Do you ever find yourself overcompensating for racism these days?

[FirstLight]

I work in the service industry and sometimes I feel like I want to go the extra mile and be more empathetic to those who are most likely on the receiving end of this madness...

While I know it's not going to stop the hate, or the bullets flying for that matter, I still try and be more understanding with those who may have a language or cultural barrier in everyday interactions... Like working hard to get their name spelling correct and just be friendly, like you SHOULD BE to Everyone anyway. Right?

My town is also visited by multitudes of foreign visitors...from so many countries (probably seen as "shitholes" by the MAGAs) I find them fascinating and also BRAVE AF to even come to the US at all, considering...

I dunno, it's just something I noticed in myself when at work a while ago and thought I'd mention it.

[applegrove]

1. I smile at old people because they were used to people smiling at them

and saying good day back way back when. They light up when i do most often. I smile at lots of people. Others i don't smile at if it looks like they could take it the wrong way. Am i being unfair generalizing people on their age, sex or race? Yup. I know nothing about most of them. I have a bad memory for faces i've only seen a few times. I go on what people's mood seems to be too. Why not? Sometimes i've witnessed racism in action. I've not seen the equivalent directed at white people. Plus sometimes people who are just assholes treat everybody bad but if you are not white you could take it as racism. So i smile at people who will get it and savour it the right way if i am in an outward mood.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I find myself seeking out Muslim, black, and Hispanic families

in stores to start conversations with. It's like I want them to know all white people aren't racists.

[MuseRider]

3. It sounds to me like you go out of your way to be nice

because you are nice. You find them fascinating and brave, I think many of us feel that way. I like to learn about them and their experiences in their home countries but I don't think that is overcompensating, I think it is just a nice, kind way to behave to people who are learning a new way of life. It is the only way for us to overcome what is happening.

If they do not want to participate they will let you know but I bet many of them are anxious to talk about their home. In this day and age it cannot be bad to go out of our way to make others feel good about who they are and to welcome them here.

Good for you. It is nice to learn so much isn't it? Even nicer to have new friends.

[FirstLight]

7. exactly!

It's like when we have guests that I can tell are speaking french and I try and talk to them, but they know I'm not that great, and we both end up laughing!


I love just making people happy, too

We're all in this together, you know?

[Joe941]

4. I feel the same sometimes, but then wonder if...

That act would be unwanted and I should just treat people all the same. It's hard to know...

[Wiseman32218]

5. Yes, the other day I stopped for breakfast and

paid for 2 elderly black men's breakfast at McDonalds. They seemed frail and did not order much so I don't feel I did enough, but they were happy and more grateful than non AA's. One was a Nam Vet and the other was recovering from minor surgery. I felt great and were very thankful. If the opportunity arises again I will gladly do the same thing.

[Skittles]

6. beware

I have seen editorials accusing white people of "over-smiling"

[FirstLight]

8. yeahhhh, but

It's not like I am being overtly condescending either. I just want to make sure I don't act like a MAGA bitch when faced with someone with a arabic name...you know?

[Skittles]

9. yeah, I know

[RobinA]

10. Nope

I work in a situation where white is the minority and have been called names and disrespected frequently. I try to be nice and keep my mouth shut. The culture is not mine.

[enough]

11. I've been wondering about this. I'm a 75 year old white person

and I’m well aware of how annoying it could be for people of color to find someone like me coming at them with all kinds of nods and smiles. On the other hand there’s no doubt we are in an emergency situation in our country. I personally often feel like a hostage in my own country, so I can imagine how much worse this must be for people who aren’t “white.” So what I’ve settled on is eye contact. I try to be open to eye contact with everyone I come across and try to stay human with whatever comes back, if anything. It’s sometimes uncomfortable but I can’t think what else to do, aside from the usual forms of political action, which don’t give much hope these days.

[FirstLight]

12. ...."A hostage in my own country..."

yes, and it's honestly very scary... that's where I hope that by being a little more open to my fellow humans, we can get through this together. I can't say the same about trying to be kind or humane to the MAGAs...their hate is like a noxious cloud around them