“I’m not racist, some of my best friends are black!” “I’m not a misogynist, I have a mother, wife, and daughters!” Your proximity to a certain group of people does not justify your bigotry. It doesn’t give you a pass to say whatever discriminatory comments come to mind. This defense, often used by people who have been called out for speaking or acting in some racist way, is a fallacy. Instead of attempting to respond with logic, they counter by tokenizing their real—or perceived—relationships with folks from the very group they are being accused of attacking. More often than not, using this defense shuts down conversation. Nobody believes you. Nobody wants to hear it. The more you say it, the more you are viewed as insensitive, racist, prejudice, etc. If you are called out for making an insensitive comment, it’s better to face your prejudice head on, approach the situation as an opportunity to learn and grow, and not hide behind your _____ friends. There is always room to grow. There is no room for racism, discrimination, and prejudice.
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