I'm sad and I have no fabulous story about how I won over the racist

[tavalon]

I was in a drugstore in Kenmore, Washington, waiting on a script. Being that I'm sick, I was wearing a mask to protect the other patrons from my gru.

Anyway, I was standing by the checkout and heard the guy in front of me exclaim that he wouldn't put a Romney sign in his yard but he didn't want " that black man" in the Whitehouse. My eyes got huge and he said "what!" somewhat belligerently. Now, remember, I'm sick, but all I could come up with is "you're a racist". He walked out in a huff and no teachable moment was achieved and I'm sad because my friend is right, racism isn't as overt here in Washington as it was in Texas but it's still here.

edited to add: I'm even whiter than usual because I'm sick

[pearlry]

1. hi-hi

Google it, and you will know whatever you want to know.

[tavalon]

3. ? I don't understand

[ananda]

2. I think you did great!

Racism must be counteracted whenever and wherever it shows its ugly face,
no matter how. You did just that, and you did just fine.

[tavalon]

4. For being all sniffly

I guess. But I usually have a razor sharp mind. I was not at my best, but thank you. I still have a few problems with Obama, but never have any of them had to do with his skin. And RMoney, well I have a problem with his attitude. I don't vote for sociopaths.

[Notafraidtoo]

5. They always come to me with their stories

Because I am white and look kinda brooding,white men and women come up to me often at work or in public( those that don't know me very well of course) and tell me some racist story about mexicans do this blacks do this etc. thinking i will agree with them cause I look like the typical white guy that would.

I always respond to them after they finish their story with " I am not racist" often they look at me with a blank stare surprised and mostly have no idea what to say ..some will say i am not racist either and i will respond then "why the racist story? how can you hold accountable a entire race based on the actions of a few?" then i say "I just don't see the world the way they do and that they might want to consider they may be racist and not know it..If one guys a jackass and we all know jackasses of all races that does not mean everyone from that group is a jackass...

[tavalon]

8. See that's the teachable moment, or barring that,the sublime moment

I was just too sick to rise to the occasion. Most people who know me, know to back away when I hear racism, sexism, homophobia. They also know that when I'm called out on the subtler forms of isms, I am quickly contrite and do not repeat them.

Two that come to mind was me saying a dumb blonde joke and making a magic underwear joke. I realized they were isms and I want no part of them

[JDPriestly]

6. Racism is everywhere. You did the right thing. You identified it and

let this person know that you recognized it. That's how people start thinking about the way their racism affects others. Thanks.

[tavalon]

7. I guess looking back, I feel okay

I was sick and rather than try to show the absurdity of his viewpoint, I just barely, between the shock and sickness, was able to label racism in real time and that's good enough.