Am I racist?

Question

I was once beaten and raped as a young adult by a younger black man. He wore all red, and had a shaved head and a beard. They never caught this man. So when I see a black male that looks like him, I get freaked out. I know it's probably not him and know that not all black men are bad but it's just happens.
 I seen a previous post about a women that was afraid of middle easterns cause of all the attacks, and had an anxiety problem when they were around....Although she did say she knows not all are terrorists, but was attacked and called racist for this. So does that make me racist? Or is this completely different?

Answer

I think if you get the shit kicked out of you by someone, it's a natural reaction to feel fear of anyone who resembles that person.

Answer

not at all! if you labelled all black men as rapists then that's racism, but being wary of people that resemble your attacker is only natural!

Answer

You're judging a whole race by the horrible actions of one. I'm not trying to trivialise your traumatic experience, but black people are not to fault for that, your attacker is.

Honestly, maybe you should seek some kind of help to cope with your attack. I'm sorry for what's happened to you.

Answer

It's not racist but I'm not understanding the story about the woman who said she was scared because of the terrorist attacks. Was she harmed by a terrorist? I can see why people might call her RACIST because it might seem like she is using it as an excuse because no one knows what a terrorist looks like. While you only stated that you are fearful of men who look like your attacker, not all black men.

Answer

Nope! You're not. 
And I seen that post. I didn't feel she was being racist. She wrote that she knows not ALL middle easterns are bad/terrorist. She also said the men were dressed in all black.... Like the Paris shooters were. 
I know the post was edited a lot too, so maybe parts got left out.

Answer

No, you have been personally traumatized and certain things are bound to bring back that memory whether it be black people/men/people wearing red/people with beards. That's not your fault, and it's really unfortunate.

Answer

I think it would be totally different if you were afraid of all black men, but getting triggered by men who specifically look like him is understandable. You might very well feel that way regardless of his race. I'm sorry you went through that. I hope you can find healing. Have you talked to anyone? It might be helpful. Wishing you the best.

Answer

If I was hurt by a white shaved headed man id be scared of all white shaved headed men, not racist

Answer

Nah. You're not racist. You recognize that your fear is from your experience,  you recognize that black men themselves aren't "scary savage creatures", and therefore it's not racism but more of a trigger I'd say.

I have a similar fear from a similar experience. 6ft+ white men make me insanely nervous.

Answer

No, it doesn't make you racist to fear people who look like your attacker. It is a normal reaction to a traumatic experience. I'm sorry for what happened to you.

Am I racist?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey