STUDY: RACIST LANGUAGE COMMON AMONG WHITE COLLEGE STUDENTS
by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Given the proliferation of “ghetto” and “gangsta” parties, blackface and racist “satirical” student newspaper articles lately, the results of this study come as no great surprise.
From The Associated Press:
A University of Dayton sociologist who analyzed journals kept by 626 white college students found the students behaved substantially differently when they were in the company of other whites than when they were with other races.
Part of the culture?
When the students, who were asked to record their interactions with other people, were alone with other white students, racial stereotypes and racist language were surprisingly common, researcher Leslie Picca found. One student reported hearing the “n-word” among white students 27 times in a single day.
The results suggest white students have little sense of shame about racial insults and stereotyping and treat them as simply a part of the culture.
“This is a new generation who grew up watching ‘The Cosby Show,”’ Picca said. “They have the belief that racism isn’t a problem anymore so the words they use and the jokes they tell aren’t racist.”
Picca said she found it “heartbreaking” to see so many well-educated students perpetuating the stereotypes.
Be honest. How often have you heard racist language since you started college? Do you know someone who tells inappropriate jokes about religion, sexuality, gender, race, and cultures? Perhaps it is even your family. Now lets be really honest. Have you engaged in this kind of behavior? What did you do? Perhaps you did not even realize it until now. Amanda very honestly admitted to using gay inappropriately. She learned from her mistake and has grown by acknowledging it and educating other about it. That takes courage. What will you do to make a difference? We need to stand up to change and make it better. Things do not have to be as they are and they shouldn't be. Accepting things that are not right and not working on change is not what dignity is about. Nor is it truly acceptance. No one should accept hatred.
Is this acceptance really that we just do not see it anymore? Do you believe people are becoming more and more desensitized? What is something you are going to change to become a better person? How will you change your communication? What will you do in groups to really make a difference rather than laughing along with everyone to be a part of the group?
I honestly believe that kids these days do not see the racism in our language or jokes. Everyone uses harsh words and stereotypes because it was something we grew up around. People older than us, that we looked up to, shaped the way we think and act today. So we grew up with this train of thought and protrayed individuals by what they look like based on how our role models did. I do believe people are becoming more and more desensitized. People are using words and comments about other races, genders, sexual orientations, and religious beliefs in an everyday conversation and do see nothing wrong with it. White people say "well black people use the 'n' word so why can't we?" Or when people are like "That's gay." It's harsh, but people now adays do not see it that way anymore. And for those people who do, they don't say "stop" or "enough" but instead they just walk away. What I am going to do to become a better person is something that I started over a year ago. I have many friends that are from multiple cultures and I refuse to use words that slam them even if it is in a joke. I began this summer to stop saying "that's gay" and "that's retarded". I even got my family to stop saying racist comments (one of my brothers is very racist against mexicans but he promised me to try to work on his view on them) and I hound my friends. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I am making an effort to not judge people as quickly. I mean I am at a new campus, far from home, and I knew not one person. I couldn't judge people since I did not want anyone to judge me. It's a working progress to change myself, but it's something I'm willing to do. In groups I'll do what I did in high school, I refuse to laugh and I just give them look of "wow, really?" I asked people why they feel that way or why they say those things and none have ever gave me even close to a reasonable excuse. I tell them to stop and say it with force. My friends and group members usually will listen to you if you mean what you say and don't back down if you believe in it with all your might.
ReplyDeleteInappropriate language toward other groups is something that I have grown up with my entire life. With growing up in a very sheltered community of all whites I became very accustom to talking that way as well. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to make excuses because I will be the first to admit that I have been a judgmental person on such topics. Now ever since I have moved to college I can see my views changing already considering that I have been exposed to a variety of different people and cultures, and when I look back at the different things that I have said makes me almost sick to my stomach because I was basically insulted my friends that I have today. I will make it my goal to stick up for the people that I care for and when I hear other talking smack about them, even if it is my family. Another thing that I will do to put a stop to this horrific form of language is to educate people and maybe even introduce the people that I know to the people that talk so terribly about others because that is what helped me overcome the barrier of speaking such awful things about other people.
ReplyDeleteMaggie Carlson
Though it is sad to admit, since I have started college, I have noticed a shocking amount of racism in everyday language. However, as the article demonstrates, I usually only hear it when there are no minorities in the room. This statement in itself completely eliminated the theory that people do not realize what they are saying. If they didn't realize it, then they would speak the same way among all different audiences. When I think about this issue I immediately picture a few people who are constantly racist through their use of words and phrases. Also, my grandma is very racist which is hard to confront because she is, of course, my grandma and I cannot disrespect her or question her authority. I do, however, mention to her nicely that I have friends who are African American and I find it offensive. Sometimes she becomes angry with me but usually she simply brushes it aside. Though I know I cannot change her, I feel that I at least can stand up for what I believe in. When it comes to my peers, standing up for what is right is much harder. I will not lie. There are times when I sit by and watch or maybe even join in the laughter.
ReplyDeleteI think, in general, people do see and recognize what they are saying, but they do not understand how serious and insulting it is. In this way, society has become desensitized. They think it is just a joke and that it should not be taken seriously. In reality, there is really nothing funny about it. To become a better person, I will use the tips we discussed in class to confront people about the racism in their language. My favorite one that we discussed is by asking, "why do you say that?" I feel like this will be more effective than even asking them to stop because it will make them question why they are speaking that way in the first place.
Michelle Fischer
Kelsey Thompson
ReplyDeleteEffective Communication
11/3/10
Monica Butche
Blog post #8
While it may seem like the general idea that when you get older or come into a college society there is more racism. Personally, I feel that there was more racism back in my hometown. Though I still hear racist comments, I feel that the students here are more aware, or knowledgeable, about what is considered racist. I hear racist comments all the time, whether it's from my peers, my grandparents and even sometimes my parents, it is a common part of life. I'll freely admit that I make racist comments, but also I will say that I try to monitor what comes from my mouth. When I make racist comments I usually stop myself and try to rephrase what I just said. But I've also found myself laughing along with friends about racist jokes on multiple occasions. Perhaps it's because everyone else is laughing that I go along with it, I'm not sure even though I know it's wrong.
There are also plenty of words that I use that I am just learning are racist in meaning. I never knew until my sister explained it to me that "gyped*" was a racist comment referring to gypsies. Currently I am working on familiarizing myself with the different words in case I come in contact with them. I've always monitored most of what I say but when I come across a word that could be considered racist I try to bypass it, there's always a different word you can use. Especially, the grammatically and ethically correct version of the word. Me monitoring myself won't be the only way to get rid of racist comments but I realize I also need to take action when others use them. They're degrading not only to others but to oneself. Using racist words makes the user sound ignorant and stupid so even if they call me out on what they are saying, in reality I'm trying to help them. While I believe people have become more desensitized to these words, I believe there is a bigger effort than ever before to get people to stop using them. I know I need to keep focusing on what I am saying but also need to be aware of what others are saying around me. If I allow myself to hear racist comments and do nothing about it, I’m not bettering anything for myself or others. By doing something I need to put my foot down, and tell someone I don’t appreciate how they are referring to others. Whether they decide to think about what they say next time is up to them, but all I can do is call them out on it and realize that I stood up for myself and others in making it so I don’t have to deal with them saying stuff like that in front of me anymore.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest ever since starting college here, I had heard several racist jokes from my very own group of friends. They find it funny and always joke about how a certain race speaks or talk. Sometimes they even mimic how an Asian would sound like. Though I do not want to be the kind of friend who seems to be cant take joke, I just don’t find these joke hilarious as much as they do. However with this comes knowledge and acceptance, as they came to know me more and learn about me, they have slowly learn to change their behavior and has stop teasing me with these jokes. I would lie if I said that I had never told a racist joke. I had told plenty and had laugh along with them back in high school. However after taking this course I’m starting to realize that these jokes aren’t as funny as people thought they are. Taking this course has also help open my eyes to see these issues and now I have changed a lot ever since being here. I do believe that people these days has become more and more desensitize to these racist comments. One reason to this could be that they have never known someone who is different in color, culture, religion, etc. Thus, by this they make comments that they didn’t realize had hurt other. To become a better person I’m going to let my friends know whenever they make such jokes again, and tell them to stop. Instead of laughing along with them I’ll confront them and let them know how I feel, thus if they appreciate me they’ll stop. it’s a lot of talking but it’s also a lot of courage which I know I can put to. Most of my friends here don’t even know who the Hmong are. They have question me whether I’m Chinese, Japanese, or Thai. It’s not anything new that they don’t know who the Hmong are but through me they have learn a lot about different cultures and who the Hmong are.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRacism is so much more prevalent than people see now a days. People are absolutely correct when they say people think racism has past and that no one gets offended in todays day. This is so wrong. Like Sher was saying about the Asian population people don't know about the culture behind each individual race. It is sad because as much as I don't want to admit that to people I am one of those people who may judge subconsciously without knowing the culture. Coming to a small school and taking this class has been an eye opener about the overall perception of people and who they are. I am not very quick to judge anymore. I give everyone a chance to portray themselves to me.
ReplyDeleteComing in many people were very racist. I will admit I made many racism jokes in my day. I have said things in front a half black friend of mine here and I didn't think they were racist but he told me that they don't offend him but to watch what I say around other people.
I want to try and cut back on any racist things and call people out when they try to say something that might hurt someone else. I feel like I can change to be a more accepting open person to races and cultures.
Josh Kellner
Since I have started college i have heard racist language a lot. Some of my friends use racist language as their main "vocabulary" when trying to describe something or just to say it. They do not think it is harmful or degrading in any way. Then one day one of their roommates asked his other two roommates if they could stop using the "n word" because half of his family is black. I think this shows that this type of language affects everyone in a different way, but some people do not make themselves aware of the situations. I have engaged in this type of behavior before by telling racist jokes. I will try to change my cehavior by not laughing at the jokes and realize what they are actually saying and how they are putting someone down. For the past three years me and my two best friends have stopped using the words gay and retarded. We used to say both of these words all the time but then one day we realized how gramatically incorrect they are and how mean/rude they can be. Ever since then i have not used either of those words. The people that I am friends with don't understand why I think it's such a big deal to not say these words because whenever they say either one of those i just tell them to say stupid or dumb. I try to get the message through to them that it is not okay to say these things and surprisingly some of them are starting to change the language they use and some just dont care at all. I think it is important for each individual to try and make a difference because soon enough it will work if we all just take those first few baby steps of standing up for what is right.
ReplyDeleteKrista York
Since I live in the same town as I went to high school I wasn’t sure if I would continue to hear the racist language that I did in high school, I thought maybe people would take that step to eliminate that from their vocabulary. When I got to college I found out that a lot more people use racist language in their every day vocabulary. Not just using terms to classify people but they would make jokes about others and even mock them as well. I have friends that are a different ethnic back ground of me and for a couple people that always use this language and do those things makes me feel ashamed to be around them when they are saying these things because you never know when maybe that one person will be by you and feel offended. I will admit I'm not perfect, I have made jokes and things as well but I took a step back and realized what I was doing wrong and the things that I would joke around about really could offend people. The things that people dont even realized and think are small things really to put an impact on someone’s life. I have caught myself a couple times before I said, “That’s gay” or something related to that when I was with my friend who is gay. I know that something like that would really bother me and I need to think before I actually say things because I would not want people saying things like that or making jokes about my sexuality or my ethnic background. I am doing my best to tell my friends that always use this sort of language that they need to stop and its not right, because you never know one day you could be in public and say the wrong thing around the wrong person and really could get yourself into trouble. If they do not stop I will ask them “why do you say that” I’m sure they will not know what to say just like Monica said when she gave her example. I think that will make people kind of think for a second and wonder why they do say the things they do. I think the best thing that we can do to change this is just each person try to get through to someone that its not appropriate and if someone was saying things about you like that how would that make you feel.
ReplyDeleteNikki Darker
In my case, I haven’t been exposed to anymore racism in college than from back home. I see racism in small degrees in both places. I’m willing to bet that half the time something racist is said I don’t even notice, or even realize that it is being racist. The statement “is this acceptance really that we just do not see it anymore,” I see as true. For me, it’s not like a try to be racist. Sometimes it just comes out that way without even realizing what I just said. I am definitely one of those people that when I hear a racist joke, I laugh and then say oh my gosh that is so wrong while still giggling. One thing that I can change is when I do hear one of these jokes, I could not laugh and just plain out say that is wrong. Maybe then the person telling the joke would get the hint that they shouldn’t be telling that to everyone. Another way I can try to be a better person would be to think before I say something. Ask myself, “will this hurt somebody else.” Instead of walking away from people putting other cultures down, one can speak up for that culture to open the eyes of the people doing wrong. One person’s actions could affect multiple people.
ReplyDeleteLauren Scharp
Racism in college is more abondent then anywhere else i have been. But so is the number of people who stand up to it. Many people where I come from used raciest words on occasion. My friends did, I did and their parents did. Their parents used these words even more so then the child at times. These raciest comments are thrown all over in songs today. So why would the youth not use them to? They copy everything else pop culture does so why would they skip this. Are their Whys to make this stop? No. Their are not enough people to care to stop it. From the jokes people tell too how holiday portrays each race. But we can try to stop it in schools. This is a must. We can do it by having them take classes for it maybe or having them ask people why did you say that because they never know. Everyone has laughed at a raciest joke, besides Jesus.
ReplyDeleteNo one is perfect but racism is a huge part of our socity now. In this class was the first time a teacher has even hinted at it in one of my classes. My group and our class as a whole will be more up front about racism now and I ahve even said something to my roomates already actually. It was not that tough to do and i wonder why i did not do it eariler. if our generation can start not saying or laughing at raciest joke i belive others will follow.
I heard many many more racist and gay jokes back home than I do here. I guess it doesn't really help that one of my best friends is probably the most racist person I have ever met. I know that may sound like I am a racist person too, but I am far from it. I always stand up to him, and I ask him why he does and says those things. He just kind of looks at me funny like as to say "Why not?". I know it's wrong and I try to stop it. Even when someone tells me a racist joke, I think about it and put myself in that persons shoes. I wouldn't want those things said about me.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that these words and phrases are being desensitized though. I caught one of my gay friends saying "that's so gay" the other day. I obviously didn't say anything because I wasn't sure what to say. This made me think and i realized that some words have been given their own new meaning. I mean gay has gone from meaning happy to meaning homosexual to meaning something that is disliked. Words and their meanings are alwaya going to be changing from generation to generation.
I agree with Josh K and Sher H that this class has opened my eyes and changed the way that I see the world in general. This is probably one of my favorite classes because it makes you think about other people and their beliefs and values. I have always been one to put other people before myself, but I am still learning and appreciating the little things more and more with everything that we talk about in this class.
ReplyDeleteTia Lindberg
I agree with Tlindber when he says he puts himself in that persons shoes and realizes what is being said that it is not right by any means and shouldn’t be said. I also agree when Tlindber when he/she says that the word gay has gone from being happy to homosexual to now something isn’t liked by many people and that many people find dumb. I actually disagree with lnoyes when he/she said that racism in college is more abundant then anywhere else. I don’t think so because I feel in high school more people are immature and just do things because they think it’s funny and to make themselves look cool. But I guess on the grand scheme of things I haven’t attended another college but Saint Scholastica. But here there is no racism or not any that I have seen or heard of.
ReplyDeleteJake Turkowski
I believe that people are becoming more and more desensitized especially with the culture that we are slowly becoming. Yes, racism could be getting better slowly but only if we start to change it. Like we stated in class, everyone has a racist family member that is set with their beliefs and do not want to change it. In my high school, there was only one African American kid in the whole school. As sad as it is, everyone made comments to him about being an African American kid in an almost white school. Even though most comments were made out of "love" by his friends he's told me before that some of them he actually took offense to. I tried my hardest not to make any comments to him or laugh at any of the jokes. But I admit that I did. I think that by asking others for the reason behind their jokes it would help them realize that they are not funny and that there is no reason to even say them.
ReplyDeleteKatelyn Geib
From the start of college, the only racism language is the music I listen to. I love Lil Wayne and that doesn’t make me want to talk like that, I just enjoy his music. I hear sexual jokes and I may have laughed at many of them and that’s one thing I need to stop. If I heard a person call out the N word, I’m pretty sure I’d stop and say something because that’s just wrong. My family is a little bit racist, my older cousin is dating an African American and it took a lot of everyone to accept him but now everything is perfect. I believe in my own view point, I don’t see a lot of racism but I have talked to my cousin that’s dating Nick (African American). They both go to Kansas State and she told me that it’s hard to go out in public together because people look at them and frown, some older elders would say stuff. So hearing that makes me think racist is common in the southern state. I do believe it’s everywhere we go, not just saying Kansas is but I’m sure our neighbors are racist, we never know till we see or hear their actions.
ReplyDeleteKayla Heisler
Katelyn Geib-
ReplyDeleteI've experienced the same exact thing my friend was the only African in my school and everyday his friends were say something bad, he never liked it. Which was weird that he would laugh along with them.
I believe now days that the kids dont see racism anymore as our elders look at it. We use the words freely knowing they are wrong but have no effect on us when we say it. I do believe kids are getting more and more desensitized as we go on. We dont take into account of what we are saying and what the words mean when we say them. To make my self a better person I think I could stop doing racial jokes and using the word "gay" and "homo." I think that would make everyone a little better if we stopped using those words.In our groups I think we can stop and think about what people are saying and stop from laughing with everyone else. It would make a big difference if a few people just didnt laugh or like Monica said in class "why would you say that?" I think that would make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteI believe now a days people don't really pay attention to all the racist words we use because everyone thinks its not a big deal anymore like it use to be. I think that since our generation heard it so many times we truly believe its not a big deal to say thats gay or retarded or many other negative words. However I think people really should put them selves in other peoples shoes to see how it really feels to be used as a joke or being made fun of when its not really meant for you to feel bad. I also think if someone is trying to be funny and using harsh words people should stand up to them and say, "that wasn't very funny" or just don't even act as if the person said anything.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try very hard and stop saying racial things!!!
I personally say "thats retarded" or "thats gay" and I really hate that I say it because I feel so badly when I use those sayings. I am really trying hard to stop using theses sayings however its such a bad habit for me. To try and help the cause I think I am going to ask my friends not to say that and to think about how someone would feel if they where actually gay or retarded and the heard that.
I haven’t heard a lot of racist language while being here, though I suspect that there is quite a bit of it. I think I’ve been pretty shielded from it because I choose to spend my time with people who don’t do things like that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go on. I believe that demeaning jokes are being told all the time here; it wouldn’t surprise me at all because it’s a norm among the majority of the people in the United States. Back in my hometown, there was some racism (along with the other –isms), but there was also a large movement to stop any type of discrimination among many of the high school students. Fortunately, my immediate family is incredibly accepting of nearly everyone. I didn’t grow up around a lot judgmental people so I feel very fortunate that way. I have laughed at some of these jokes & long ago, I told a few, but I have stopped doing so today. I know that it’s wrong & I refuse to become someone so despicable. I make sure to watch everything I say. I don’t want to hurt people if at all possible. To make a greater difference I’ve actually been trying to condemn acts in which people talk badly about others. I tell them that I don’t agree with what they’re saying or I try to bring up some positive aspects about those people. It’s all about questioning what we have accepted as okay.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people do realize what they are doing, but nearly none of them care. They believe that can & should say what they want. Consideration & compassion are being lost in this society. Desensitization is exactly what is going on & it’s just sickening. Where will people set the limit? Is it EVER okay to make fun of someone, even if not to their face? To better myself, I’m going to make sure I consider all viewpoints & follow through with being considerate of everyone. I will change my communication by saying what I truly mean, not by drawing crude comparisons that are hurtful (which don’t even parallel anyhow). I usually don’t fit in with many groups because I choose to take the way most people don’t take. If something is wrong, I won’t stand for it; I will stand up against it by showing other the reality of these hateful acts.
ReplyDeleteMary~
SORRY FOR THE LATENESS...
ReplyDelete"Are there ways to make this stop? No. There are not enough people to care to stop it."
ReplyDeleteQuoted from Lane Noyes's post
I disagree with this assertion. I truly believe that there are ways to make racism stop. It may not be a complete solution, but a working solution. There is no problem in our society that has been completely solved. Humans are weak & often do bad things, but that doesn't mean we have to accept those things. We have to work against them, in all parts of society, to reduce the mistakes we make. The reason people don't care is because we aren't trying hard enough. You have to influence someone before they will care. Give them a reason to care...you'd be surprised at how amazing the world could be if we at least gave an effort to change.
Mary~
In Response to Maggie's Quote:
ReplyDelete"I personally say "thats retarded" or "thats gay" and I really hate that I say it because I feel so badly when I use those sayings. I am really trying hard to stop using theses sayings however its such a bad habit for me. To try and help the cause I think I am going to ask my friends not to say that and to think about how someone would feel if they where actually gay or retarded and the heard that."
Maggie-
Do not feel guilty for using these words. Society has put them into our everyday language and you are not to blame. However, now that you have the awareness of what you are doing just work to change your ways.
I have a very personal experience regarding this issue. I always used to refer to things I didn't like as "gay" or "retarded." Then one day one of my best friends asked me to stop. I didn't really know why but I respected her wishes and stopped saying it around her. This eventually resulted in me not saying the words at all. I then started volunteering at a group home for adults with mental disabilities. I learned more there, in that time period, than any other time in my life. They are some of my favorite people and it kills me that I used to say "retarded" in the context of something I hate. Since then, I always ask my friends to not say words such as "gay" or "retarded" around me, if at all.
For whatever reason, I have not been this active in changing society when it comes to racist comments. This is something I have begun to work on and will continue to. It is not always easy to stick up to the majority. It is something that I will be challenging myself with starting today. Hopefully, others of you will do the same.
Michelle Fischer
I have heard a lot of racist comments not only since being in college, but just in general. People don't really think about it that way, and just think of it as just another joke. They don't really realize how bad other people would feel if they knew what they were saying about them. People don't really think too much before they talk or make jokes like that.
ReplyDeleteNone of my friends really make these comments, but people I'm sometimes around do. One thing that happens occasionally is texts sent to me that are forwards with a picture and some racist comment under it. They are really disturbing and I wonder who could even make up that text and have the guts to send it around to many different people. I'm sure at some point, the text gets sent to a black person, and I'm sure it would really upset them. I never text back and definitely never send it on.
I think that people see racist jokes and other inappropriate jokes and comments go on, but no one really does much about it since it's so common. A lot of people just don't engage, but also don't do anything to help stop it. When I get text messages like that, what I should do is text back and say don't say that, or that's really hurtful to many people, or something that will open up their eyes a little bit to what they are doing. That is something that I'm going to change in the way that I deal with this kind of thing, and to make myself a better person.
It would be hard to change a person who is racist, but you could help change them in the way that they speak and joke around. Someone can be racist and not have to send around racist texts and make racist jokes all the time. They can learn to keep it more to themselves.
Kristin Sorensen
Sher-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say " However after taking this course I’m starting to realize that these jokes aren’t as funny as people thought they are. Taking this course has also help open my eyes to see these issues and now I have changed a lot ever since being here. "
I never realized this that much either until this class. I think that it's really good that we discuss these kinds of topics and try to make this a better place. There are such small things that could effect people so much that they really aren't even worth saying. We are all learning so much from this class and we can all become better people by taking this course. It really makes you open your eyes.
Kristin Sorensen
In response to Mary's comment, "I believe that people do realize what they are doing, but nearly none of them care. They believe that can & should say what they want. Consideration & compassion are being lost in this society."
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the mark with this comment. I have been around so many people that make racist comments all the time and when I would stand up to them and voice the fact that I didn't like what they were saying they shrugged it off and blatantly said "I don't care." This honestly hurt me, first off because it's sad that they know they could actually be hurting someone else that takes this personally because they are of a different race. Secondly, I don't enjoy associating myself with people that could potentially act as a reflection of myself. Though that may sound harsh that I would consider avoiding someone because they make me come off a certain way to people that don't know me yet, I always ask myself "Do I want to be around someone that is going to be negative or have a negative effect on me?" I don't need to be around things like this and avoiding it is only bettering my lifestyle. Back to Mary's comment though, compassion and consideration are being lost, or atleast I believe this. I believe in order to gain these features back people really need to evaluate their lifestyle and think more about stuff before they say something or act on something.
I like what Mary was saying as well about people realizing they are saying racial comments but don't really care. It really does seem like society believes racism has disappeared and that it is ok to joke about things now like they won't hurt anyones' feelings. This is the problem with todays society. Verbal comments are not ok. If you say something racial don't expect someone to accept it. Even when my friends make racial jokes with me I think about my other friends who would be offended by that. As bad as it sounds I just let it slide. Now I need to start sticking up and telling them they are in the wrong. I need to make a change some how.
ReplyDeleteJosh Kellner
Michelle:
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree how you said that people only say these racist comments when there are no minorities around. People do not say these thing when minorities are around because they know that it is very offensive and wrong. Hopefully the people that say these things will realize one day how inappropriate it is. I agreed with everything you had to say and I hope people start to be more aware f their surroundings whether or not there are minorities present.
Krista York
Reply to Kristin.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you say people don’t really think about things they just look at it as another joke. Most of the time people say things and don’t realize how it would make someone else feel. I have sometimes received a text that was a forward and I dont understand how someone could come up with something like that, or why people think its okay to say things like that. I agree with you when you say that people dont really put an effort into stopping the racist comments, I think people need to realize the things they are saying before they say them.
Nikki Darker
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of calling people out on the racist comments. I believe that in today’s world that some racist comments have become 2nd nature, so sometimes people don’t even know that they are saying those things, not that I am making excuses for them. So by calling the people out on it, it might make them realize what they are actually saying. I think that I might try that as well because something needs to be done about what comes out of people’s mouths.
Maggie Carlson
When it comes to my peers, standing up for what is right is much harder.
ReplyDeleteMichelle made a very good point here. You can here your friends say all this stuff that you dont agree with and just laugh and shake your head and blow it away. It you dont agree with something and your friend says it, it is that much harder to stand up for what you believe in.
Krista,
ReplyDeleteYou made several great comments on this issue and I would like to compliment how you express these tough statements and relate them to you. I, myself had personally use words that shouldn't be use to describe something, such as gay, or retarded. However similar with you I"m slowly progressing toward trying to refrain from using it.
Response to Maggie:
ReplyDelete"I believe now a days people don't really pay attention to all the racist words we use because everyone thinks its not a big deal anymore like it use to be. I think that since our generation heard it so many times we truly believe its not a big deal to say thats gay or retarded or many other negative words."
I agree with you, Maggie. People do not truly think about the words we use because, yes, we did grow up with those words being thrown around us. As we grew up, older people would curse and use rasist words and since we thought it was okay that they use it, we can too. It's apart of our generation's language along with other slang words, but it needs to change and it can easily change. If you resist to use that sort of language and talk to your loved ones and friends to stop also, it can begin to spread like wildfire.
Mary: I totally agree with you when you stated “I believe that people do realize what they are doing, but nearly none of them care. They believe that can & should say what they want.” It definitely seems that people think they can say these type of things because of the freedom of speech—which to me, I see where they are coming from. I do believe they should take their thinking to the next level, and really think about what they are saying even though they have the right to free speech. This thinking can just be as simple as thinking of other people besides yourself.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Mary:
ReplyDeleteHer quote, "I believe that people do realize what they are doing, but nearly none of them care. They believe that can & should say what they want." Stood out to me because its the truth and not many people can easily admit that.
Michelle Fischer
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your support of me and making me feel better about the situation.
I also liked how you said, "For whatever reason, I have not been this active in changing society when it comes to racist comments. This is something I have begun to work on and will continue to. It is not always easy to stick up to the majority. It is something that I will be challenging myself with starting today. Hopefully, others of you will do the same."
I really think others should feel the same way you do and at least try and work on it. I really liked how you are willing to stick up against the majority and help this problem, because that is what i want to work on too! :)
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ReplyDeleteRacism is as prevalent as it's ever been. The issue may not be as openly shown everywhere like it was decades ago, but prejudices has become a "joking matter" to our generation. Who are we to think a laugh or two will actually lighten the joke enough to actually be considered funny? Of course there are still the people who downright consider themselves racist. That will hopefully be solved over time. To me, the issue that will end up being the hardest to get past in our society is the "lightness", so to speak, of racist comments and actions. If you would have asked me a few weeks ago if I was racist, I would have bluntly said 'no way!'. Now, after our discussion, I realize how desensitized I have really been. Its been our culture- people are a product of their environment. What we can do now as the next adult generation is CHANGE THIS. Enough with the jokes, any harsh looks, enough with racism altogether. I, for one, have already taken a step back and evaluated myself. It will take a lot of work, but I'm going to do everything I can to help myself and my children someday to form our morals in such a way that they don't involve any form of racism.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, it takes the targeted group to stand up for themselves. Here at college, for example, racial slanders and thrown around as if they're no big deal. It takes a strong person to stand up for themselves, and teach the college campus how insensitive they are really being. All the little things will pay off someday.
Maria Valesano
Sher,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how open you were about how you feel about racism around you. It takes a VERY strong person to stand up for themselves, especially around their own friends. And, I also appreciate how you openly said you're as guilty as anyone about telling and laughing and a racist joke. Everyone has done it. It just how desensitized our culture has become. I feel this is such a beneficial course because its teaching us to open our eyes to how corrupt our world is, still.
Maria Valesano
I agree with what Maggie said:
ReplyDeleteI also would like to stop using the racial jokes and sexual orientation jokes that are now so commmon in our society. When I sit back and think what I said I feel bad for people that i have offended if they have been walking by and heard what I said.