I'm guilty, I profile Blacks and other minorities.

[safeinOhio]

Yes I'm an older White guy and I make a point of smiling and talking to anyone that looks, sounds or dresses different than I do. It cost nothing to be nice.

I find that much more rewarding than posting on the net. I do that too, but I find that more like farting into the wind. I'm lucky in that I do have the gift of gab and have no problem engaging strangers.

[LostinRed]

1. When I was running the other day

There was a Muslim couple walking (I assume Muslim the woman was wearing and Looked middle eastern) I never say hello to people when I run I purposely waved and gave them a cheerful “good evening.” As a middle age white guy I thought it was important.

[safeinOhio]

2. I hope you brought a smile to their faces.

It usually does and that is my reward.

[JI7]

11. It really is something so simple that white people0 and others with privilege

can do that can make a difference in people's lives for the better.

[Queen of the Iceni]

3. I bet that makes them folk feel really important to have whitey talk or smile at them.

[hlthe2b]

4. Really? I don't think the OP meant anything remotely deserving of that comment.

I realize you took condescension from his comment, but I'd urge you to realize that was not the intent.

[safeinOhio]

6. Whitey?

I also try to never prejudge anyone. I've lived in Detroit and worked at an auto factory for 40 years. I'm very comfortable around all people.

[LostinRed]

7. Yeah male white privilege is a burden sometimes

[IluvPitties]

8. The OP is being friendly and welcoming.

We need more of that in America. As a black person myself, I appreciate the kindness.

[Raine]

9. hmmmmm

[JI7]

10. Not important but like a respected human being

And happy that there are white people who can recognize they can make the effort to improve race relations.

And i say this as a minority myself.

[EffieBlack]

12. Was that necessary?

How sad that your first reaction to someone who is trying to the right thing is to mock and insult them.

[Maeve]

5. At training for election poll work, we are told that the way we treat people

Is one of the strongest influences on how they feel about voting and democracy--smile, be pleasant and encouraging, and welcome all.
Seems a good policy for daily living as well.

[EffieBlack]

13. I do the same whenever I see people who are different than me but considered "others"

For example, I particularly make a point of making eye contact with, smiling at and speaking to people who appear to be Muslim. While I know what it’s like to be judged and mistrusted by some whites, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to regularly be treated with open scorn the way Muslims often are.

So while it may be overdoing it to go out of my way to treat them kindly, I figure that maybe I’m helping to make up for the way someone else treated them today.

A few days after 911, I was trying on clothes in a communal dressing room when a Muslim woman came in with her little girl. Having personally witnessed my Muslim friends and coworkers treated with unmasked hostiility in the aftermath of the tragedy, I went out of my way to be nice to this woman and her little girl. When I left the dressing room, I heard the girl say, “She was nice, Mommy.” And her mother responded, “Yes, she was. Remember that most people are like her, not like the others.”

So I hear you, and appreciate all you try to heal the damage we do to each other. I wish there were more like you.