How do you get people to be less misogynist, sexist, racist and homophobic?

1. 68

   Celeb Scoopsposted 8 years ago

   How do you get people to be less misogynist, sexist, racist and homophobic?
   
   I'm at the point in life in which I just do not understand how people aren't woke... just wake up and understand the world is not meant for hatred and inequality and just because you do not like something or you were raised to hate it, doesn't mean you should go around putting other people down and making them feel like this world was not made for them. So I really need to know how to drill this idea into the minds of everyone who just does not get it.

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   1. 91

      blueheronposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      How do you drill into the minds of people that other people's thoughts, beliefs, and opinions are none of their business, and that it is inappropriate to try to control them? That others have a God-given right to their own personal views and beliefs? That you have no right to attempt to force people to approve of you or like you?
      
      Perhaps you should stop trying to force your own views on other people.
      
      I often encounter this attitude among my gay friends--which seems to boil down to a demand that people like them or approve of them. Their equal protection under the law is now pretty well established--even to the point of their being designated as a protected class in many respects, and thus enjoying special privileges and set-asides. But, damn it! Some people still don't approve of them or like them!
      
      Some people don't like or approve of me. But I believe I would be a little ashamed and embarrassed to promote legislation to force them to.

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2. 0

   LoliHeyposted 8 years ago

   You can't change them.  Pray for them.

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3. 82

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   Truth be told society is less misogynist, sexist, racist and homophobic now than it ever was! If you compare today to the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s without a doubt there has been progress.
   We have women and minorities who are executives of Fortune 500 companies, the Supreme Court has struck down laws that once forbid interracial marriage and same sex marriage. The president of the U.S. is a minority and there is a chance the next president may be a woman. The CEOs of General Motors, Xerox, IBM, Oracle, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Yahoo, and PepsiCo are women.
   The 19th amendment granting women the right to vote was in 1920. Clearly no one could argue there has not been advancement.
   Just about every hit TV show features a gay or lesbian couple as part of it's cast: Grey's Anatomy, Empire, Modern Family, Scandal, and so on. Sean Penn won an Oscar for portraying a gay man.
   Caitlyn Jenner was featured on the cover Vanity Fair.
   Openly gay and lesbian people are being allowed into the military.
   Personally speaking I can't imagine any other era where it was this accepting to be whomever you are with laws forbidding discrimination.
   Having said that there will never be a time where everyone accepts everyone! We still have wars over religious ideology in various countries! That has been going on for thousands of years.
   However no one can deny society is less misogynist, sexist, racist and homophobic. Those people who feel there has been no progress either lack a historical perspective for comparison or they have unrealistic expectations. Progress happens slowly.
   Each new generation is more socially tolerant and accepting than the previous. Nevertheless there will always be those who hate others.

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      Besarienposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer dashingscorpio. You hit all my major points. Just adding that there are places in the world that have either made no progress or are backsliding. We should all do what we can to protect our own advances and set a good example for others.

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   2. 82

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Besarien!

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4. 91

   VerityPriceposted 8 years ago

   In my day to day life, I try to call people out on it whenever I see it. If someone makes a misogynistic joke towards me, I'll make it very clear that I don't find it funny AND I will make sure to tell them why.
   
   Its also really important, I feel, to show your open support for any minority groups; e.g. one of my best friends is dating someone non-binary and you can count on the fact that I am gonna correct people who use incorrect pronouns for them - whether they are with me or not.  Every friend I have ever had who has come out to me has gotten a congrats card and present from me: coz I have to show them that I have their back if anyone tries to use it against them.
   
   I think that as an ally to any community the best things I can do is:
   -Listen to minorities when they tell me how to support them and what not to do
   -Openly oppose any bigot who tries to bring anyone down
   -Use my position of privilege to give minority groups a voice: rather than talk over them

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5. 50

   bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years ago

   First, I think it is poor form to label people. Second, none of these labels have a valid objective meaning. Racist, and homophobic are unilateral terms that are themselves offensive.

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