So there is this guy at my college (UK) and he is a monarchist and definitely right wing and the topic of Daunte Wright’s Murder came up in conversation and he was excusing the cops actions, which is just disgusting. He was saying that down to nerves the cop didn’t realise it was a gun and also brought up that Daunte had a warrant on him, which I have not heard of.
So the guy is a **** and burden on society (makes racist, homophobic, transphobic jokes) and at the time I wanted to prove him wrong and educate his ass but I didn’t know how, so how can I deal with a situation like this?
Likewise when you tolerate another person’s intolerance you are showing them that their bigotry and hatred is simply a difference of opinion. This is dangerous because these are not simply differences in opinions. These beliefs reinforce systemic structures that get people killed day in and day out. By treating such opinions like just that - opinions - you are legitimizing oppressive structures. Even if your intent is to disprove these oppressive opinions through debate, the issue is that the simple act of debating is enough to bring legitimacy to a dangerous ideology. You are essentially telling minority groups that their right to exist is simply another talking point which is up for debate and questioning, while telling the bigot that their ideas are acceptable in day to day life. They absolutely shouldn’t be.