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[NLB2]

My roomate and I had an AIM conversation in which he told me that racism is directed towards whites, not blacks or latinos or any minority, but instead towards whites. He then told me about how the KKK was an organization that is working to stop racism directed towards whites and that it has a bad rep because of what it did in the past, while the NAACP is an organization that supports racism and racial violence.
On top of that he's really annoying. Here's an example:
"roomate [1:25 AM]: do you realize that these are the best years of your life"
WTF? As if he knows what the best years of my life are. Not to mention I've had 18 years from which to judge when I most likely will have many, many more than 18 years from which to judge.

This wouldn't be that much of a problem if he were just my roomate, but we are in the same music studio and I play in two chamber groups with him. In other words unless one of us transfers, I will not be able to avoid him for the next four years. So how do you guys deal with people you really dislike but can't alienate?

 

[ManaByte]

So how do you guys deal with people you really dislike but can't alienate?

 

[keeblerdrow]

Always have this movie playing the the background in your room.

 

[NLB2]

God I love gaf.

 

[FightyF]

Tell him he's wrong.

 

[BobbyRobby]

My roomate and I had an AIM conversation in which he told me that racism is directed towards whites, not blacks or latinos or any minority, but instead towards whites.

Did he really say this? Because sure, there is a lot of racism directed towards Whites, but I find it hard to believe that anyone would believe that it is only directed at Whites.

He then told me about how the KKK was an organization that is working to stop racism directed towards whites and that it has a bad rep because of what it did in the past, while the NAACP is an organization that supports racism and racial violence.

While I'm sure that's one of the KKK's goals, it sure isn't the primary one, which would be seperatism. And if actually was their true intention, why not create a new organization which doesn't have a history of racial violence?

Though, I would consider the NAACP racially discriminating in the fact that it is working towards the advancement of colored people, and not other races, but they are certainly not violent.

I think you should just learn to live with the guy. He seems pretty stubborn, and ignorant, but if he's generally nice, you should be nice back to him. I found that isolating people based on their beliefs generally makes them even more stubborn. If the issue comes up again though, you should still tell him he's wrong, just don't be angry about it.

 

[JackFrost2012]

I think the more important question is, why were you talking with your roommate on AIM?

 

[karasu]

Become an intellectual bully, and break him.

 

[Deg]

My roomate and I had an AIM conversation in which he told me that racism is directed towards whites, not blacks or latinos or any minority, but instead towards whites. He then told me about how the KKK was an organization that is working to stop racism directed towards whites and that it has a bad rep because of what it did in the past, while the NAACP is an organization that supports racism and racial violence.
On top of that he's really annoying. Here's an example:
"roomate [1:25 AM]: do you realize that these are the best years of your life"
WTF? As if he knows what the best years of my life are. Not to mention I've had 18 years from which to judge when I most likely will have many, many more than 18 years from which to judge.

This wouldn't be that much of a problem if he were just my roomate, but we are in the same music studio and I play in two chamber groups with him. In other words unless one of us transfers, I will not be able to avoid him for the next four years. So how do you guys deal with people you really dislike but can't alienate?

you can report him. Universities deal with plenty of problem people.

 

[McLesterolBeast]

Report him for what?

 

[Rorschach]

Build a blackinator machine and make him live one day as a black man!

It's what Superman would do and he's a genius.

 

[BobbyRobby]

Report him for what?

For his beliefs obviously, duh.

 

[EdLuva]

Build a blackinator machine and make him live one day as a black man!

It's what Superman would do and he's a genius.

 

[MrPing1000]

lol SOUL MAN is Very, Very Good

 

[Dan]

My freshman year I had three roommates. One was crazy as hell. He carved a swastika into my bedpost. For the record, no one in our room was Jewish. He, however, was obsessed with the faith even though he was Catholic. It was like he was learning about his enemy. He spent hours and hours reading this book, How to be a Jewish Woman.

He freaked the shit out of the rest of us. He'd throw random tantrums and stuff over the smallest things. Thankfully he left the room after the first semester.

 

[MrAngryFace]

yeah if my roommate ever turned out racist id be leaving REAL fast.

 

[Manics]

My freshman year I had three roommates. One was crazy as hell. He carved a swastika into my bedpost. For the record, no one in our room was Jewish. He, however, was obsessed with the faith even though he was Catholic. It was like he was learning about his enemy. He spent hours and hours reading this book, How to be a Jewish Woman.

He freaked the shit out of the rest of us. He'd throw random tantrums and stuff over the smallest things. Thankfully he left the room after the first semester.

Where the hell did you go to school? In my university days I found that everyone I talked to was pretty much accepting and tolerant of other races. These horror stories I hear make me think I've lived a sheltered existence so far.

 

[Meier]

There's plenty of racism directed at whites but your roommate sounds like a bit of a loon.

 

[XS+]

There's plenty of racism directed at whites.

Right..

 

[Drozmight]

My neighbors in the dorms were racist as all hell. I think I heard them say every single racist term in the time I knew them. Especially about the Japanese exchange students. I asked them one time about it and they said being rascist was fun. Haha, whatever.

 

[NLB2]

Build a blackinator machine and make him live one day as a black man!

It's what Superman would do and he's a genius.

That is an excellent idea. I think it would be even better if I made everyone in the dorm black for a day, though.

 

[Ramirez]

Right..

I think I know what he means...stick a white guy in the middle of a bunch of black strangers or whatever,and sometimes you'd prolly get the same comments if it were just a bunch of rednecks with one black person or whatever.

 

[Matlock]

There's plenty of racism directed at whites but your roommate sounds like a bit of a loon.

Justification of racism! Awesome!

 

[Dilbert]

That's a tough situation.

First, definitely see if you can get a new roommate. You'll have to work the issue discreetly, but there is no reason that you should have to live in the same space with someone who makes you that uncomfortable.

Assuming you can get away from the living situation, it should be pretty straightforward to manage him in the music setting. Your conversation there should be related to your task, just as it would be in the workplace. If he starts bringing up that issue, you should say firmly (but politely): "I respect your right to have an opinion, but I don't agree with you, and discussing this subject makes me uncomfortable. Can we avoid this topic in the future?"

As disgusting as his views might be, having those beliefs isn't breaking any rules. That doesn't mean that you are obligated to listen to him or have to feel uncomfortable a result of his views, however.

Good luck...

 

[border]

Maybe I'm missing what the big deal is. As long as it's not the sort of thing that runs this guy's life and that he's constantly bringing up, I don't see how it would make living together unbearable. Plenty of people harbor rarely-vocalized but vaguely racist ideas, but it doesn't really mean that they are going to leave turds in the toilet or refuse to wash the dishes.

Most of your issues can be solved by not talking to him very frequently. I am assuming you made it through the fall semester without any problem.....so why try to dump him all of a sudden?

 

[Dilbert]

Maybe I'm missing what the big deal is. As long as it's not the sort of thing that runs this guy's life and that he's constantly bringing up, I don't see how it would make living together unbearable. Plenty of people harbor rarely-vocalized but vaguely racist ideas, but it doesn't really mean that they are going to leave turds in the toilet or refuse to wash the dishes.

Most of your issues can be solved by not talking to him very frequently. I am assuming you made it through the fall semester without any problem.....so why try to dump him all of a sudden?

Well, here's one consideration. Whether it makes sense or not, people often judge you by the company you keep. If this guy shaves his head and starts marching through the middle of campus with signs advocating death to non-whites, it's going to SUCK to be his roommate. Is it likely that he's going to do that? Nah. Is it likely that he might get drunk at a party and start broadcasting all kinds of crazy shit that will make its way though the college grapevine? That's a lot easier to imagine.

 

[Manics]

Well, here's one consideration. Whether it makes sense or not, people often judge you by the company you keep. If this guy shaves his head and starts marching through the middle of campus with signs advocating death to non-whites, it's going to SUCK to be his roommate. Is it likely that he's going to do that? Nah. Is it likely that he might get drunk at a party and start broadcasting all kinds of crazy shit that will make its way though the college grapevine? That's a lot easier to imagine.

Excellent points jinx. Sounds like you've had experience with this stuff.

 

[border]

I don't think people really consider an assigned roommate to be "the company you keep" (as long as you don't hang out together at all). But then again, I wasn't really aware that college had a "grapevine" to speak of. I gave up on that kind of shit after high school...

 

[NLB2]

Thanks for your help, jinx. I don't think getting a new roomate can be done discreetly, but the tips for keeping discussion on the right track will hopefully be helpful.

 

[miyuru]

Are you black?

 

[NLB2]

Are you black?

No, I'm white. If I were black, then I would definitely request a new roomate.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I had a racist roommate in military school. His name was Morris, from Rocky Mount, NC.

Rough start, but we ended up being really good friends in the end.

This thread reminded me of that.

 

[LakeEarth]

I think I know what he means...stick a white guy in the middle of a bunch of black strangers or whatever,and sometimes you'd prolly get the same comments if it were just a bunch of rednecks with one black person or whatever.

:lol this post reminded me of that Dave Chapelle's "Real World" sketch where the apartment was all black guys and one white guy....

 

[DarienA]

lol SOUL MAN is Very, Very Good

I thought Soul Man was good to... til I realized it was just another TOOL for the White Man! Yeah STEAL OUR SCHOLARSHIPS... It's ok because you're a funny white guy....

Rae Dawn Chong? Fuck it you can keep her.