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(TW) I wish my dad wasn’t racist
bignosegirly0
Posts: 107 The Mix Convert
During the dinner table, we were discussing holiday plans, looking back at old holidays and spoke about what we liked and didn’t liked about it.
I mentioned our New York trip, saying how I didn’t felt safe, considering there are a lot of crack addicts and unsafe people in the city. I brought up an example of a man who was speaking to himself and randomly screaming. When they didn’t recognised the guy I was on about, I described his appearance. He was a tall, bald black man dressed in a suit.
My dad then said the reason why it might have been frightening is because we’re not “used to coloured people”
I’ve tried making a point that someone’s race doesn’t make them worrisome, but their actions. I’ve dealt with many rude, unstable, or violent people from all races. No one’s physical appearance makes themselves appear more or less threatening. If they behave in a threatening manner, they’re threatening. If they’re not, they’re not.
Later on, we discussed going to Poland, and my dad said that “Muslims have taken over”.
In response, I asked, “what’s wrong with Muslims”
And he said “oh no, only the bad ones. Only the extreme ones”.
I get that religion in general has a massive issue with extremists tweaking rules and concepts as an excuse to be hateful towards groups they view as inferior (homophobia, misogyny etc). But why not just say there’s an extremism issue, rather than say “Muslims are taking over”.
I mentioned our New York trip, saying how I didn’t felt safe, considering there are a lot of crack addicts and unsafe people in the city. I brought up an example of a man who was speaking to himself and randomly screaming. When they didn’t recognised the guy I was on about, I described his appearance. He was a tall, bald black man dressed in a suit.
My dad then said the reason why it might have been frightening is because we’re not “used to coloured people”
I’ve tried making a point that someone’s race doesn’t make them worrisome, but their actions. I’ve dealt with many rude, unstable, or violent people from all races. No one’s physical appearance makes themselves appear more or less threatening. If they behave in a threatening manner, they’re threatening. If they’re not, they’re not.
Later on, we discussed going to Poland, and my dad said that “Muslims have taken over”.
In response, I asked, “what’s wrong with Muslims”
And he said “oh no, only the bad ones. Only the extreme ones”.
I get that religion in general has a massive issue with extremists tweaking rules and concepts as an excuse to be hateful towards groups they view as inferior (homophobia, misogyny etc). But why not just say there’s an extremism issue, rather than say “Muslims are taking over”.
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Comments
I'd say to keep doing what you are doing so far in challenging such comments when they are made, and even if over time his view points don't make a change, at least you know you are doing the right thing in calling them out.
i know it can be difficult but you're doing great
sending big hugs