This frustrated me. Because these unaware people did not see, or care to see, the instances of racism that were so clear to me, I had (and still have) a lot of difficulty reacting to racist comments. I often took a chance and called someone out for using a racist term, but when I received strange looks or questions addressing why I had such a reaction I had a hard time articulating my point of view. As the class progressed, my confidence with the evidence of racism increased, and I became more confident in addressing these issues with the people close to me. Over some time of expressing my anti-racism ideas such as simply responding with “I don’t like that word,” I noticed that those people would refrain from using such words or comments when around me. I was not sure what they were saying or supporting when I was not present, but I thought it was enough that my presence, in relation to my speaking out, prompted them to check themselves.

It is a slow battle that does not happen with one comment or conversation. What I learned in Contemporary Racism is that I can be a valuable advocate in many ways, which could simply mean reading and staying well-versed on the issues. Keeping the conversation going amongst allies and bringing it to friends and family who might be unaware of the issues can absolutely make a difference.

I agree that this is a very difficult situation and I myself have also experienced a similar one and felt too uncomfortable to say anything to anyone. Yet now that Keith brings this question up, I think I was wrong in not saying anything. By not reacting I was condoning the racist behavior. Thinking about Connie’s questions: I do not think it is weird if you are not the perpetrator because you are still acknowledging that the behavior was wrong even if you did not do it. I think that being a different or same race as the person experiencing this abuse would make a difference in the outcome of this conversation and how the person would take it. This would all contribute to the situation, but over all I still think saying something is better than saying nothing at all. Although I have been told that you have to pick your battles. What makes it okay and not okay to say something? When do you know how to choose your battles?