I fail to see how befriending your racist neighbors does anything at all. You said yourself, you're not from any of the marginalized groups they hate. You just...have a racist friend now. And if you have a racist friend...

https://youtu.be/gqH_0LPVoho?si=7ApInnX6AC7YFyCg

[–] Quexotic@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Maybe if I asked you a question, you might understand my point better.

If I choose anger, outrage, fury... If I alienate my neighbor, my literal neighbor, what does that achieve me? What do I get?

If I proved to them that I am everything that they have been told to hate about liberals instead of talking to them about what we both believe the real problem is, and having met them, talk to them, and befriended them, I see now that we both agree about at least done, what would I have achieved? Can you answer me that?

How would I have bettered myself? How would I have better than? Would the world be a better place? If you can answer me that, then I think I might understand a bit more about where you're coming from.

Edit: so I woke up, had a shower, and thought about this a little bit. I have introspection and reflection on what I'm thinking and what I am doing. If I find flaws that only means that I am more able to find better ways to do what I want to do. So, do you feel like everything that you think is correct? Do you look for flaws in your own thinking?

Finally, they are my neighbors in the end so there's that, but also how can I possibly speak up for those who are marginalized and who are minorities if I are not in the conversation at all? If no one is listening, doesn't matter what you're saying? If I'm not changing any minds, am I accomplishing anything or am I just in another fucking echo chamber talking to like-minded people and accomplishing nothing?

In the end, I just question what are my goals? What kind of world do I want to live in? How is what I'm doing achieving those goals?

I want peace and unity. I want kindness.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There is a difference between keeping peaceful relations with your neighbor and befriending them though. You said yourself they are not likely to change their mind. If that is true your friendship does nothing to help marginalized folks. In fact it hurts them since your friendship is a tacit endorsement of their behavior. I'm not saying yell and scream and throw stuff at them when you see them, but there is a difference between cordial neighbor and friends. If you really want unity and kindness, you can't tolerate hate.

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/toleration/

Or if you want a shorter read

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance

[–] Quexotic@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

Fair. If they were going to go and say racist shit, in any way, I'm not exactly about to let it slide. I see your point though and will keep it in mind, next time I see them.