Racism 101: Are you a Racist?

This is a favorite line of a bigot. If it’s racism that is being discussed, the line will be “You think anyone who disagrees with you is a racist.” You can pretty much fill in the blank with any oppressed group or issue. 

This is one of those magical catch all phrases. It achieves several things at once. The following are the most useful to the person using this line-

It distracts the conversation and the opposition. This line makes it seem like it’s you, not them, who has a problem. It’s you who are needlessly angry. It’s you who would call just ANYONE who disagreed with you a racist. This one is almost amusing because I always imagine saying that I like strawberries and someone else saying that they prefer grapes only to have me scream, “RACIST” in their face. Really? Just anyone who disagrees with me, huh?

It relieves them of any wrong doing. If you think they are racist SOLELY because they disagree with you, then it is you who is overreacting not them, who need to change their thinking. Again, it’s your fault that you’re mad. Not theirs. You are mad because they disagree, not because they are racist?

It allows them to be the victim. They were just minding their business, giving an opinion and the big bad meanie came and started yelling at them for no reason what so ever. Is that what REALLY happened? Probably not. However, if they throw this line at you, it’s you who have done something wrong. Why are you picking on this sweet innocent person? Pfft!

It’s you. If you haven’t guessed already, the entire purpose of this line is to blame you for calling out the ignorant thing they just said instead of them having to own up to what they’ve said/done.

When someone says this to you, remember, they are saying it because they know they are wrong. No one with the knowledge to back up their words and actions will ever need to throw out this line. People use this as a smoke screen, a get out of jail free card or a way to make themselves seem like the victim. Stay the course. People who say this don’t have a leg to stand on. Let them say it, laugh at how pitiful they are that they can’t even back up their own ignorant actions and continue to call them out.