How do you deal with prejudice?

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   midget38posted 11 years ago

   How do you deal with prejudice?

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   ashleybunnposted 11 years ago

   I do my best to educate people about it, and try to stay constantly mindful of the prejudices around me - even the small instances that so many people choose to ignore. I don't let prejudice directed at me get to me. I feel like the prejudice is very telling about the person passing the judgement, while it says absolutely nothing about me.

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      midget38posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said and totally agreed. The unfair words of a person merely serve to speak volumes about themselves.

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      Radikumposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree gree! Prejudice is a consequence of ignorance; therefore, education is the best way to deal with those types of people. They're alternative options, but they come with some hefty consequences of their own, so just educate and pray they get it

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   DoItForHerposted 11 years ago

   That can be tough. I have a friend who changed his sex from female to male. When others talk about him as an "it" or make other derogatory comments, I don't confront them directly, but make a calm, confident point to speak about my friend as a person while pointedly ignoring the racist comments.
   
   This may not be the best way, but it allows some awkwardness to creep in, as it should, and hopefully gets them thinking long term about their racist comments. Racism takes a long time to heal, so I try to keep a constant, low-key approach to hopefully make a difference.

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   feenixposted 11 years ago

   I am a 66-year-old black man and I deal with prejudice by NOT dealing with it.
   
   For example, on an occasion when a person, group or entity is prejudiced or biased towards me because of my race, my attitude is that is not my problem -- it is theirs.
   
   Yes, that is my attitude and the reason why is when some one, some group or some entity has a negative view of me because of the color of my skin -- or shuts me out from something or the other because I am black -- they are missing a golden opportunity to make contact with a good person, good neighbor, good friend, good customer, good worker, good citizen, and all-around cool dude.
   
   In summation, when others are prejudiced towards me, that does not ever break my heart, because I have NO doubt that I am just as "good" as anyone else -- and so far as that goes, I am a whole lot "better" than a great many people.   
   
   Additionally, when some person, some group or some entity attempts to harm me in some way or the other because of their racial prejudice or racial bias towards me, I am always readly, willing and able to defend myself, even if it comes down to carrying out measures with deadly consequences.

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      DoItForHerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Feenix, that is interesting. I'm a white dude that grew up in a remote, white bread mountain town. I didn't experience prejudice AT ALL until I became a single parent. After a while I started buying into that I was a deadbeat. Turns out I never was.

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      feenixposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      DoItForHer, any one who believes that a "single-parent dude" is a deadbeat is a fool. And who in the hell cares how a fool views things?

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      midget38posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, we cannot undo the bias of others - we can only say that it is their loss and not ours if they have negative and unhealthy reactions.

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      floriferousposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said, Feenix. Great attitude.

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   edhanposted 11 years ago

   Ignore will be the best method.
   
   You are being yourself and there is no need to react when someone is being prejudice.
   
   If you know someone is a victim of prejudice, tell him/her to ignore and live his/her life the way they want to.
   
   It is what you want in life to live it the way you want is most important regardless of what others may think or feel about.
   
   Be yourself!

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   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   First of all, turn the other cheek.
   
   Smile.
   
   Ask a probing question which sheds light on their action, but do it with love.
   
   If they don't respond favorably or with shame for their actions, then simply walk away.

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      midget38posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed. It is no point getting into a tussle which involves a battle with others and oneself in terms of forgiveness and hurt.

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   Dexter Yarbroughposted 11 years ago

   Sometimes I will confront it head on. At other times, I may ignore it. It depends on the situation and how I am feeling about it at the time.

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      midget38posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, we should pick our battles-some are just not worth it!

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8. 0

   VeronicaInspiresposted 11 years ago

   I think we all have prejudices of some kind, and have certainly experienced it personally on many levels; as a young child and well into my adulthood. Very hurtful. Very unnecessary.
   
   As far as others, I give others the chance to find out about the kind of person I am. I give them time to “warm up” to me. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.
   
   As far as my own prejudices, I have to keep myself in check and remind myself that I can't lump everyone into a category. I open myself up to new experiences and to new people and find out there are “good” people and “bad” people across every race and class, and it's usually never people I “thought”.
   
   And you have to lead by example. PARTICULARLY AROUND CHILDREN. Displaying an accepting, loving attitude towards everyone you meet usually does it.

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      midget38posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      True, Veronica. It comes in every form, and it's always a two way street! Thanks for this very lovely answer!

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      VeronicaInspiresposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No problem! It was a GREAT question!

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   Raine Law Yuenposted 9 years ago

   I'm writing a hub about prejudice and how we can deal with it in an empowering way - whilst doing some research I came across this hub. I think what makes any social ill evil is that it is resistant and persists because it is often done under the radar. For example being excluded, non verbal communication, saying one thing but meaning another.  This makes it often all the more difficult to deal with because the perpetrator can easily deny your accusations if confronted.

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