six-ED 101: SPEAK UP: Ways to Respond to Bigotry

As Americans, I'm sure that in some way we've all experienced some form of Bigotry. Whether we are the one's its used towards or the one's using it, we have allowed it to invade our society as, in some forms, an accepted way to live. Whether it's intention is harmless; words, pictures, acts, emails and any other forms of bigotry cause harm to US as Americans.

Here's Some Stories of about how bigotry has affected others some, which are to too familiar:

My Cousin used to come visit me whenever he was doing business in town. One time he was over and used the N-word, and I said 'I don't use that word", but he still used it a few more times. I finally said, 'Don't Use that word. If you're going to use that word, I'm going to ask you to find somewhere else to stay.' It was like a game to him, to use the word to see how I'd react.

Describe how you are Feeling. Let the person know that these words harm you.

My young daughter wrapped a towel around her head and said she wanted to be a terrorist for halloween- "like the man down the street." The man down the street wears a turban for religious reasons. What should I tell my daughter?

Be A ROLE MODEL. If parents treat others poorly based on differences, children will more than likely repeat what they see

I was speaking with a white Co-worker when, midway through the conversation, she smiled and said, "You speak so clearly. Have you had diction lessons?"- Like for an African American to speak clearly, we'd have to take diction lessons.

Interrupt Early. If People are lax in responding to bigotry, then it prevails. Speak early to build respect.

Working as a teacher in school, you hear it everywhere"That's so Gay" . All the children say it, as a way to compare something bad to being gay . I always respond by saying"What's so homosexual about it?" other Examples "That's retarded" and "That's So Ghetto" It seems like a tedious task and I'm not there to catch it every time it happens, but I by persuading students not to use it I can try to stop it in the future.

ASK QUESTIONS. Why is that "gay"? What is "retarded about it?"

I'm a 20 year old African American college student from South Carolina. All my life, I've been called an "Oreo" or had things said to me such as "Oh, you're black on the outside, but white on the inside" and "You're so white." What is "being white?"

Affirm Your Pride. Say you are proud to be what you are.

A 18 year old Hispanic woman goes shopping in a craft store to spend her hard earned money. A manager follows her and asks repeatedly what she is looking for. Other customers, all white, are browsing without being asked such questions. When she protests, she leaves and responds "I thought those decades were over, when they could throw you out of a store for being Hispanic"

Tell Others. and Speak for Yourself. Let the person know you are being mistreated and deserve to have respect at a place where you are spending your money.

Visit www.tolerence.org to learn of other ways to OVERCOME Everyday Bigotry.