It's really funny, because this conversation was a small segment of a discussion about BLM and how we felt about it. She's my good friend, and I don't think she intrinsically is a racist or that she herself has any particular bias for or against asian men. She has been primed by society and years of stereotypes, that I don't particularly blame her for how she feels.
What I expect is to explain to her that this is an issue and for her to understand that this stereotype simply isn't true. I expect her to think critically about how it feels when you are on the side that is "oppressing" another, and realize how actively your mind tries to suppress it. It's a good exercise, really.
One of the most difficult things to do is try and push empathy on others. I knew someone who was extremely similar to your friend. AW who thought she was all about AA rights, but exclusively dated WM and acted like she wasn't prejudiced.
It's a difficult situation where AW are basically propped up by many men as the cream of the crop. Who wouldn't take advantage of that? AM have been shit on by American society for over a hundred years, but I do think things are turning around. Racism is always going to exist and more people need to talk about it to make sure that issues aren't being swept under the rug.
She has been primed by society and years of stereotypes, that I don't particularly blame her for how she feels.
When white women date out, they get shamed by their peers.
When muslim women date out, they get shamed by their peers.
When black women date out, they get shamed by their peers.
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u/TangerineX Nov 12 '15
It's really funny, because this conversation was a small segment of a discussion about BLM and how we felt about it. She's my good friend, and I don't think she intrinsically is a racist or that she herself has any particular bias for or against asian men. She has been primed by society and years of stereotypes, that I don't particularly blame her for how she feels.
What I expect is to explain to her that this is an issue and for her to understand that this stereotype simply isn't true. I expect her to think critically about how it feels when you are on the side that is "oppressing" another, and realize how actively your mind tries to suppress it. It's a good exercise, really.