Current Events > Do racists believe they're good people?

(+) Yeah! (+)

If so, how?

Some do, absolutely. Partially because they don't believe they're racist.

Racism is bad and racists can't be good people.

So racists convince themselves that they're not actually racist, so that means their bigotry is perfectly normal and rational so they can't possibly be bad people.

Something about how they think other races are poisoning the superior white christian blood.

So yes, they think they're good people and everyone else is evil.

"So in your mind, you aren't racist. You just say and do racist things?" is a phrase I've used IRL.

Good Christians, even

A lot of them have convinced themselves that white people are the real victims of racism.

Racists are convinced that everyone is racist.

there are a lot of people in this country right now who believe their racism is patriotism

Some racist believes being racist simply means they're loving their own race so it's self-empowerment

People that try to hide their racism behind politics.

There is an entire political party in the US that is based on that ideal, so yeah.

They usually try to reframe their racism as a defense of something instead of hating and attacking the people they're racist against. That's why so many white supremacists (including the KKK and Trump) babble on about "white genocide."

So a part of them actually KNOWS they're bad people, but hate being held accountable even more. So they'll do all kinds of mental gymnastics in order to still consider themselves good. What's funny, is that many of them also claim to believe in God, and thinks he'll do the same mental gymnastics as they do.

nocturnal_traveler posted...

So a part of them actually KNOWS they're bad people, but hate being held accountable even more. So they'll do all kinds of mental gymnastics in order to still consider themselves good. What's funny, is that many of them also claim to believe in God, and thinks he'll do the same mental gymnastics as they do.

That's the bizarre part too. They think God will fall for their bullshit but they can't even convince their own kids they're not full of shit.

my mind goes to the "i'm not a hater, i'm a racist" guy in RDR2

They're "good people" towards their own in-group family/tribe, and that's all that counts in their mind. People outside the tribe -- the people they're racist against -- don't actually register as people to them; they're subhuman Others and deserve to be mistreated, same way that you can kick a horse or butcher a cow without feeling too guilty.

mobilebloechel posted...

This definitely has repercussions

Yeah. The horse goes. It's a tool for the rider to use however the rider pleases. This is a sick way to think about other humans, but racists do think just like this. It's how the whole plantation slave system operated.

A_Good_Boy posted...

Racism is bad and racists can't be good people.

So racists convince themselves that they're not actually racist, so that means their bigotry is perfectly normal and rational so they can't possibly be bad people.

Well how can they be bad people when "they have black friends/relatives/FWB"?!?! </sarcasm>

On CE? They refuse believe they are racists.

"Your ancestors yada, yada, yada. My ancestors yada, yada, yada". Racist IMO.

Could be said for every awful person

firm case for 'it depends'

people who are racist online? Absolutely not. But I don't think most are intelligent enough to even consider "good person" as part of their reasoning, they just want the dopamine hit from attention.

In real life? There are an infinite number of people who are otherwise decent in every aspect except when it comes to "those people" (target group may vary). Infinite permutations of careless action or mention that don't necessarily have ill will but *are* racist to some degree. And those get lumped in with the more bigoted types every time the question gets asked.

But in the specific case of bigots and out-and-about racists, no, I don't think they believe they're good people. Some may claim they are, but I think most would be legitimately surprised to be asked if they think they are because they do not think about it to any meaningful degree.

TheOnionKnight posted...

They're "good people" towards their own in-group family/tribe, and that's all that counts in their mind. People outside the tribe -- the people they're racist against -- don't actually register as people to them; they're subhuman Others and deserve to be mistreated, same way that you can kick a horse or butcher a cow without feeling too guilty.

Which makes even less sense if they claim to believe in God, as their holy books say to treat both animals and people with kindness. At least when rich people are bad, you know that they know (and are just lying ). Racists have somehow convinced themselves that not only are they good people, but they think their superiority complex is justified.

Of course. It's similar the criminal mindset. In their heads they are the victims and acting out against injustices in society/the world to try and right wrongs.

SketchDog posted...

Of course. It's similar the criminal mindset. In their heads they are the victims and acting out against injustices in society/the world to try and right wrongs.

Just once I would like to hear a speech from an honest terrorist.

"Yeah. What I'm doing is bad. Yeah. Two wrongs don't make a right. But I don't care!"

nocturnal_traveler posted...

Which makes even less sense if they claim to believe in God, as their holy books say to treat both animals and people with kindness. At least when rich people are bad, you know that they know (and are just lying ). Racists have somehow convinced themselves that not only are they good people, but they think their superiority complex is justified.

Well, various holy texts have been used to support slavery -- as well as the general subjugation of any pagans and heathens and non-believers, etc -- throughout history, so I wouldn't look to religion for guidance here. The slave-holding South loved (and still loves) their Bibles, after all.

TheOnionKnight posted...

Well, various holy texts have been used to support slavery -- as well as the general subjugation of any pagans and heathens and non-believers, etc -- throughout history, so I wouldn't look to religion for guidance here. The slave-holding South loved (and still loves) their Bibles, after all.

Yeah, but if they're going to use it to justify their bigotry, they need to go all in, and not just the parts that they like. Do they really think their God is going to let them into heaven for only half assing his rules?

nocturnal_traveler posted...

Yeah, but if they're going to use it to justify their bigotry, they need to go all in, and not just the parts that they like. Do they really think their God is going to let them into heaven for only half assing his rules?

A big part of being racist is that you don't think.

No, they just think that the people they hate are worse.

Yes, most people who hate things think they're doing a good thing by hating it either to protect their race, country or whatever. There's very few people who do terrible things who actually think they're in the wrong.

HighSeraph posted...

Yes, most people who hate things think they're doing a good thing by hating it either to protect their race, country or whatever. There's very few people who do terrible things who actually think they're in the wrong.

It's very mentally dishonest. Even being incredibly stupid, no matter how shitty of a person you are, there is always this nagging voice that is telling you that what you're doing is wrong. Maybe that's why shitty people tend to use alcohol and drugs heavier than most.

Racist believe they're in mortal danger anytime they travel anywhere or when they see a black dude with a durag on.

Well to look at some racist cliches and an LGBTQ+ one:

- "Black people fit the criminal profile."
- "Immigrants are hurting our finances."
- "The LGBTQ+ community are groomers."

Basically these "ideals" exist because said people believing them are afraid to admit that those who "belong" in the group will never fail or go bad.

Look at that old PSA "Boys Beware". Supposedly informing boys to be wary of predators, all of which are guys. Cause having some be a woman lessens the claim that those straight are safe.

Antiyonder posted...

Well to look at some racist cliches and an LGBTQ+ one:

- "Black people fit the criminal profile."
- "Immigrants are hurting our finances."
- "The LGBTQ+ community are groomers."

Basically these "ideals" exist because said people believing them are afraid to admit that those who "belong" in the group will never fail or go bad.

Look at that old PSA "Boys Beware". Supposedly informing boys to be wary of predators, all of which are guys. Cause having some be a woman lessens the claim that those straight are safe.

I actually watched that PSA. It's also got a not so subtle implication that being gay = pedophile. Common sense and irl examples exist in large numbers to prove the opposite, but like a poster here said, racists don't think. Period.

All the racists I know are immigrants who are angry at undocumented migrants because "they get all the welfare benefits but never had to wait and pay to immigrate legally". They don't recognize their bigotry and don't recognize basic facts like how undocumented people DO pay taxes or DONT get all the welfare they supposedly receive.

Also these people tend to be ignorant of basic systemic racism facts but that's common amongst native born US citizens anyway

Racists are only good around their own race. They are terrible towards others

Hexenherz posted...

All the racists I know are immigrants who are angry at undocumented migrants because "they get all the welfare benefits but never had to wait and pay to immigrate legally". They don't recognize their bigotry and don't recognize basic facts like how undocumented people DO pay taxes or DONT get all the welfare they supposedly receive.

Also these people tend to be ignorant of basic systemic racism facts but that's common amongst native born US citizens anyway

If there's one consolation to get out of the 2024 election, it's that a ton of idiots are getting their comeuppance.

In my experience, racist people often justify their racism by claiming the people they hate on are also racist against them.

nocturnal_traveler posted...

Do they really think their God is going to let them into heaven for only half assing his rules?

Yes.