Every heard "its only racism if you're white"?
I'm not playing a victim. I'm often accused as being a racist, because I'm a conservative. It probably has something to do with the fact that I go to college, and its a tech school. The long standing stereotype of conservatives being racist.
What do I tell them?
I'm sorry you feel that way, that just isn't true. I implore you to think with reason.
I just read this post. Sorry, but thats bullshit. If you're OFTEN accused of being racist, it's not just because you're conservative. Seeing as you bring up the 'only racism if you're white' remark, it tells me the following:
1) You don't have a good understanding of tact when it comes to race relations.
2) It wouldn't surprise me if you don't have a lot of black friends/associates.
3) You're young (we already know that).
Now, I'm not saying you're racist because I don't think you are, at least from reading your comments here. What I do believe is like many others, you don't know that what you say can be construed as having racist undertones. Let me give you an example:
A co-worker of mine who I don't believe is racist brought up 'kinky hair' when talking about black people. Now, being married to a black woman for the last 7 years, my ears are a little more sensitive to certain key words and phrases than someone who isn't around black people that much. I consider them said in ignorance and yet nevertheless, somewhat disrespectful. But living in Spokane, WA which is overwhelmingly white, it's not surprising that people aren't aware of how such terms can be taken as offensive.
Having a daughter who is half black, half white, it concerns me that people such as yourself don't understand how their verbiage can be taken as offensive. That just because blacks don't have to worry about hoses and dogs on their asses that the country has overcome its racist past of injustice and two class system. As often as you like to mention that a black person was accepted into a University or received a job because of their color of their skin, it's much more common for them to be turned down from a position due to their skin color.
My advice to you is to educate yourself. Study up on the history of minorities in this country because if you do, you will realize that while this country has made great strides, there is still much left to be done.