Black People and the Forgiving of White Racists

Black People and the Forgiving of White Racists 2016-11-14T13:10:44-05:00

tailgate tentby Benjamin Short

This happened recently while tailgating for Memphis. Tent next to ours was completely hammered. Something happened, a little scuffle broke out between a couple really drunk people. We watched, a little amused, cause it all seemed harmless. Then a white guy started yelling at a black guy, “you’re just a no good n—-r.” Friends pushed him out of the tent, he kept yelling and wouldn’t leave. I yelled at him to get his attention. Rough summary was, “shut the fuck up you racist piece of shit and get the fuck out of here.” He didn’t like that very much and looked at me so I repeated myself a few more times. He left. In the tent, black guy is saying “he’s my friend, he knows me” as he fought back tears. Ten minutes later I look over at the tent, racist is back in tent yelling something. I walk over, stand in front of him and say roughly same I said earlier a few times. He finally goes away after I say he can leave or we can call the cops. Now this is the worst part. Twenty minutes later we look over and the racist’s girlfriend made him come back to the black guy and apologize. The black guy is crying uncontrollably as the racist spews some crap about being sorry and the racist starts hugging him.

This morning when everyone is sober the black guy will be expected to forgive him. Next time that group gets together, his friends will likely say that the racist was drunk he didn’t mean it, he’s cool, really! If black guy says I don’t want to ever be around him again (which in my opinion would be what he should say) his friends will say, you just gotta forgive him.

So here’s some of my thoughts…
1)No he doesn’t have to nor should he forgive him.

2)The friends should tell the racist he’s not welcome with them anymore. And the girlfriend should dump him. But none of that will probably happen.

3) I yelled at the guy because first and foremost I wanted him to leave. Also I’d rather have him focused on me than spewing his hate. And when you’re a racist, you deserved to be called for what you are.

What are some of your thoughts??

Donate to the Work of R3

Like the work we do at Rhetoric Race and Religion? Please consider helping us continue to do this work. All donations are tax-deductible through Gifts of Life Ministries/G’Life Outreach, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, and our fiscal sponsor. Any donation helps. Just click here to support our work.


Browse Our Archives