Is it possible for someone with bigoted views to not allow those views to affect their behaviour ?

Question

Do you think it’s possible for someone who is racist / sexist / homophobic etc to have those views internally but not let it interfere with their behaviour or everyday life? Eg an employer? Or just going about their day?  Hope this makes sense?

Accepted Answer

I think it’s possible for them to THINK they’re acting without bias, but unconscious bias is very real. How many whites people who think they aren’t racist have unconscious ingrained behaviors? (And I’m white for the record, and I know that as much as I like to think I’m aware and bit racist I also know I still have ingrained behaviors and biases.)

Answer

No.

Answer

Whenever I feel that someone is picking me out for being a person of color, or for being a girl, or for being the child of immigrants, I always express my frustration to my dad and I’ll always be so upset because they usually don’t DO anything to me so there’s nothing to prove that they were being racist or sexist. Then my dad will always tell me “racism is 99% what people DON’T do or say”. 
He’s basically trying to teach me that even if people aren’t outright racist to me, you can see it and feel it in their normal, unconscious actions.

Answer

My first thought is a hard no, and I stand by that if they don’t see an issue with their views. 
However, I do think it’s possible for people who grew up in a bigoted environment to have a process of unlearning, and relearning. I think they can keep themselves in check if they make a conscious effort to do so. Sometimes that’s as simple as saying to yourself, “I’m keeping my mouth shut and listening, because everything I learned about this subject is hateful”.

Answer

I think if they know and accept that they hold those views, and know and accept that those views are wrong, they can work to actively counteract those views.  A lot of bigotry and racism is just so ingrained from systemic issues.  It's in the media we consume, it's in our education, it's in our nightly news, it's in our jokes and conversations with our peers.  Some people don't even realize they've internalized that racism until it's pointed out to them. 
I'm not gonna knock a person for being racist or bigoted when they've grown up in this environment, but when presented with the knowledge of how specific actions actively hurt an entire segment of the population and given the tools to make a change, I expect them to embrace the change. And I will judge them if I see them making a choice to instead cling to their racism as if it is some right.  And I can't believe that someone who isn't actively against these views isn't going to let it influence their daily life. 
So if you have a boss that still says "china virus," or a friend that modifies an ethnic name without permission because it's "too hard to pronounce," or a coworker that refuses to use the correct pronouns for another coworker – those people are absolutely allowing their bigoted views influence how they treat people.

Answer

Impossible. Our actions are a direct reflection of our values. This makes me think of white folks who “accidentally” said the n-word when drunk. Sooner or later, that vitriol will bubble to the surface..

Answer

No. No matter how hard you try to mask your ignorance, -ism, -phobic, it will ALWAYS come out.
More than likely they will feel comfortable enough to talk to the wrong person and it will come to light.

Answer

I think it's possible for someone to CHANGE their views when they're put into a position where their views could possibly interfere with their professional judgment (or whatever the particular scenario is). I have a family member who used to be very homophobic, until he started working with a gay guy and completely did a 360. He ended up being really good friends with this guy and is now an outspoken ally. 
But if you're not willing to change when confronted with something that challenges your worldview, then no, I think your biases will show through in your actions, if not overtly then covertly and insidiously

Answer

Some people can hide their ignorance. However, I think the truth always comes out sooner or later.

Answer

I guess I'm odd one out. I think you can hide it. I think that's the main reason to say systemic racism excelled. But, I'm from the Midwest, we stomach all our feelings. Also, if someone is racist they could go a while without opportunity to be outwardly racist (meaning there's lack of diversity).

Is it possible for someone with bigoted views to not allow those views to affect their behaviour ?

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