Some things of note...
When conversing with a progressive or ally type of crowd, here are some statements it might do you good to avoid using. If you recognized yourself from the previous entry, here are some simple solutions to avoid really messing up your friendships or alienating people:
- I have lots of [insert minority group of your choice here] friends!
We have already gone over this statement. Your little rainbow coalition of buddies does not give you a pass to make some small-minded comment, so keep the comment to yourself and stop using your friends as an excuse to pass along your own bigotry.
- But my [insert minority group] friend doesn't mind when I call her/him a [insert ugly slur for said minority group here]!
Your friend is not all members of that group. All members of that group are not him or her. Realize that the group is far more diverse than you may think and respect that. And realize that slurs are meant to hurt and that they probably are best left out of your vocabulary.
- I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! I didn't mean it that way!
Okay, you didn't mean to. But you did, so realize that your statements were in the wrong and do what you can to fix them.
- You're too sensitive. Lighten up.
Why is this statement even used as a defense? It shifts the blame to the offended party than having the offending party admit wrong and change. Realize that the person you have offended probably has a very good reason for being so. A brief but sincere apology will do.
