For the love of non-bigotry

[preciousjeni]

My roommate's at it again with her nonsense. This time she said something racially offensive to me and I was so horrified that I could barely "fight back."

She was telling me about what happened to her a few days ago. The story goes:

She was in her car and tried to pull out around a blind corner. Unfortunately, someone was coming around the bend and that person had to slam on his brakes. My roommate sped up to get out of the way. (First point of idiocy, it's NOT a blind corner!! What is she talking about??? She just pulled out in front of some poor person. Oh well!)

So, the guy in the car she cut off gets mad and starts chasing her and honking his horn. She pulls into Dunkin Donuts, where she was trying to go anyway, and he follows her. He starts screaming obscenities at her. I'll grant her that the guy is a lunatic for all that, but what came next was shocking.

She said to me, "It was really scary. I didn't know if he was black or even Hispanic!" WHAAAAAAT?? "black or even Hispanic"?????

I tried to tell her why that was inappropriate but she just got mad at me and said it was just part of the story. Do I give up now or keep trying to educate her?

Or do I come back with my own ridiculous sterotypical comment...OMGoodness! He could have been a white guy called by three names. He would've been a serial killer for sure!!

[Senusret I]

Just stop talking to her.

You can also borrow my "Satan is my Homeboy" t-shirt if she insists on talking to you.

[PhiPsiRuss]

You can be really nice to her. For example, get her a nice birthday present like a custom tailored white robe and hood, made from organically grown cotton.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
You can be really nice to her. For example, get her a nice birthday present like a custom tailored white robe and hood, made from organically grown cotton.

Mwahahahaha! You know, I feel so bad for her because she is in the Missions program. She wants to serve in Africa!!! Again,

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
...OMGoodness! He could have been a white guy called by three names. He would've been a serial killer for sure!!

3 names= assassin
examples:
James Earl Ray
John Wilkes Booth
*John Hinkley only wounded Reagan, but if Reagan had died you bet we'd know his middle name

2 names= serial killer
examples:
Ted Bundy
Charles Manson

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
3 names= assassin
examples:
James Earl Ray
John Wilkes Booth
*John Hinkley only wounded Reagan, but if Reagan had died you bet we'd know his middle name

2 names= serial killer
examples:
Ted Bundy
Charles Manson

LOL! I don't even know the sterotypes!! I think that's a good thing.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
LOL! I don't even know the sterotypes!! I think that's a good thing.

I only knew that because I watched "Conspiracy Theory" the other night.

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Mwahahahaha! You know, I feel so bad for her because she is in the Missions program. She wants to serve in Africa!!! Again,

With her mindset, its no doubt shes going because of the "white mans burden"

Just keep bringing it up everytime she says something stupid. Explain to her that identifying people by race is inapproperate unless it has particular bearing on the story. Since no academic study has ever proven a link between driving patterns and ethnic background, it has no relevance to the story.

[navane]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi

2 names= serial killer
examples:
Ted Bundy
Charles Manson

But wait! You forgot John Wayne Gacy!


.....Kelly

[_Lisa_]

In all seriousness, your roommate does need to be educated. But it may not be best if you are her teacher.

She probably doesn't even realize why her comment was inappropriate and even though it is blatantly obvious to you that doesn't mean you'll ever be able to help her understand. I'd suggest a diversity class that your school or local community center may be offering. And maybe you guys could take it together just so she realizes that it is important to you too!

[Tom Earp]

Suggest she not only take all of the above classes, but one of the most important is driving lessons.

Unless she is a very close friend, I would be looking for a new room mate. Sounds a bit Nutsoid to me.

[SSS1365]

It's really unfortunate that people have this kind of attitude, but sadly it happens all the time. I have a friend who has on numerous occasions made offensive comments/generalizations about hispanics in front of me... and I'm half Puerto Rican (and I look like I'm 100%). I guess this kind of ignorance is never gonna totally go away. The best we can do is try to correct people when they say stuff like that. It's awesome that you tried to do that, but it sucks that she wouldn't listen.

[AnchorAlum]

Lose her! Seriously, can you change at semester break? She's ignorant.

[Optimist Prime]

Is she a friend to you? Like does she confide things, etc? I have friends who are morronns from time to time it happens, its a chance to make the world better by broadening one person's view



this message aproved by your friendly neighborhood optimist