In a negative enviornment...

[UnitynLove]

My brother it seems is turning out to be a racist. He is filled with anger and rage and I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what to do, he belives that the only good race is my race and the others are not. I tried to speak to him about this, that we are all God's children but he doesn't listen. I'm not sure what to do, should I keep trying to talk to him or just stay away from him because I definatly don't want to be just like him!! Please help.

 

[whitestar]

Is he is a Christian? If so I could give you some bible passages to use. ALL of us are made in the image of God...its not one race over another...this is how wars get started....did something happen to cause him to feel this way?


God bless

 

[Onlythingavailable]

Racism is often a learned or adopted behaviour. Does he hang out with other racists, or does someone in your family have racist opinions? Racism in itself is a weird thing. I mean, why would you hate someone just because they have a different skin color? I suppose it is some sort of projection, someone or something to blame for everything that is bad, or maybe it's the cliché, fear of what is different. Racist propaganda is usually filled with lies and deception, half-truths and manipulated statistics. Ask him why he really feels the way he does, question the basis for his racism, and remember to rely on God's guidance.

Pray to God for a softening of his heart, and never fail to point out the flaws in his "world view". There's simply too much going on to get hung up on skin color or languages spoken!

 

[inHisgripkim]

My brother it seems is turning out to be a racist. He is filled with anger and rage and I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what to do, he belives that the only good race is my race and the others are not. I tried to speak to him about this, that we are all God's children but he doesn't listen. I'm not sure what to do, should I keep trying to talk to him or just stay away from him because I definatly don't want to be just like him!! Please help.

Could be he has been victimized by someone of a different race. I don't know how old he is, but if he is younger than you, he is more than likely subject to the peer pressure we find prevalent amon teens. He may be hanging around some incredibly angry individuals that are influencing him. I can't offer any suggestions because I don't know the situation and the age of your brother.

What you can do is set boundaries if you find his racist comments disturbing. If it were my brother. I'd be honest with him about how I feel. Anyone who puts down another for whatever the reason has got to be an awfully insecure and weak person. You can ask him, "are you that insecure, that you have to build yourself up by putting down other people of a different ethnic origin?"

I would tell him that I would pray that he develop integrity, depth, and wisdom.

lol kim

 

[UnitynLove]

He has experienced racism from other races in his life. He's never really had friend from another race so I think he's basing his assumptions on his experience. He's 24 btw, and I he used to be a christian. I've tried talking to him, but he just got more and more hostile. I just said, lets agree to disagree. I don't know, I feeling like I really don' t want to be around him because he has negativity around him and I don't want that for my life at all. It sucks too because I never thought this would happen in my family no one is a racist in my family.

 

[Onlythingavailable]

Maybe point out to him that judging entire races on the actions of a few makes him no different from the racists he has encountered. One would think he certainly wouldn't want to be like those who have wronged him.

 

[artjack]

more than likely he will be the one hurt in the end and he does not need that in his life, ask him where it lead any racists in history, what it ment for the world and how they ended up, its never a pritty picture, god needs us to love, teaching him about the subject in reality though it may be difficult because of his rebelion is nessary id say or else he will learn the hard way which is unnessary & unwise.

 

[Donnywazoo]

If his racism is a response to one or more things, then knowing what those are and him changing the way he chooses to view those things will make a difference. In reality, it is my view that you can encourage such reflection and choices, but in the end, it is that individual who will make the choice. You can encourage good choices by good modelling as much as you can by conversation about it. Positive experiences with a person of another race may also assist.

 

[Mskedi]

Do you know where this is coming from? Is he getting this from who he hangs out with, for example? How old is he? Is he paranoid schizophrenic? What reasons does he give to believe what he does?

The answers to this questions will help dictate what should be done in response to his racism.

 

[LoG]

I've tried talking to him, but he just got more and more hostile. I just said, lets agree to disagree. I don't know, I feeling like I really don' t want to be around him because he has negativity around him and I don't want that for my life at all. It sucks too because I never thought this would happen in my family no one is a racist in my family.

I have a brother who a few years ago was a very heavy drinker. I tried talking to him about it every chance I had. He, like your brother, became increasingly hostile until I started to realize that through his pride, I was adding to the problem rather than helping. I started to pray for him instead and leaving him in God's hands.

It took a few years but he eventually stopped the drinking. God was showing me that there is a time and place for giving advice to those who aren't asking for it. I cannot be an effective witness to those I've antagonized with unsolicited "words of wisdom".

Btw, my brother was "softened up" by God through some bad experiences that came as a direct result of his drinking. It took a lot of biting my tongue to not say "I told you so", but by doing so the time came when he was able to come and ask for help to overcome his problem.

My 2 cents.

 

[myquestions]

maybe you can ask him to really look into why he feels this way. and tell him that there are individuals within each race and everyone has their good qualities.

 

[KGirl]

I'd have to say definitely don't bring it up too much. If you do bring it up, maybe try to say something to help him feel calm, like "I'm just trying to have a nice/ calm discussion with you. I'm trying to see where you come from, and share my views as well." or maybe "Please don't think I'm trying to treat you badly, I respect you." You get the idea.. Basically if he's hostile he won't want to listen as well.
Or say something to let him know you care about what he says, like "I'm sorry you had bad experiences with certain people. I've had some too" or something. And it might be good to give examples of bad white people. Wouldn't be too hard. Hitler for example..

 

[UnitynLove]

How do I treat him when I am around him because I don't want to be influenced by his negativity. I don't want to hang out with him because he might start to rub off on me, like what should I say to him because he seems dead set on his beliefs. Or should I just worry about pleasing the lord and doing his will. I just need to know what to do when I am around him do I say hi, and go on or do I have a conversation with him, I don't want to cause strife. Help,

 

[silentpoet]

Do your best to stay positive when around him. Yes you will be brought down some, but I think we are supposed to go into situations that do that to us. We bring the light into the dark, but because there is alot of dark the light might seem dimmer. Don't let that worry you. Just keep on bringing the light. And when you must, leave. Don't dwell in the situations that bring you down. Be active against negativity. But also keep in mind we are supposed to live at peace as much as we can with others. It may also be that you will need to remove yourself from him in order to build up reserves of positivity and learn coping/influencing strategies.

 

[mom_one]

My brother it seems is turning out to be a racist. He is filled with anger and rage and I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what to do, he belives that the only good race is my race and the others are not. I tried to speak to him about this, that we are all God's children but he doesn't listen. I'm not sure what to do, should I keep trying to talk to him or just stay away from him because I definatly don't want to be just like him!! Please help.

I would pray for him without ceasing. spend less time with him, being around him too much can bring you down. I will pray for both of you God bless

 

[If Not For Grace]

My Dad is also a racist. He was raised to be. Some people do this to "fit in" with a group. To feel some kind of connection or bond with others they have not had previously.

Redd Foxx used to say if there were blue people on earth somebody would hate them and he is right.

Even Jesus said the "poor" will always be with you.

The more my dad hated the more I cam to love so I guess as Paul says we can count it all joy.

Your brother's faults are not your problem, all you can do is say "Let's talk about something else" Do not argue with those on a level beneath you, it will only drag you down. I do not mean he is unworthy, but he is not spiritually mature yet. I just say something facetious when it gets really bad, like "oh yes how silly of me, I forgot the blue people are responsible for every problem, natural disaster, and sickness, my bad" and go on.

This is a fault just like any other, it is just based in ignorance and per Ron White "you can't fix stupid", but pray...cause God can. 12 steppers say--let go and let God. me too.