How to Deal with a Racist Remark

A couple of years ago I wrote a post about being called a racial slur in my hometown. The post generated a lively discussion. As a follow-up, we decided to put together a flow chart that illustrates possible courses of action a person might take when an unfortunate incident like this occurs. While choosing to turn and walk away is always an option, those on the receiving end of racism are fully aware that these incidents are upsetting, and sometimes it makes sense to stand up for yourself and others.

How to Deal With a Racist Remark
How to Deal With a Racist Remark (click for larger image)

You will notice after viewing the flowchart that one of the scenarios suggests you unleash a comeback that is so brilliant it literally freezes the provoker in his or her tracks. We left this scenario up to your imagination, but we thought it might be productive (and fun) to post our best comebacks in the comments section below. That way we can all benefit from one another’s collective wisdom.These insults have a knack for catching you unawares, when you least expect them, leading to feelings of regret and thoughts of what you coulda, shoulda, woulda said had you been ready.

*Note: One possible course of action in the flowchart is a violent response. In light of the Trayvon Martin verdict/incident this scenario is highly risky and deeply discouraged.

The biggest and most consistent problem with racial insults is they almost always come out the blue. These insults have a knack for catching you unawares, when you least expect them, leading to feelings of regret and thoughts of what you coulda, shoulda, woulda said had you been ready. So that is what we are going to do here: prepare for the next time it happens.

A couple months ago, I saw the movie 42: The Jackie Robinson Story. There was a scene in which Jackie is brought up to the Brooklyn Dodger’s minor league farm team and an African American journalist named Wendell Smith attempts to prepare Jackie for answering reporters’ questions. Jackie is dismissive, but Wendell persists, telling Jackie, “You can either have the questions come at you slow or fast.”

This exercise is all about having the insults come at you slow. Since the incident has not occurred yet, you have all the time in the world to compose yourself and come up with a great comeback.

And for those of you who think that racism is a thing of the past, read this essay written by WNBA player Brittney Griner, and this article, both published in The New York Times.

It's important to acknowledge and discuss race-related incidents when they occur. . . . To be able to talk about it is not easy but we need to be able to flex those muscles. —Shawna J. Beasley, LMSWWe also consulted a couple of professionals about this subject. Shawna J. Beasley, LMSW, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, is heavily involved with their organization’s initiative to deal with race issues, called Confronting Organizational Racism. She had this to say: “One way to prepare children to confront racism is to teach them about their backgrounds and instill pride in them. We need to arm children with information about who they are.”

Shawna goes on to add: “It’s important to acknowledge and discuss race-related incidents when they occur. Some people have these encounters and they’re not sure what happened. Afterwards they say, ‘I don’t know what that was but it didn’t feel good.’ To be able to talk about it is not easy but we need to be able to flex those muscles.”

Kirk Manning, a behavior therapist, MA, Psychology and Education, had this to say: “Looking long term, the United States has become more accepting and we will see fewer incidences of overt racism, which will lessen as each generation becomes better educated. But it is going to take time and change is slow.”

So let’s give this a try. Remember, you can come up with a response for an incident in which you are personally being attacked and/or a response for an incident in which someone else is being verbally attacked. I’ll go first.

12 thoughts on “How to Deal with a Racist Remark”

  1. Someone makes a racist remark:
    What did you say?
    Provoker repeats insult.
    What you just said to me makes you come off as small-minded and uneducated.
    Is that how you want people to see you?

    Someone makes a racist remark about someone else:
    Why did you call him that?
    Provoker replies: “I’m not talking to you.”
    Yes, but when you call him that you are offending me too. Are you comfortable being who you are? Are you happy being a racist? What is your name? Would you be fine with your boss, your family, or your friends knowing that you are a racist?

  2. I have no witty comeback other than to give a long, drawn-out and eyes-glazing-over historical rundown of the etymology of the slur used.

    As a woman, when I’ve protested something along these lines, I’ve experienced verbally aggressive responses from the (male) perpetrator, which can make it a little scary. However, I was also told by a woman of color I shared a con panel with “We need you to have our back” when I hear a slur against POC. So, keeping in mind that I should balance safety with justice, I intend to speak up when the situation warrants it.

    And yes, it always surprises me that people still say stuff like that.

  3. I always do like the classic “How would you feel if someone said that to your mother/sister/brother/etc,” although it doesn’t work in every context.

    I also like a response I read once from an African American woman who was talking about an offensive joke she heard someone tell once. She basically just said, “I have to deal with this stuff all the time in real life. It’s not funny for me. Your joke is not my joke.

  4. This is a most powerful article and chart/visual. Racism is real and we must equip the victims to handle and cope. Please see my blog where I used Gordon Allport’s degrees of prejudice regarding the Zimmerman-Martin trial… I can’t find a way to post the diagram at this point. Kudos for your post!!

  5. It is not a big stretch to extend this conversation to include gender discrimination. Women especially should take note b/c this exercise could ready you for the next time a sexist insult gets lobbed in your direction.

    I recall a woman telling me that a couple of teenagers insulted her when she was with her husband. She being quick witted, and confident, marched up to the offender and asked him: “How would you like it if someone said what you said to your mother? Or your sister?”

    The teenager was so surprised and ashamed he hung his head, and mumbled “sorry.”

  6. A couple of times, I’ve been on the receiving end of “Oh, Allie, I think you’re being too sensitive. I read Indian in the Cupboard/Strawberry Girl/Tikki Tikki Tembo when I was a kid, and I didn’t turn out racist.” I always want to reply, “Ya sure?” but finally landed on “Maybe you should re-read it. You might think differently now.”

  7. Since I’m Asian, the constant racist remark I hear is “Ching Chong blah blah” to which I always respond “What did you say? I don’t speak stupid.”

    I have a serious smart mouth. this is why I get into trouble. But I will NEVER back down from racism.

  8. Perp uses racist term.
    Me: What you said could be hurtful to someone in that group.
    Perp: People in that group use that term all the time.
    Me: You have a family, right? It’s like how you can rip on your brother, but you wouldn’t let anyone outside of your family rip on your brother.

  9. Someone says something racist.
    Whip out your phone and snap a picture of the racist.
    Run.
    Post picture online with the racist quote & the racist’s name.

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