5 Things To Do When You're Faced With Prejudice | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

5 Things To Do When You're Faced With Prejudice

You're not alone, I promise.

182
5 Things To Do When You're Faced With Prejudice
Pixabay

Personally, I've dealt with prejudice in my daily life more times than I care to admit. Being a tad bit of a hot head, I know I have not made the best decisions when confronted by those with such views, but that is the point of me making this. I don't want others to make the same mistakes I have. I don't want others to feel alone when racial slurs and random comments hit a little too close to home. I promise each and every one of you, you're not alone.

1. Stay Calm

Staying calm is the most vital piece of advice you have to remember. It's always going to be our instinct to defend ourselves when someone is being offensive towards us and those we love, but that emotion can turn to anger very quickly. You can clench your fist and grit your teeth, but take a deep breath before you say anything. The last thing you want to do is to prove their point for them, so stay calm.

2. Ask Questions

There is nothing wrong with asking questions to those with prejudices. Personally, I enjoy asking questions like, "Why do you believe that?" or "When did you start to form this view?" and even sometimes, "Is this your belief, or do believe that because your family does?" Sometimes it can help to get past the harsh words and create a conversation. As unappetizing as that may sound most of the time, this is your opportunity to change someone's mind. Start the conversation, and ask questions.

3. Get Out

There is nothing wrong with walking away. If whoever is yelling slurs at you or just being a horrible person in general to you, GET OUT. The best thing you can do is start to walk away and don't turn around for anything. Maybe you're like me, and you can feel yourself getting angry. You know yourself, so breathe and recognize if you cannot handle yourself in the situation. You're better than those that try to taunt you. Walk away.

4. Turn to those close to you

A lot of us prefer to turn inwards when something negative happens in our lives. We dive so deep into our own mind and basically shut down to the rest of the world. I promise you, there are many people around you that can help. None of us are alone in this crazy world. All you need to do is find someone, family or friend, that's willing to lend an ear. Talking about problems allows us to have a sense that someone else really cares about the problems you're dealing with. You don't have to go through this life alone. Turn to those close to you.

5. Remember your experience

Awhile after the event, many of us would probably try to block out what happened. Maybe try to toss it to the side and say it doesn't matter, but we can't afford to do that. Sure, some can just shrug it off, but I'm tired of having to. Prejudice will always exist unless we do something about it. Take the sadness, the anger, the whatever your feelings were, and share your story. We learn about the past to fix the present and better the future.

Don't forget... remember your experience.

"People who are aware of, and ashamed of, their prejudices are well on their road to eliminating them." — Gordon Allport
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

14606
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2923
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1756
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments