How can I stop being so racist? Please help me?

Question

It is starting to make me so mad that I am this way. Every time I am around a group of people Ia assume stuff about them just because of their race.

It wasn't always like this. When I was much younger, like around 16 and under, I was not racist. This was back when I didn't have T.V.. Once I started befriending negative people, reading about history in high school, and started listening to parodies about racism I started to change. Now I assume stuff about others. I hate it so much and I wish to return to that girl that I once was. If not something close. Help?

Answer 1

You are not racist if you just "assume" something about someone. What makes a person racist is their actions after their assumptions. If you refuse to believe a person can be good simply because of their skin color, then you are a racist.

The animal brain naturally categorizes the things around them, because it makes easier, and quicker observations to be made about the world, before something harmful can become of them.

This categorization is experienced in all human beings, regardless of color. And, as I said, you are only racist if you let these initial observations prohibit any further observations. If this is the case, then just think of it in those terms, and then force yourself to assume that there are many positive things that you don't know about that person.

Answer 2

I was raised in an extremely racist family and it is so deeply ingrained in me I can't shake it. It makes it harder that my Grandson is half Black which in itself isn't so bad but his Father did just what I expected him to do. He ran off and left her with nothing.

As long as the stereotypes keep appearing in my life then I don't know how to stop the way I think.

  

Answer 3

Often things assumed can be true but not always, and it is bad to think that way. In order to get over this your going to have to start thinking before action and its not always a physical action more of a mental action. before you assume for example an asian - there going to sound funny because there asian. think but on the other hand they could perfectly speak english and be a doctor. (no offense to any race) Slowly and slowly by doing this you will just get out of the habit and maybe think positive things. Just erase racism from your mind pretend it doesn't exist, when you meet someone if you have to just pretend there invisible for a second - listen to what they speak and build them upon there character and what they say don't always just assume the keyword here is listen.

Answer 4

The reason you just assume is because you don't KNOW any of them.  You have to make friends (real friends, not just acquaintances) to get to know the person and not the race from which they come.

Answer 5

Take it easy on yourself-don't be such a self critic.look at the positive side.At least you know that there is something going on with you.That's good.first of all, just because you assume things based on race does not nean that you're "racist", that's a strong word and I doubt that it applies to you. Maybe it means that you're just 'observant'.If you were a 'racist', then you would assume those things whether you were'around' those people or not. Going by what you have said, you assume these things when you're 'around' certain people.I'm willing to bet that there is a reason other than race that makes you assume things about these people.Maybe the've behaved in ways that are not typical of what you're use to and because they're different from what you're use to, you associate thier behavior (or EXPECTED behavior with thier presence)That's not 'racist'.We're all the kind of people who associate one thing with another thing.When I'm around a bunch of girls, Im uncomfortable because I assume they will talk about things I'm not all that familiar with.When I'm around a bunch of guys, I assume they will talk about sports,or girls. I Don't know a lot about sports and I don't want to talk about girl in ways that make me uneasy like vulgarity and stuff.There are always people who do not fit into what we think they will fit into-these people are the ones we grow to be friends with, they have become interesting to us.Racism is negative and hurtful. You have not indicated that you are either of those. you have demonstrated a desire to be opposite of that.So dont worry, you keep working on it you will be ok.Today's world will have you thinking that it's a bad thing to watch-out for yourself and be observant of people, but it's always ok to check people out and keep your guard up til you get to know someone-no matter what color they are.

Answer 6

Society, Media and people around us provide the input that can allow us to think of people in a different way.  All you can try to do it see them in your own eyes and not the worlds eyes.

Answer 7

everyone makes instant judgments about people according to the most obvious things, race being one of them. that is not racist. if you think some people deserve to be treated differently because of their race then you are in trouble. definition of racism:

"Racism, by its simplest definition, is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. People with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their racial groups."

you seem to be aware that you make instant judgments, but the important thing is to move on beyond them and be open to learn about people from them and not from what the media feeds us.

Answer 8

At least you know that you are like this, some people think that their racist thinking is right, just as soon as you start thinking that way stop yourself and pay attention to who the people are, not just their skin colour