How would you have handled this?

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NontradCA

NontradCA

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In your class social media group you see someone make a post you haven't met or talk to. You click on their profile and they have blatant racist (no epithets but every reasonable person would agree including those in my class who saw) remarks all over to minorities and other races as well. I felt compelled to confront them to let them know how stupid they were and should be mindful of what they post on social media. They delete their postings, say it won't happen again and block you. I had a classmate already tell the administration. Thoughts?

My thought process was to avoid the person and if I came in contact to just let everyone know what kind of person they were if anyone else was around (tactfully). Kind of a tough situation.

please keep convo civil.
 
NontradCA said:
In your class social media group you see someone make a post you haven't met or talk to. You click on their profile and they have blatant racist (no epitettes but every reasonable person would agree including those in my class who saw) remarks all over to minorities and other races as well. I felt compelled to confront them to let them know how stupid they were and should be mindful of what they post on social media. They delete their postings, say it won't happen again and block you. I had a classmate already tell the administration. Thoughts?

My thought process was to avoid the person and if I came in contact to just let everyone know what kind of person they were if anyone else was around (tactfully). Kind of a tough situation.

please keep convo civil.
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Unless someone is making blatant threats to harm themselves or another person, I would ignore and stay out of it. I certainly would not get the administration involved. I might mention it to friends, but that's it.
 
QuinnTheEskimo said:
Unless someone is making blatant threats to harm themselves or another person, I would ignore and stay out of it. I certainly would not get the administration involved. I might mention it to friends, but that's it.
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Ya that's what I was thinking. I pretty much said, hey you shouldn't have that there where people could see.
 
QuinnTheEskimo said:
Unless someone is making blatant threats to harm themselves or another person, I would ignore and stay out of it. I certainly would not get the administration involved. I might mention it to friends, but that's it.
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^ Yep. that is probably what 90% of us would do.

But, if this was a med school interview question. Be like: "I'd talk to this person, enlighten them about being accepting of everyone, tell the administration, and file a report with the ACLU".
 
NontradCA said:
In your class social media group you see someone make a post you haven't met or talk to. You click on their profile and they have blatant racist (no epithets but every reasonable person would agree including those in my class who saw) remarks all over to minorities and other races as well. I felt compelled to confront them to let them know how stupid they were and should be mindful of what they post on social media. They delete their postings, say it won't happen again and block you. I had a classmate already tell the administration. Thoughts?

My thought process was to avoid the person and if I came in contact to just let everyone know what kind of person they were if anyone else was around (tactfully). Kind of a tough situation.

please keep convo civil.
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Personally, I wouldn't have told them to hide the postings. When someone is helpfully advertising themselves in their profile as someone you don't want to know, why get in their way? Sometimes that information takes actual effort to figure out.
 
SN12357 said:
Personally, I wouldn't have told them to hide the postings. When someone is helpfully advertising themselves as someone you don't want to know, why get in their way? Sometimes that information takes actual effort to figure out.
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Yes but when the person also posts (their postings are public btw) "I'm gonna be a doctor zomg at xxx school" their actions become a reflection of everyone else. I felt obligated to by association. It's embarrassing.
 
NontradCA said:
Yes but when the person also posts (their postings are public btw) "I'm gonna be a doctor zomg at xxx school" their actions become a reflection of everyone else. I felt obligated to by association. It's embarrassing.
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Yes, but there will always be things about your classmates that you wish didn't reflect on you. Is it better now that this person's racism is going to be hidden? I doubt that being told they're in the wrong in this context will change their mind. Now instead of evidence you will have hearsay (albeit corroborated hearsay).

I'm not trying to sound pedantic here, just thinking out loud.
 
SN12357 said:
Yes, but there will always be things about your classmates that you wish didn't reflect on you. Is it better now that this person's racism is going to be hidden? I doubt that being told they're in the wrong in this context will change their mind. Now instead of evidence you will have hearsay (albeit corroborated hearsay).

I'm not trying to sound pedantic here, just thinking out loud.
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Well I and a lot of the class will know already. I also believe in handling things at the lowest possible level. If they don't learn now they will at some point and crash and burn. I'll let nature run it's course.
 
Tell them the content of their social media posts is offensive and they should take it down. Advise them to adjust privacy settings. Do not escalate beyond this unless they are non-compliant with your suggestions, and make it known you will escalate if needed. This is the appropriate, professional thing to do and is in line with the AMA policy on social media.
 
I, personally, have zero tolerance for racism. I would've done exactly as you did, tell him to bring it down and check his privacy settings and be more mindful in the future. Telling the administration would depend on the post.

Racism is absolutely not ok though and I wouldn't mind letting it sit there for a future employer/admin member to bring down the hammer on him.
Now, if it was just a tactless, mildly racist but harmless joke then I would just tell him to watch what he says on social media.
 
Snitches get stitches.

But in all seriousness, pick your battles, and this doesn't sound worth your time. If I wanted to right every wrong I encounter, I'd be trying to convince my Soviet grandma of evolution and no one wants to see that.
 
Lucca said:
I, personally, have zero tolerance for racism. I would've done exactly as you did, tell him to bring it down and check his privacy settings and be more mindful in the future. Telling the administration would depend on the post.

Racism is absolutely not ok though and I wouldn't mind letting it sit there for a future employer/admin member to bring down the hammer on him.
Now, if it was just a tactless, mildly racist but harmless joke then I would just tell him to watch what he says on social media.
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Nah it wasn't a joke it was a barrage of posts at a person of color as well as justifying racism, saying it's ok to be racist, it's ok because the average white person is racist. White people only judge by skin color etc... Crap like that
 
NontradCA said:
Nah it wasn't a joke it was a barrage of posts at a person of color as well as justifying racism, saying it's ok to be racist, it's ok because the average white person is racist. White people only judge by skin color etc... Crap like that
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Ah ok. Yah if I was administration that would solicit an immediate reject/firing/rescind from me, at least. That punishment is probably extreme but I don't think society (especially in the upper-eschelons of educated society) has room for those people to exist.
 
You told on your future classmate over what you determined to be racist remarks?
Seriously?
 
I don't think I would say anything to the person, but I would definitely report it to the administration. I've found that arguing online about such things is rarely fruitful, and it's easy to slip up and be belittling yourself, so imo involving yourself directly isn't preferable.
 
I, for one, salute you.

Then again, I'm the kind of guy who reports people for inappropriate names/gamer tags.
 
Be careful about spewing the 'r' word around, because people's definition of racism can differ. Theres a huge difference bw making ignorant bigoted jokes and having a personal dislike, hatred for a particular group of people.
 
Well first of all, I didn't tell and secondly the remarks could not be mistaken as anything other than racist. And just thinking this guy is my future classmate makes my skin cringe. But alas, there will alas be people like this.
 
I'm trying to figure out who wins the race to the bottom of intolerance, the real racist out there, or those of you who think just because you decide someone is racist (subjective interpretation not-withstanding) you tell on them like you're 5 years old and try to wreck their entire futures.

Trying to change hearts and minds through force, intimidation and fear is the realm of tyrants and would be dictators.

This is disturbing.
 
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NontradCA said:
Well first of all, I didn't tell and secondly the remarks could not be mistaken as anything other than racist. And just thinking this guy is my future classmate makes my skin cringe. But alas, there will alas be people like this.
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so youre saying that a med school has admitted a racist into their incoming class? which school?
 
Patassa said:
I'm trying to figure out who wins the race to the bottom of intolerance, the real racist out there, or those of you who think just because you decide someone is racist (subjective interpretation not-withstanding) you tell on them like you're 5 years old and try to wreck their entire futures.
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If you make serious racist comments you are either:

A) A Racist
B) An Idiot

Either way, I don't have the patience for them. I have no problem reporting people like this. 20-somethings should know better. 20-somethings who went to college and were accepted to medical school should know even better.
 
VolunteerMoose said:
so youre saying that a med school has admitted a racist into their incoming class? which school?
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Yes that's what I'm saying. I'm not surprised at all..and I'm obviously not going to say the school.
 
Patassa said:
I'm trying to figure out who wins the race to the bottom of intolerance, the real racist out there, or those of you who think just because you decide someone is racist (subjective interpretation not-withstanding) you tell on them like you're 5 years old and try to wreck their entire futures.
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I agree completely. Unfortunately, I have a strong feeling this will be a minority opinion on SDN. Everyone was raised differently though, and I think it largely comes down to culture. For some reason culture in the US encourages whistle blowing and an everyone-out-for-themselves attitude. Sure, the person was a racist/idiot, but who made you moral police and why do you have to make someone's life a little worse? If everyone focused more on what's wrong with themselves and less on what's wrong with other people, we'd be much farther along.
 
Lucca said:
If you make serious racist comments you are either:

A) A Racist
B) An Idiot

Either way, I don't have the patience for them. I have no problem reporting people like this. 20-somethings should know better. 20-somethings who went to college and were accepted to medical school should know even better.
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What's a "serious" racist comment? Is that different than a "slightly" or "sorta" or "maybe" racist comment?

You want to report people because they don't think the same way you do or make a statement that you disagree with?
Have you learned any history at all?
 
NontradCA said:
I had a classmate already tell the administration.
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That scares me, but at the same time, what exactly did this person say to warrant that I wonder...

Can't be too quick to bring down the hammer of social justice on the fb villain right?
 
Preaching tolerance while socially crucifying those they deem to be intolerant.

The height of hypocrisy and dangerous as hell.

What if someday it's your ideas that have gone out of style?
 
Solaire said:
That scares me, but at the same time, what exactly did this person say to warrant that I wonder...

Can't be too quick to bring down the hammer of social justice on the fb villain ripping off 9gag jokes (he didn't make a Kool Kidz Klub reference did he? because maybe then I could see it)
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I'm not going to go into more detail than I already have, but if you're stupid to attack someone else based on race knowing people will be offended, all the while keeping your privacy settings open and flaunting your future as someone's doctor, I don't feel bad at all.
 
^ You raise a good point, if you're posting anything on public, you're just asking for it
 
I'm no snitch, but suppose I was waitlisted at this accepted premed's school....
 
Patassa said:
Preaching tolerance while socially crucifying those they deem to be intolerant.

The height of hypocrisy and dangerous as hell.
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Crucifying = reporting someone to the administration. Ok.

images
 
I wonder how run-ins with this dude once classes start will be like...
Doudline said:
Crucifying = reporting someone to the administration. Ok.

images
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I don't think he was referencing that, but rather speaking about the bigger picture. He raises a good point you know (outside of extreme cases).
 
Doudline said:
I don't think I would say anything to the person, but I would definitely report it to the administration. I've found that arguing online about such things is rarely fruitful, and it's easy to slip up and be belittling yourself, so imo involving yourself directly isn't preferable.
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In the real world, this is called being a backstabbing *****
 
NontradCA said:
Well first of all, I didn't tell and secondly the remarks could not be mistaken as anything other than racist. And just thinking this guy is my future classmate makes my skin cringe. But alas, there will alas be people like this.
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Re: people like this - http://fox4kc.com/2013/07/12/doctor-gives-woman-diagnosis-of-a-ghetto-booty-for-back-pain/

I don't think people who are racists should be flat out denied a medical education because of their opinion, but it will present certain, um, challenges when communicating with minority patients. Those challenges compromise the quality of care that they are giving to different groups - and that is why they shouldn't be doctors.
 
NontradCA said:
I'm not going to go into more detail than I already have, but if you're stupid to attack someone else based on race knowing people will be offended, all the while keeping your privacy settings open and flaunting your future as someone's doctor, I don't feel bad at all.
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ok. personal attacks against a group of people based on perceived stereotypes is definitely 'racism' territory. i agree with you. Then you should name the school. so at least its out in public. you wouldnt be defaming anyone bc youve just been stating your opinion. stuff like this should be out in the open.
 
Patassa said:
That's cute. Deal with the content.
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What content; you implying that there are different levels of racism and that some are OK? You not acknowledging that some people commit suicide after receiving such comments, even comments many people would deem innocent or tame? That people like you who complain about "political correctness" and wished people would just "mind their own business" about issues such as this one are one of the main reasons bullying is so prevalent in our culture?

No, you should really get off the Internet, honey.
 
If someone says a racist, sexist, homophobic or whatever thing, they deserve to get called out on it.

I wouldn't necessarily tell the administration, but if you post something on Facebook you are looking for a public response.
 
VolunteerMoose said:
ok. personal attacks against a group of people based on perceived stereotypes is definitely 'racism' territory. i agree with you. Then you should name the school. so at least its out in public. you wouldnt be defaming anyone bc youve just been stating your opinion. stuff like this should be out in the open.
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Sorry, I'm not naming the school. I'm just looking for different perspectives and not trying to draw more attention to it.

Interestingly though, I believe if the school did a search of this person they wouldn't have admitted them.
 
Doudline said:
What content; you implying that there are different levels of racism and that some are OK? You not acknowledging that some people commit suicide after receiving such comments, even comments many people would deem innocent or tame? That people like you who complain about "political correctness" and wished people would just "mind their own business" about issues such as this one are one of the main reasons bullying is so prevalent in our culture?

No, you should really get off the Internet, honey.
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No, I implied that using a subjective measure to state something objectively is asinine.

I have no idea why you're wandering off into this emotional diatribe about suicide and bullying. That's a red herring and you're just being intellectually lazy by taking it there.

I have no idea what or who you are quoting.

You're not only for thought policing, but internet policing as well?
 
NontradCA said:
Nah it wasn't a joke it was a barrage of posts at a person of color as well as justifying racism, saying it's ok to be racist, it's ok because the average white person is racist. White people only judge by skin color etc... Crap like that
Click to expand...

Patassa said:
What's a "serious" racist comment? Is that different than a "slightly" or "sorta" or "maybe" racist comment?

You want to report people because they don't think the same way you do or make a statement that you disagree with?
Have you learned any history at all?
Click to expand...

Those comments seem pretty racist to me. Racist apologetics is just as bad as racism to me.

Yes I want to report people that make statements I don't agree with....exclusively when those statements are hateful and racist...
 
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