance. If we exclude the insane, who are not culpable, I presume to agree with Socrates.

[Generic Brad]

60. Shame the hell out of them by exposing them

They only have power if we give it to them. If we let them hide in the shadows where they think they are safe, they will keep spouting their crap. Call them out and don't give them mercy.