"Blackface" Discussion

[2 man midfield]

Intent is not above all the most important thing. If it was then the expression “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” would not exist and would not be so true.

Regardless of what your intentions are, you can’t tell someone that they have no right to be upset about something because you didn’t mean to offend them. If something bothers a person then they are within their rights to be offended about it, not just get on with life and accept it. If we all just “got on with life and accepted things” then the world would still be stuck the way it was in the 50s, but hey, you stand your ground mate. You stand strong.

I think part of the controversy comes from the fact there seems to be a disconnect between the offender, and the person taking offence. Both of these sentences are correct:

1. You don't get to decide whether something you did/said was or wasn't hurtful to that person.
2. Just because of the way they interpreted it, doesn't mean they then get to decide you meant it.

Both sides of the argument are technically correct, and so you get people sticking to their guns when challenged. So due to that stalemate, you basically end up having to ask yourself if it's worth standing up for your right to offend somebody on a topic as serious as race. Because unlike the usual laws of offence taking, (sticks and stones, just ignore it etc) they don't really apply here. A racist act has a pretty serious affect on the person on the receiving end, unlike seeing someone swear, or accidentally watching the X-Factor. You can tune out of those a lot better than seeing someone mocking your race, which even if the intent is good, can still be felt negatively. So you have to ask yourself about your audience, and whether or not you choose to offend them. Whether or not it's worth making them feel bad for the sake of your right to offend. Sometimes, the answer might be yes, and it's right to stick to your guns. Where race is concerned? It's never really ok.

At a private party, where there's context, there might well be some black friends of yours who find it just as hilarious as you. But elsewhere? As soon as you wear blackface outside those parameters, be it on public transport, or if you post it on social media you're entering a public domain, and the chances of bumping into someone who will find it offensive increases by basically 100%. There's no one black person speaking for the entire black race, just as your mate Tony who said it was fine doesn't. Everyone will take it differently, and with that in mind you should be careful about who you choose to present it to.

 

[2 man midfield]

If it's muslims in an Islamic country making those jokes then it's the same issue, if it's Tommy Robinson or Bernard Manning then it's clearly not. Christianity, and in particular catholicism have held sway over Europe for 2 millennia and in that time carried out witch trials, inquisitions and the persecution of other religions, denunciation of science and deliberately peddled misinformation and lies on homosexuality, womens rights, birth control, abortion, AIDs and countless other things whilst maintaining a stoic silence over the litany of child abuse that has been documented within their cloisters. Surely those of us who have grown up within this Christian sociiety should be allowed to have a pop at the things we see as being wrong within it?

Yeah, don't think I'm sticking up for the poor little Catholic Church, here. Poke fun all you want, I'm really only pointing out a double standard. Certain things receive immunity from fun poking, including certain religions. It's just always been a little bizarre to me that the feelings of a person who takes their Catholic faith seriously, are considered less important than those of other religions. Maybe because they're less likely to send you death threats, I have no idea.

Let me just clarify that in my post where I called Catholic jokes understandable, that I didn't mean Catholics shouldn't be offended. However, in most of the worlds history Catholism has been the persecutor, not the persecuted, they're not a marginalized minority. I'm not saying, oh well, it's fine to bash 'em then, but it's the way the world works. Roman Catholocism is religion's white man, at least, in the western world.

What irks me about religion in general and why I can't help but have a little bit of schadenfreude is that in most religions the prominent people literally stand on a pedestal in a church and tell you how to live your live and what values you should strive to have. For people like that to get caugh with their pants down, well, it's understandable people make jokes.

PS: The fact that some very prominent Christian politicians in the Netherlands just signed the Nashville Statement condemning homosexuality isn't exactly scoring them any points in my book either.

I agree with you, I'm an atheist and I don't really get the idea that all religions are sacred and should be exempt from any sort of ridicule. Historically, Christianity has done things that make your stomach turn. I'm not defending any religion really, just making an observation.

 

[RedTiger]

So why is applying facepaint to accurately portray a character so bad

Black Kings from east of Bethlehem?...na.

 

[fishfingers15]

Where I'm from, people sometimes paint their face either black or blue to imitate Lord Krishna, a God from Hindu mythology. It's not done everyday but often little children are painted. Its been done traditionally as well. If villain were to suggest that it's racism by Indians and they should learn history, I think indians would ask villain to learn Indian history. Not sure who would be correct

 

[Adisa]

So many people giving the same excuse Suarez gave and they don't even know it.

 

[oates]

If you are offending someone you don't get the choice to say that you are not. I see the issue as one of development really, while the US and UK maybe as peoples have a lot to feel guilt over perhaps we do understand the issue or accept there is one there, anyone who doesn't is merely choosing not to but we have to accept that for some countries peoples and their cultures it will take a bit longer, they may be behind our special curve for whatever reason, merely later in developing and we need to bring these people with us not continually bash them over the head with the same message that hasn't worked so far.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

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Blimey.

 

[fergieisold]

If you are offending someone you don't get the choice to say that you are not. I see the issue as one of development really, while the US and UK maybe as peoples have a lot to feel guilt over perhaps we do understand the issue or accept there is one there, anyone who doesn't is merely choosing not to but we have to accept that for some countries peoples and their cultures it will take a bit longer, they may be behind our special curve for whatever reason, merely later in developing and we need to bring these people with us not continually bash them over the head with the same message that hasn't worked so far.

 

[oates]

I don't give a monkeys what that popinjay thinks, offence exists, a person can genuinely be offensive and as human beings we are responsible for the things we say and do that cause harm.

And for somebody who has been the beneficiary of the efforts and lives of what a lot of good people have had to give and lose going before him who have defended their right to exist while being offended against he should shut his fat mouth. Hate crimes against gays only became offences within the British Justice System because they offended not just gays but good people and personally I believe someone who sticks a YouTube vid up as an answer or argument on CE needs to think on about developing their debating abilities.

Have a nice day.

 

[fergieisold]

I don't give a monkeys what that popinjay thinks, offence exists, a person can genuinely be offensive and as human beings we are responsible for the things we say and do that cause harm.

And for somebody who has been the beneficiary of the efforts and lives of what a lot of good people have had to give and lose going before him who have defended their right to exist while being offended against he should shut his fat mouth. Hate crimes against gays only became offences within the British Justice System because they offended not just gays but good people and personally I believe someone who sticks a YouTube vid up as an answer or argument on CE needs to think on about developing their debating abilities.

Have a nice day.

How dare you call him fat!! Don't you think he'd be offended by that?

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

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Blimey.

This kind of stuff really bakes my noodle.

It’s weird how the internet almost forces the whole world to normalise their attitude and behaviour, regardless of context.

The world has obviously never lived through a time like this.

The Roman Empire had no idea about Japan. Two ridiculously historicly significant global dynasties existed in parallel.

That doesn’t get to happen anymore.

Because the word ‘Blackface’ exists, Spain has to bury tradition based on how white people feel about it in different countries.

I believe that once you get to a point that people are being hurt by an action, that action needs to stop. However, I don’t think that extends to people beyond local borders, far less international ones.

There are layers and layers of context when anyone tries to discuss painting their face. We should all apply a little critical thought to the source location though. Offence isn’t an absolute.

It’s a really cool topic to shine some light on how technology is forcing change upon society at a rate that it’s not really equipped to deal with.

 

[oates]

How dare you call him fat!! Don't you think he'd be offended by that?

No, sorry, stop. You had your chance, you went with a YouTube vid. I'm afraid that's it for you. For you the war is over.

 

[Cassidy]

This kind of stuff really bakes my noodle.

It’s weird how the internet almost forces the whole world to normalise their attitude and behaviour, regardless of context.

The world has obviously never lived through a time like this.

The Roman Empire had no idea about Japan. Two ridiculously historicly significant global dynasties existed in parallel.

That doesn’t get to happen anymore.

Because the word ‘Blackface’ exists, Spain has to bury tradition based on how white people feel about it in different countries.

I believe that once you get to a point that people are being hurt by an action, that action needs to stop. However, I don’t think that extends to people beyond local borders, far less international ones.

There are layers and layers of context when anyone tries to discuss painting their face. We should all apply a little critical thought to the source location though. Offence isn’t an absolute.

It’s a really cool topic to shine some light on how technology is forcing change upon society at a rate that it’s not really equipped to deal with.

Or many black people in Spain and all over the world....
Just because something is a tradition doesn't mean it shouldn't stop, there are a long list of traditions that have had to and rightly so

 

[fergieisold]

This kind of stuff really bakes my noodle.

It’s weird how the internet almost forces the whole world to normalise their attitude and behaviour, regardless of context.

The world has obviously never lived through a time like this.

The Roman Empire had no idea about Japan. Two ridiculously historicly significant global dynasties existed in parallel.

That doesn’t get to happen anymore.

Because the word ‘Blackface’ exists, Spain has to bury tradition based on how white people feel about it in different countries.

I believe that once you get to a point that people are being hurt by an action, that action needs to stop. However, I don’t think that extends to people beyond local borders, far less international ones.

There are layers and layers of context when anyone tries to discuss painting their face. We should all apply a little critical thought to the source location though. Offence isn’t an absolute.

It’s a really cool topic to shine some light on how technology is forcing change upon society at a rate that it’s not really equipped to deal with.

Good insight this, I try to remember the internet isn't real life. The difference between opinion on the internet and just speaking to people always surprises me. You can get sucked into believing something is a problem when in reality people aren't really that bothered. I'm pretty sure blacking up is one of those...It wasn't so long ago I was in uni going to parties and people were doing this quite widely. There were people from all sorts of backgrounds and I never heard anyone say anything about it. But now it is suddenly 'a thing'...which in my opinion has only served to heighten racial tension and reinforce racial differences.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Or many black people in Spain and all over the world....
Just because something is a tradition doesn't mean it shouldn't stop, there are a long list of traditions that have had to and rightly so

100%

Be cool if Spanish people stopped flinging live goats out of the top of towers too.

Unless that’s something else white people can’t criticise, because tradition...

 

[Tarrou]

This kind of stuff really bakes my noodle.

It’s weird how the internet almost forces the whole world to normalise their attitude and behaviour, regardless of context.

The world has obviously never lived through a time like this.

The Roman Empire had no idea about Japan. Two ridiculously historicly significant global dynasties existed in parallel.

That doesn’t get to happen anymore.

Because the word ‘Blackface’ exists, Spain has to bury tradition based on how white people feel about it in different countries.

I believe that once you get to a point that people are being hurt by an action, that action needs to stop. However, I don’t think that extends to people beyond local borders, far less international ones.

There are layers and layers of context when anyone tries to discuss painting their face. We should all apply a little critical thought to the source location though. Offence isn’t an absolute.

It’s a really cool topic to shine some light on how technology is forcing change upon society at a rate that it’s not really equipped to deal with.

Lots of traditions are hurtful and need to stop and I don't see how anyone can make a case for Blackface not being one of them. Could you even? Anything that happens in Spain gets broadcast all over the world.

 

[carvajal]

100%

Be cool if Spanish people stopped flinging live goats out of the top of towers too.

Unless that’s something else white people can’t criticise, because tradition...

We don't throw goats anymore, now I think they use an stuffed animal

 

[Synco]

Good insight this, I try to remember the internet isn't real life. The difference between opinion on the internet and just speaking to people always surprises me. You can get sucked into believing something is a problem when in reality people aren't really that bothered. I'm pretty sure blacking up is one of those...It wasn't so long ago I was in uni going to parties and people were doing this quite widely. There were people from all sorts of backgrounds and I never heard anyone say anything about it. But now it is suddenly 'a thing'...which in my opinion has only served to heighten racial tension and reinforce racial differences.

These tensions were part of these cultural stereotypes all the time, they just weren't visible (to those who could be oblivious to them). But this apparent lack of conflict was just a matter of unchallenged hegemony, not actual peace. Opposition to these casual stereotypes doesn't cause division out of nowhere, it merely brings to the surface a divisiveness that was already inside of them.

This pattern generally repeats for all of these inequality issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, you name it. (Although I'm naturally not a fan of everything that's said and done in that regard).

 

[Vato]

We don't throw goats anymore, now I think they use an stuffed animal

Ah good thing we've evolved. Can't be throwing a goat from a cliff once a year in a world where people cook lobsters alive just so they taste better.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Ah good thing we've evolved. Can't be throwing a goat from a cliff once a year in a world where people cook lobsters alive just so they taste better.

So you think swatting a fly would be morally equivalent to strangling a puppy? Because that’s the point you seem to be making here.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We don't throw goats anymore, now I think they use an stuffed animal

Glad to hear it.

 

[carvajal]

Ah good thing we've evolved. Can't be throwing a goat from a cliff once a year in a world where people cook lobsters alive just so they taste better.

I think I read its has been forbidden in a country

 

[Tarrou]

So you think swatting a fly would be morally equivalent to strangling a puppy? Because that’s the point you seem to be making here.

Lobsters are pretty smart, aren't they?

I'd back one in a battle of wits with a goat, anyway. Although not sure how we'd test that!

 

[Vato]

So you think swatting a fly would be morally equivalent to strangling a puppy? Because that’s the point you seem to be making here.

Lobsters are people too you know?

 

[villain]

Where I'm from, people sometimes paint their face either black or blue to imitate Lord Krishna, a God from Hindu mythology. It's not done everyday but often little children are painted. Its been done traditionally as well. If villain were to suggest that it's racism by Indians and they should learn history, I think indians would ask villain to learn Indian history. Not sure who would be correct

Maybe you should @ villain next time, so villain can at least see that you are referring to her.

On to your point, Krishna as an adjective is derivative of black/dark, so by definition Krishna literally refers to being black or dark.
Also, all depictions I've seen of Krishna are that of having blue/black glittery/shiny/cosmic-like skin, which is not attempting to be a black person or stereotyping, mocking or exaggerating facial features of black people in the same way that blackface does.

 

[hobbers]

I don't give a monkeys what that popinjay thinks, offence exists, a person can genuinely be offensive and as human beings we are responsible for the things we say and do that cause harm.

Being offended is almost always not synonymous with being harmed.

I would only ever see myself as culpable for offending someone if I felt that were I standing in their shoes I would have reacted the same way. And never if I were simply voicing my own opinion.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Lobsters are pretty smart, aren't they?

I'd back one in a battle of wits with a goat, anyway. Although not sure how we'd test that!

Sudoku contest?

 

[oates]

Being offended is almost always not synonymous with being harmed.

I would only ever see myself as culpable for offending someone if I felt that were I standing in their shoes I would have reacted the same way. And never if I were simply voicing my own opinion.

Is this a case of about how you would feel?

 

[4bars]

Give me strength.

Blackface is racist - there's just no discussion to be had about the topic.

If you do something racist, but your intent was pure - guess what? It's still racist. Learn from it and don't do it again, it's not hard.

Being black isn't a costume - so if you want to 'dress up' as a character who happens to be black, you don't need to paint your skin.
If your costume is that sh*t that you need to black up in order for people to know who you are, then that says more about your crappy costume, and your lack of imagination on top of your lack of judgement in choosing to black up in the first place.

Tradition/culture isn't a reason to still practice blackface to this day, neither is religion - given that there are dozens of other countries who practice the same holidays without blackface.
By relying on tradition/culture as your defence all you're saying is that, that particular tradition/culture didn't consider the degradation of black people in the past as an important topic to address (fine, most cultures in the past didn't) however, in 2019 there's no reason to continue to paint your face in order to uphold old racist cultures/traditions & if it's that important that the character is black, then maybe get actual black people to do it.

If after all that you still decide that blacking up is fine and you don't see anything wrong with it, then don't get mad when you get called out as a racist.

Once again - blackface is racist, that's it. That's all there ever is, that's all there ever will be.

Thank you to @Cloud7 & @HarlanEiffler for having more patience than I could.

I understand tradition is not an excuse to continue with it. Blackfacing, even if I never perceived it as racist, I discovered through this thread why is racist for people of the anglosphere, and I understand the reasons why is considered racist in Spain. And I support that it should end, but just because it has racist connotations as well in my country

But all the traditions should be banned because is perceived racist (or any other kind of wrong) in another place?

Lets take for example this

Spain

USA

In Spain had been hundreds of years. Nothing to do with race. Not portraying people that attacked blacks in Spain. Ku Klux Klan took that imagery and used it for themselves and is, of course, racist to dress like that in US, but definitely is not and will never be racist in Spain, even if black people perceived it as racist, I don't think they should stop doing it because is under the influence of the US history globalization.

As I had been saying, context matters and blackfacing in Spain has completely different origins and is perceived racist for different motives than in US, way more mildly motives than in US

Don't you think, @villain , that spanish people should be given time to find out the motive, understand their black people fellows demands and act accordingly and cut some slack to people that they are just discovering, get used to it and feeling positive with the demanded changes?


I think that instead of insulting them, accuse them of racist for a very new phenomena in their society that had being doing blackfacing for centuries, should be approach with understanding (understanding because the reasons are way milder. Racism should not meet with understanding at all), as if not, you would antagonize people with a an attitude from "outside" , demanding to understand your point, completely valid, but without understanding their point and situation. Racism it had been huge in US and civil rights came in a costly way and still have a lot to do, and I understand the anger to suffer this process. But in Spain, as we never experienced immigration till not that long ago, has a process on its own with its own context and a society only goes as fast as the slowest one.

 

[fishfingers15]

Maybe you should @ villain next time, so villain can at least see that you are referring to her.

On to your point, Krishna as an adjective is derivative of black/dark, so by definition Krishna literally refers to being black or dark.
Also, all depictions I've seen of Krishna are that of having blue/black glittery/shiny/cosmic-like skin, which is not attempting to be a black person or stereotyping, mocking or exaggerating facial features of black people in the same way that blackface does.

Sorry, I was using my phone when I made that post.

I'm not that well versed on Hindu mythology, and I'm unsure if he has any other avatars but Lord Krishna is exceedingly dark, so often he is represented in black or blue. Picture/graphic depictions does have glittery or shiny cosmetics but real life worship (or cosplay) is always normal blue and sometimes black. I have not seen American Indians do this but I've seen people in my native town do this. There is no stereotyping or mocking, it's almost always diety worship. I don't think any Indian who is doing this today thinks about mocking/stereotyping black people, but only tries to imitate Lord Krishna.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Also, all depictions I've seen of Krishna are that of having blue/black glittery/shiny/cosmic-like skin.

Well that’s just not even close to being true.

100% with you on the fact blackening your face to look like Krishna being worlds apart from the Minstrel-like efforts though.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Lots of traditions are hurtful and need to stop and I don't see how anyone can make a case for Blackface not being one of them. Could you even? Anything that happens in Spain gets broadcast all over the world.

Spanish people don’t choose to have their culture broadcast globally is pretty much my point.

I’m not really offering any defence or condemnation of the people in the video that’s posted.

More drawing attention to the fact that human built culture and society is ill equipped to evolve at the pace that the internet forces upon it.

 

[4bars]

Lobsters are pretty smart, aren't they?

I'd back one in a battle of wits with a goat, anyway. Although not sure how we'd test that!

I think you should give time to adjust from a tradition of hundreds of years that had no racist connotations for the practically non existent black population. Not because you come with your culture from outside saying is bad. We are learning and acting accordingly with the perception of the black people of our country, not yours. so please chill

 

[Tarrou]

Spanish people don’t choose to have their culture broadcast globally is pretty much my point.

I’m not really offering any defence or condemnation of the people in the video that’s posted.

More drawing attention to the fact that human built culture and society is ill equipped to evolve at the pace that the internet forces upon it.

They don't but it does anyway and as you alluded to earlier that is the world we live in now

As for your last sentence, good point and I completely agree. We're going through what you could call cultural growing pains I guess. An example being the outrage culture we see in universities as a sort of knock-on effect of kids growing up with social media.

 

[Tarrou]

I think you should give time to adjust from a tradition of hundreds of years that had no racist connotations for the practically non existent black population. Not because you come with your culture from outside saying is bad. We are learning and acting accordingly with the perception of the black people of our country, not yours. so please chill

I guess this reply was meant for my other comment? Did not mean to have a particular dig at Spain here - my point was more in relation to Blackface in general. And yeah, you make a good point about time to adapt, and that is what we're going through now I guess.

 

[4bars]

I guess this reply was meant for my other comment? Did not mean to have a particular dig at Spain here - my point was more in relation to Blackface in general. And yeah, you make a good point about time to adapt, and that is what we're going through now I guess.

yes it was nothing against lobsters in spain

 

[roseguy64]

Well that’s just not even close to being true.

100% with you on the fact blackening your face to look like Krishna being worlds apart from the Minstrel-like efforts though.

How can you tell her she's wrong when you have no clue what she's seen? It's not a statement saying the only depictions available are the ones she's seen.

 

[fishfingers15]

How can you tell her she's wrong when you have no clue what she's seen? It's not a statement saying the only depictions available are the ones she's seen.

Well yeah

Even otherwise, I'm Indian and I see often times Krishna portrayed with shiny skin in pictures/comics etc. I'm not sure about his complaints

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

How can you tell her she's wrong when you have no clue what she's seen? It's not a statement saying the only depictions available are the ones she's seen.

Someone that knows that Krishna means black, or dark. Yet has never seen a depiction of Krishna that’s black.

Seems sensible.

https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=krishna+meaning&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-nz&client=safari

 

[villain]

Well that’s just not even close to being true.

100% with you on the fact blackening your face to look like Krishna being worlds apart from the Minstrel-like efforts though.

Thats why I said all depictions i've seen are in that way, I wasn't saying those were the only depictions.

Sorry, I was using my phone when I made that post.

I'm not that well versed on Hindu mythology, and I'm unsure if he has any other avatars but Lord Krishna is exceedingly dark, so often he is represented in black or blue. Picture/graphic depictions does have glittery or shiny cosmetics but real life worship (or cosplay) is always normal blue and sometimes black. I have not seen American Indians do this but I've seen people in my native town do this. There is no stereotyping or mocking, it's almost always diety worship. I don't think any Indian who is doing this today thinks about mocking/stereotyping black people, but only tries to imitate Lord Krishna.

Diety worship is different to blackfacing - the offence that comes with blackface isn't that you are covering yourself in black paint - it's that, that black paint is meant to represent how a black person looks which is where the mocking, exaggeration and stereotyping comes into it.
So what you're referring to wouldn't be regarded as blackface.

I understand tradition is not an excuse to continue with it. Blackfacing, even if I never perceived it as racist, I discovered through this thread why is racist for people of the anglosphere, and I understand the reasons why is considered racist in Spain. And I support that it should end, but just because it has racist connotations as well in my country

But all the traditions should be banned because is perceived racist (or any other kind of wrong) in another place?

Lets take for example this

Spain

USA

In Spain had been hundreds of years. Nothing to do with race. Not portraying people that attacked blacks in Spain. Ku Klux Klan took that imagery and used it for themselves and is, of course, racist to dress like that in US, but definitely is not and will never be racist in Spain, even if black people perceived it as racist, I don't think they should stop doing it because is under the influence of the US history globalization.

As I had been saying, context matters and blackfacing in Spain has completely different origins and is perceived racist for different motives than in US, way more mildly motives than in US

Don't you think, @villain , that spanish people should be given time to find out the motive, understand their black people fellows demands and act accordingly and cut some slack to people that they are just discovering, get used to it and feeling positive with the demanded changes?


I think that instead of insulting them, accuse them of racist for a very new phenomena in their society that had being doing blackfacing for centuries, should be approach with understanding (understanding because the reasons are way milder. Racism should not meet with understanding at all), as if not, you would antagonize people with a an attitude from "outside" , demanding to understand your point, completely valid, but without understanding their point and situation. Racism it had been huge in US and civil rights came in a costly way and still have a lot to do, and I understand the anger to suffer this process. But in Spain, as we never experienced immigration till not that long ago, has a process on its own with its own context and a society only goes as fast as the slowest one.

The KKK isn't offensive because they wear white hoods, they're offensive because they lynched and hunted black people like animals - they just happened to do so while choosing white hoods as their uniform.
It doesn't mean you shouldn't wear that white uniform at all - it just means you're likely to get confused with the KKK, but as long as you're not doing anything harmful it shouldn't be a reason to stop. Similar to how the swastika originated in Indian sanskrit before the Nazis got involved.
This is different to blackface because blackface has only existed with racism at its origin - and like someone said earlier, tension & opposition to blackface has always existed, it just wasn't visible because black people didn't have the power to voice their concerns, whereas now with things like social media these opinions can't be ignored & silenced anymore.

Calling something that's racist, racist is valid - and it doesn't necessarily mean thats it forever. I understand the first reaction to something like that is to be defensive, but really it's an opportunity to learn. Choosing to continue to offend for the sake of ego/pride or being angrier at being called racist, rather than the actual racism that's taken place isn't the right way to go about things (not saying thats what you're doing, i'm just speaking generally because a few in this thread seem to not understand this)