When someone starts with I'm not racist it usually means they are.

wabafee@lemm.ee to Showerthoughts@lemmy.world – 96 points –

Edit: here's my thought process. Why do they need to tell someone they are not. Then proceed to say the most racist thing, lmao.

30

Oh yeah, 100% of the time.

The main reason? Those of us that do not believe in racism whatsoever are still aware that it tends to creep in subconsciously when you're not paying attention. So we still have it too, we just try to fight it inside ourselves to be better people, instead of just being instinct-driven.

Like, I was treated very poorly in my youth for race reasons, so not being racist has always been important to me. Yet since I never grew up around any black people, only really saw them on tv or when we drove somewhere, I experienced some trepidation the first times I was around them a lot as an adult. They're just different. Talk a little different, act a little different, etc. I wasn't afraid per se, just uncomfortable. I had to consciously work to process that to get rid of it.

Anyways though, I'm quite certain there's still some subconscious biases floating around down there. I deal with them when I notice them.

Bingo.
People that say they aren't racist don't understand racism

Are you saying humans are inherently racist? I disagree; I think some people are just raised that way and retain those beliefs into adulthood due to confirmation bias

I believe humans are inherently racist, or actually discriminatory against those not considered part of our "tribe," whatever that may be. We have a built-in "us versus them" mentality that exists despite conscious efforts to educate and be mindful of those attitudes in ourselves. The sooner we admit to subconscious bias, the sooner we can mitigate it by remaining vigilant against that kind of thinking.

You're talking about two different levels. The subtle racism in media, others, and from simple ignorance will still have an effect on anyone.

I'm not racist but...

That last word is important.

Just realize it's a thing, it even has a name for it, apparently it's called rhetorical shields.

I'm not racist, but I really need to clean the garage.

I'm not racist but the world would be a better place with less Elon Musk media.

I'm not racist, but a jew stereotype that fits every jew I've ever met is eating chinese food on christmas

We don't do it on Christmas, but we do it on Thanksgiving. Also we're not Jewish. It's pretty nice.

There's a local restaurant with a cheap tri-tip platter that's damn good, so we do that if I'm not feeling up to a few hours by the smoker at Christmas.

That reminds me of the Japanese Christmas KFC tradition.

I’m not racist, but I love people of all colors and nationalities.

Never listen to what someone says about themselves. Instead watch how they act

I'm not good looking but i think gardening is a good hobby to have.

I'm not [INSERT_BIGOTRY_TYPE], but [INSERT_TEXTBOOK_BIGOTRY_EXAMPLE].

I'm not a homophobe, but these interest rates on mortgages are getting out of hand.

I'm not racist but, (Insert something funny)

I'm not a racist because as a boy I was too slow when I was gokarting...

I'm not racist, but mexicans are damn gine boxers.

That's not racist.

That's what i said, damn mexicans can't listen.

Sometimes if I really want to get someone’s attention, I’ll start a sentence with something like, “I’m not racist, but…”

I say, “I’m not racist, but you look great today.” They say, “That wasn’t racist at all.” I said, “I know. I said I’m not racist. You never listen. Typical Mexican.” ~ Demetri Martin