Racist 'Banter'

[hampshireman]

I heard today some racist 'banter'. (not directed at me)

I was appalled ; and looked at the guy that made the comment. He indicated that it was just 'banter'

Am not sure what to do about this.

How do i address this? Or do I just ignore it? Not sure I should ; but need some direction

[scoobydo79]

How about asking the person it was directed at how they feel first?

[hampshireman]

How about asking the person it was directed at how they feel first?

I dont think the person heard

[fishtank]

How about asking the person it was directed at how they feel first?

Racist comments should offend everyone who hears them....except other racists obviously.
Everyone should be able to go to work without having to listen to racially offensive language.
Not being the target of racism doesn't mean you have to put up with it or should stay silent about it.
The best way to address it is head on,speak to the person who made the comment,let them know exactly how you feel and let them know if there is a repeat performance you will take it further.
There is no such thing as racist "banter".

[hampshireman]

How about asking the person it was directed at how they feel first?

Racist comments should offend everyone who hears them....except other racists obviously.
Everyone should be able to go to work without having to listen to racially offensive language.
Not being the target of racism doesn't mean you have to put up with it or should stay silent about it.
The best way to address it is head on,speak to the person who made the comment,let them know exactly how you feel and let them know if there is a repeat performance you will take it further.
There is no such thing as racist "banter".

Agree and will do. Needed time to reflect and to see if poeple concur with my thought

[Bag of d2d]

I witnessed racist 'banter' recently. I felt shocked and uncomfortable but the recipient just laughed and genuinely seemed to enjoy the comment. Totally threw me.

[taurus88]

In this instance, I would approach the target of the banter in private, make them aware of what was said, and ask them what action they feel is appropriate going forward. Although, I think if I was to report everybody who was racist, homophobic, sexist or whatever at my work, I'd be reporting half the staff. Personally I think it comes down to your personality as to how you approach this. If somebody makes me uncomfortable with their views on life, ideally I would approach them and tell them so, thus giving them an opportunity to rectify their behaviour. I'm not somebody who feels that making a racist comment makes you a racist as such (I'm not saying that there isn't a link between the two, but ultimately, your vocabulary within your mind generally consists of words that are both inoffensive and offensive, and if at times these offensive words enter your mind they can also, on occasion, exit it - sometimes inadvertently). Hence persistent racist, homophobic, sexist or otherwise offensive behaviour is not something that I would tolerate. A racist comment made towards somebody without intent, and without causing harm, while highly offensive to others, may constitute a behaviour that can be rectified. Some people genuinely do not understand that they are being racist, and while it is easy to blame them, it is just as often a question of how they were raised than anything else. Not that the ignorance of previous generations excuses them, but many of us carry the prejudices of our parents with us, without ever realising.

[arnold cheshire]

if it wasnt said by a footballer nothing will be done about it

[demon]

if its just bannter then just leave it or are you saying this person is a racist theres a diffrence

[fishtank]

if its just bannter then just leave it or are you saying this person is a racist theres a diffrence

Give me an example of "racist banter".

[hampshireman]

if its just bannter then just leave it or are you saying this person is a racist theres a diffrence

I put banter in quotes for a reason. Not saying the guy is a racist as such. The question is about how to address it.

But I would beg the question as to why anyone would make the comment i heard

[demon]

well tell us what was said then

[hampshireman]

well tell us what was said then

What purpose would that serve? Judgement on the level of racist banter?

[krussel]

Anything racist should be left well away from the work place.

[fng]

How about asking the person it was directed at how they feel first?

Racist comments should offend everyone who hears them....except other racists obviously.
Everyone should be able to go to work without having to listen to racially offensive language.
Not being the target of racism doesn't mean you have to put up with it or should stay silent about it.
The best way to address it is head on,speak to the person who made the comment,let them know exactly how you feel and let them know if there is a repeat performance you will take it further.
There is no such thing as racist "banter".