Can you be friends with a racist?

[AteRiri]

Is your political view separate from friendships?

Yes everyone probably is a little bit racist about something or someone somewhere, but that doesn't make it right or acceptable.

It is regarded as a cardinal sin because of the damage it causes. The Holocaust, Rwanda, Native Americans I could go on.

This is why were need to be vigilant about racism, from our own little prejudices, to Trump and those Brexit supporters who are using a legitimate vote to support their vile beliefs.

People tend to be sanctimonious about racism.

Oh, boy. I've heard it all now. Not only are we supposed to "embrace and celebrate" racists, we are now "sanctimonious" if we challenge racism. This is the thread that keeps on giving.

Have I stepped through the looking glass? I do rather feel as though I have in the bleak post-Brexit, post-Trump victory world.

No. I would despise them. It would feel completely unnatural to me - wouldn't feel comfortable around someone who is racist. I was brought up with parents who had friends from all different backgrounds and races - some people I like some people I don't regardless of race but to me a racist is someone I pity - they are missing out on a lot of amazing people in this world. Their loss. To me racist people have a narrow mindset that frankly creeps me out - I agree with other posters who say if you are racist you are basically anti-human. Also I would find it too embarassing to be friends with a racist - I wouldn't want to be associated with them - it would damage my relationships with my mixed and non racist friends and family. Those relationships matter to me. Racists to me are dangerous and weird and there is no place for them in my world.

P.s. Sanctimonious or not - haven't read the whole thread but my instinct is that I am instantly basically allergic to racist people. They instantly make me feel like I don't want to be around them. It isn't a deeply thought out political thing for me it is an instinct that I just want them away from me if they have racist views I just don't want that in my life

No.

Sorry but I'm with WLF46 on this. Ignoring people and cutting them out alienates people further, cuts off any discussion and prevents progress and change. If someone says something you disagree with, challenge them, and debate. That's how things change, by challenging our beliefs.

There are many things I can't abide and that's the hypocracy of most people in what they deem acceptable in themselves and unacceptable in others. All the pontificating about racism from people who most likely see nothing wrong with the horrendous treatment of farmed animals for instance. That we as a species have supremacy over other animals and can treat them so appallingly ...... as just one example.

But I am FAR from perfect and all of us are evolving all the time....as do our views. So less judging, more open discussion and debate surely is a better way forward.

YellowBlueBus the most ironic thing was listening to him complaining about people being racist to him!

No self awareness at all.

Not sure I would know if any of my friends are racist or not. That's not the kind of thing we sit and chat about.

Yes everyone probably is a little bit racist about something or someone somewhere, but that doesn't make it right or acceptable.

Exactly... racism isn't acceptable, but all of us are imperfect. The sanctimonious ones are those who would ostracise those who showed any views they consider racist whilst failing to see their own imperfections.
Begtodiffer is right on this. the hypocrisy and high-minded attitude of the Pharisees spring to mind!

There is no excuse for racism, especially in this day and age. And if anyone honestly believes that most racists will suddenly have a road-to-Damascus-like conversion simply by being friends with non-racists, I have a very nice bridge in Brooklyn that I would be happy to sell you.

I have experienced racism from my friends (yes, I'm white, we can still be victims of racism) and I was shocked and appalled and could not continue to be friends with them. Hearing a racial slur come from someone who you trusted is just heartbreaking. I wouldn't be able to be friends with a racist.

I try very hard not to be racist. I don't think anyone is claiming perfection.

The sanctimonious ones are those who would ostracise those who showed any views they consider racist whilst failing to see their own imperfections." Well, I suppose that would be a bit sanctimonious. Has anyone given any indication that that is what they are doing?

There is no excuse, and racism needs to be fought. However, I can understand how low-level racist views can develop amongst those who've had bad experiences and do not exist within a liberal echo chamber... Shunning and chastising such people rather than trying to understand them, and challenging their views where necessary, only helps to widen the divide currently exists in western society between the liberal metropolitan left and the rest.

Some of DH's friends are a lot to the right in their views which I have found gives me the rage sometimes. A little racist sometimes but not aggressive with it. Still no excuse. I just remove them from my FB news feed and don't participate in any political conversations. My own friends have tended to be less ignorant mostly pretty liberal and non-judgmental. DH is differently educated to the majority of his friends and doesn't share their views on most things.

Most of us have unconscious biases that probably show up in how we treat other races/nationalities etc. But I could not be friends with someone who thinks there is nothing wrong with those biases and nothing wrong with being racist.

I do have one friend who I suspect voted for Trump. She isn't racist, sexist, or homophobic. Neither is she anti-abortion. But she is part of the economic demographic that Trump targeted. I don't talk politics with her but I wouldn't end the friendship if I discovered she voted Trump.

TheUnworthy DP's Eastern European employee asks him why we let so many blacks into the country

What imperfections though?

Prejudices or views that others find unethical or immoral. I know Christian ethics tend to be scorned by the liberal left but the adages 'do not judge lest you be judged' and 'don't look to take the speck out of your neighbours eye when you have a plank in your own' are apt.

No,never

The race that he thinks should be wiped out...(ignoring the fact that is rather hitler-ish)...has he suffered some sort of "wrong" from someone like the state representing lots of people of this race or something?

I'm trying to dig at whether he has any sort of "valid" grievance. Because you say you are Asian, assuming he is Caucasian, then he doesn't hate everyone who isn't Caucasian like him.

I'm trying to understand his situation.

Absolutely not. I have no time for small minded bigots. No time at all.