SRL Archive - Discussions & Debates

So, I am having some issues lately, I've always known about them, however they have become more prominent lately. My parents, specifically my dad are racist. He usually keeps his ideas to himself, however his comments about Blacks, Chinese specifically (all cheap, Meric'a yeah) type issues. We usually do not agree on opinions as I am an atheist and he is Christain, but that is something I've dealt with. Usually I can just deal with this however today my brother who is 13 made a comment to the affect of "I dont want that, it is a cheap Chinese piece of crap" and I've seen our dad's views leaking through and this really upsets me as I am one to embrace culture, diversity and ethnicity. I love it and always have.

So my question, what should I do? How should I deal with this? I cannot watch him grow up with the same Intolerant and hateful views.

From: King
So, I am having some issues lately, I've always known about them, however they have become more prominent lately. My parents, specifically my dad are racist. He usually keeps his ideas to himself, however his comments about Blacks, Chinese specifically (all cheap, Meric'a yeah) type issues. We usually do not agree on opinions as I am an atheist and he is Christain, but that is something I've dealt with. Usually I can just deal with this however today my brother who is 13 made a comment to the affect of "I dont want that, it is a cheap Chinese piece of crap" and I've seen our dad's views leaking through and this really upsets me as I am one to embrace culture, diversity and ethnicity. I love it and always have.

So my question, what should I do? How should I deal with this? I cannot watch him grow up with the same Intolerant and hateful views.

I'm not sure how this will come across as I'm not racist in the slightest.
I think you should maybe let your brother have his own views and opinions, the same as you do with your atheism.
Maybe you should step in and give a little wisdom but what he said "cheap Chinese piece of crap" isn't really in my opinion a major racist remark, for instance a lot of Countries make cheap and rubbish cars in comparison to Germany and I'm sure people say things very similar to what your brother said.


Edit***
Also you do get some shoddy chinese clones and products but you do also get some really solid electronic devices too.

This may sound like a stupid answer…

Your brother is 13. So he is going to follow things that he thinks are cool. So try to make things that are different from the southern ideology (racism/Christianity) sound uncool. So show him things like Bill Maher's religulous, or Richard Dawkins irritating somebody, or some loser being racist. I can't think of an example for racism. But regardless, those things are funny/cool. And it might set him in that rebel phase that we all have when we're 13-15.

Calling something a "Chinese piece of crap" isn't really racist. I would say let things take their own course - trying to intervene will just make him think you're being overbearing. In this day and age, avoiding being exposed to culture is a difficult thing to do. Or maybe the same thing will happen to him that happened to me - he'll meet a girl who will straighten him out.

From: Camel
This may sound like a stupid answer…

Your brother is 13. So he is going to follow things that he thinks are cool. So try to make things that are different from the southern ideology (racism/Christianity) sound uncool. So show him things like Bill Maher's religulous, or Richard Dawkins irritating somebody, or some loser being racist. I can't think of an example for racism. But regardless, those things are funny/cool. And it might set him in that rebel phase that we all have when we're 13-15.

Yea.. racism is a southern ideology.

Also most stuff that comes from china is crap, what your brother said it pretty much true

From: TomTuff
Calling something a "Chinese piece of crap" isn't really racist. I would say let things take their own course - trying to intervene will just make him think you're being overbearing. In this day and age, avoiding being exposed to culture is a difficult thing to do. Or maybe the same thing will happen to him that happened to me - he'll meet a girl who will straighten him out.

It's not really just that, that was just the example that I was giving, it's been leaking through in more ways. Such as thumbing his nose at blacks ect.. That just set me off today. Thanks for the advice, I think I will just let him screw his life up if he chooses to do so. Also, @Robert I really do hope you are kidding. For your sake and the people you interact with.

From: Robert
Yea.. racism is a southern ideology.

Also most stuff that comes from china is crap, what your brother said it pretty much true

The correct word would have been sterotype. But it's astonishing how many people are racist/homophobic down here.

From: Camel
The correct word would have been sterotype. But it's astonishing how many people are racist/homophobic down here.

I've never really experienced southern areas as I only visit the main parts of Florida (Orlando, Cocoa Beach).. ect..

From: Robert

Also most stuff that comes from china is crap, what your brother said it pretty much true

Do you have some examples? I wouldn't agree with that. It's really just a common belief, the majority of people who say it would have no real knowledge if it's true or not, just a case of going with the flow.

I'd personally vouch for their cheap smartphone clones. Off the top of my head I can't think of any logical examples to back up that popular belief. I got a good dose of Asian culture when I lived in Indonesia for the past 4 years. A much clearer understanding, to say the least.

Also, good for your King, keeping open-minded (and atheism, that's great if you ask me).

From: Flight
Do you have some examples? I wouldn't agree with that. It's really just a common belief, the majority of people who say it would have no real knowledge if it's true or not, just a case of going with the flow.

I'd personally vouch for their cheap smartphone clones. Off the top of my head I can't think of any logical examples to back up that popular belief.

Also, good for your King, keeping open-minded (and atheism, that's great if you ask me).

I appreciate the kind words :)

I agree with you, it seems people who spout the idea do not really back it up, rather than "it's not American" is what I have found. There are many knock off products, but they are available in most markets, not just China.

From: Robert
Yea.. racism is a southern ideology.

Also most stuff that comes from china is crap, what your brother said it pretty much true

Undercover dad strikes from all angles*

First of all, your brothers comment is totally not racist, neither Roberts. People nowadays have become over-sensitive with "racism". Many cannot differ between stereotypes and real racism. for example: "all Black people like grape juice" thats not racist, its a stereotype. "everything(referring to electronics) from china is cheap and bad quallity" also, a stereotype, which indeed is accurate. Since the biggest industry of china is based on copying and reproducing stuff from other countries (toys, cars, plastic stuff). There is evidence of this if you look around, compare the quallity of a german car to a chinese card and see. Saying this is not racist, and besides, China does this on purpose, its a different way of doing bussines! you can do quality and low quantity (germany) or low quallity and high quantity (pretty much china and indochina(except some countries)).

Recently i've read an interesting article that talked about racism nowadays. It said that its not the same from the racism in the 90's. Nowadays racism is pretty much erradicated (except some places). What stands now are cultural stereotypes and reactions.

The university of colorado (not sure about which state) has made a study in which they made people play a game and they measured their reactions. The game consisted of shooting or not shooting people (if they had a gun yes, if they didnt have a gun dont shoot). They measured the reaction time of people and the results were that the majority of people (EVEN BLACK PEOPLE!) reacted faster when a black person with a gun appeared, and it also said that people misjugded more times if the person that appeared was black, i mean they shot the black guys even if they didnt have a gun (by mistake).

I will search for the article now, but cant remember where i read it!

In regards to your brother, i think the key to this is making him realize by himself that religion and racism are sh*t, you can do that as stated above by introducing him to cool videos like bil mayers and stuff like that. I mean, he is old enough to think by himself already (or atleast i was at 13), and if he realizes by himself it will make a much bigger effect than if you just impose to him atheist and non-racist ideas!

i leave you some definitions of racism:

oxford dictionary:
"Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior"

"The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races"

"http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism":

"a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others."

"a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination."

"hatred or intolerance of another race or other races."

From: TomTuff
Calling something a "Chinese piece of crap" isn't really racist.

I'd say it's more stereotypical than racist.

From: King
It's not really just that, that was just the example that I was giving, it's been leaking through in more ways. Such as thumbing his nose at blacks ect.. That just set me off today. Thanks for the advice, I think I will just let him screw his life up if he chooses to do so. Also, @Robert I really do hope you are kidding. For your sake and the people you interact with.

So it's not okay to generalize a race but it's ok to generalize a region/culture of 100 million people?

It's like anything anytime a white person in the south does something prejudicial towards a black person it's gotta make the news because "it would happen in the south"

From: John
I'd say it's more stereotypical than racist.

I was not referring to my brothers comment as racist, rather that his views are much similar to my dads. I was referring to the racist comments my dad makes about Chinese, blacks ect.. It does not make sense because that is not what I meant. My wording was a bit off as I didn't punctuate correctly.

I do not understand why people are assuming that I meant my brothers comment was racist, I was insinuating that his comment was a direct view of my dad and afraid it will lead to the more racist remarks.

From: undorak7
First of all, your brothers comment is totally not racist, neither Roberts. People nowadays have become over-sensitive with "racism". Many cannot differ between stereotypes and real racism. for example: "all Black people like grape juice" thats not racist, its a stereotype. "everything(referring to electronics) from china is cheap and bad quallity" also, a stereotype, which indeed is accurate. Since the biggest industry of china is based on copying and reproducing stuff from other countries (toys, cars, plastic stuff). There is evidence of this if you look around, compare the quallity of a german car to a chinese card and see. Saying this is not racist, and besides, China does this on purpose, its a different way of doing bussines! you can do quality and low quantity (germany) or low quallity and high quantity (pretty much china and indochina(except some countries)).

Recently i've read an interesting article that talked about racism nowadays. It said that its not the same from the racism in the 90's. Nowadays racism is pretty much erradicated (except some places). What stands now are cultural stereotypes and reactions.

The university of colorado (not sure about which state) has made a study in which they made people play a game and they measured their reactions. The game consisted of shooting or not shooting people (if they had a gun yes, if they didnt have a gun dont shoot). They measured the reaction time of people and the results were that the majority of people (EVEN BLACK PEOPLE!) reacted faster when a black person with a gun appeared, and it also said that people misjugded more times if the person that appeared was black, i mean they shot the black guys even if they didnt have a gun (by mistake).

I will search for the article now, but cant remember where i read it!

In regards to your brother, i think the key to this is making him realize by himself that religion and racism are sh*t, you can do that as stated above by introducing him to cool videos like bil mayers and stuff like that. I mean, he is old enough to think by himself already (or atleast i was at 13), and if he realizes by himself it will make a much bigger effect than if you just impose to him atheist and non-racist ideas!

i leave you some definitions of racism:

oxford dictionary:
"Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior"

"The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races"

"http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism":

"a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others."

"a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination."

"hatred or intolerance of another race or other races."

Thankyou for the ideas, but please read my post. I did not say my brothers comment was racist, I said it was a view of my fathers and I was afraid that his view would become similar to that of my fathers. I said my dads views of chinese, blacks are racist.

From: King
Thankyou for the ideas, but please read my post. I did not say my brothers comment was racist, I said it was a view of my fathers and I was afraid that his view would become similar to that of my fathers. I said my dads views of chinese, blacks are racist.

Anytime :)

BTW Tom said this:

From: TomTuff
Calling something a "Chinese piece of crap" isn't really racist. I would say let things take their own course - trying to intervene will just make him think you're being overbearing. In this day and age, avoiding being exposed to culture is a difficult thing to do. Or maybe the same thing will happen to him that happened to me - he'll meet a girl who will
straighten him out.

and you answeered this:

From: King
It's not really just that, that was just the example that I was giving, it's been leaking through in more ways. Such as thumbing his nose at blacks ect.. That just set me off today. Thanks for the advice, I think I will just let him screw his life up if he chooses to do so. Also, Robert I really do hope you are kidding. For your sake and the people you interact with.

That made me think you thought of your brother's comment as racist, since you are implying it by answering that "it's not really just that" when he said that "chinese piece of crap" was a racist comment, and you didn't correct him for saying it was racist.

My bad though! since at the main post you clearly didn't say it was a racist comment, you just stated it was your fathers views heh

From: King
So, I am having some issues lately, I've always known about them, however they have become more prominent lately. My parents, specifically my dad are racist. He usually keeps his ideas to himself, however his comments about Blacks, Chinese specifically (all cheap, Meric'a yeah) type issues. We usually do not agree on opinions as I am an atheist and he is Christain, but that is something I've dealt with. Usually I can just deal with this however today my brother who is 13 made a comment to the affect of "I dont want that, it is a cheap Chinese piece of crap" and I've seen our dad's views leaking through and this really upsets me as I am one to embrace culture, diversity and ethnicity. I love it and always have.

So my question, what should I do? How should I deal with this? I cannot watch him grow up with the same Intolerant and hateful views.

I'm also currently growing up in the same situation. The only difference is i'm the younger son (obviously older than 13) but my older brother adopted the same views as my brother and I honestly think that it's not specific to your family but also specific to the group of friends the person has. I grew up around a diverse group of kids but my brother was always sheltered in private schools until high school. My parents have racist views that just didn't rub off on me so i'm not real sure how this can help but i hope it can!

From: getskilled
obviously older than 13

Why would that be obvious?

From: King
I was not referring to my brothers comment as racist, rather that his views are much similar to my dads. I was referring to the racist comments my dad makes about Chinese, blacks ect.. It does not make sense because that is not what I meant. My wording was a bit off as I didn't punctuate correctly.

I do not understand why people are assuming that I meant my brothers comment was racist, I was insinuating that his comment was a direct view of my dad and afraid it will lead to the more racist remarks.

what makes you say your dads racist?

From: Frement
Why would that be obvious?

maybe he said it because there are not any 13 year old's here (are there?), thats what i understood atleast..

From: undorak7
maybe he said it because there are not any 13 year old's here (are there?), thats what i understood atleast..

I'm sure there have been 13 year olds here at one point. After all, 13 year olds play RS and some of those players will want to bot and some that want to bot will want to not get banned so some will come here.

And @NKN; is somewhere around that age I think?

Also for King: Your brother might also end up basing his behaviour off of yours to some extent so if he sees you as someone that he wants to be like when he gets older then he might end up with views similar to yours. :)

From: King
I was not referring to my brothers comment as racist, rather that his views are much similar to my dads. I was referring to the racist comments my dad makes about Chinese, blacks ect.. It does not make sense because that is not what I meant. My wording was a bit off as I didn't punctuate correctly.

I do not understand why people are assuming that I meant my brothers comment was racist, I was insinuating that his comment was a direct view of my dad and afraid it will lead to the more racist remarks.

He look up after his father then. His views won't change until he starts to find things he disagrees with his dad on. When this happens he will question what his father says and formulate his own opinions.

It's my belief that everyone is racist; if you are loose with your definition. I know for a fact that race is something I use to conjure assumptions about people. Quite often my assumptions get shattered, and I am forced to reevaluate.

So through a large variety of experiences, you are better able to break away from stereotypes. Letting yourself be exposed to only one viewpoint is what causes trouble.

I would caution against shocking someone into a different view point, as they will just assume they are in "enemy waters" and must view everything with harsh skepticism. Start off easy and work your way up.

Perhaps a good place to start would be by watching select Dave Chappelle skits. He actually stopped producing his TV show when he began to question if his jokes were actually enforcing racial stereotypes rather than breaking them. In my opinion it nicely opens up racial topics for discussion. If you just laugh about it, each person might take away something different. (enforcing vs breaking of stereotypes)

Young minds are the most malleable, be a role model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeK759FF84s I would suggest you all watch that. It's a pretty cool experiment we watched in my psychology class. Figured you all would enjoy it.

this is what i referred to in my previous post:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/opinion/nicholas-kristof-is-everyone-a-little-bit-racist.html?_r=0

edit: great vid ! @getskilled thx for sharing it!

From: Flight
Do you have some examples? I wouldn't agree with that. It's really just a common belief, the majority of people who say it would have no real knowledge if it's true or not, just a case of going with the flow.

I'd personally vouch for their cheap smartphone clones. Off the top of my head I can't think of any logical examples to back up that popular belief. I got a good dose of Asian culture when I lived in Indonesia for the past 4 years. A much clearer understanding, to say the least.

Also, good for your King, keeping open-minded (and atheism, that's great if you ask me).

Honestly, mass produced Chinese products are crap, but it has nothing to do with the ethnicity of the workers manufacturing them. Most Chinese products are made in large quantities at as low of a price as possible. It's not something that can really be argued, it's basically fact. That isn't to say, however, that non-Chinese products are inherently better, they can be just as poor a quality as Chinese products.

—

@King, I think that I can give you some advice based on the fact that we're a similar age and I have an 11 year old brother in a similar situation to yours. I am also an Atheist (Antitheist actually, but only when people properly understand what that word means), and I also have some greatly differing views to my parents. My 11 year old brother is very easily influenced by the things that my Dad says, and both myself and my other younger brother (a year younger than me) were easily influenced by the things that he said too. The thing is, at 11 years old, and in your brother's case, 13 years old, you are very easily influenced by those you look up to. I was influenced by what my Dad said all the time, but being that I was raised to think for myself, I soon learned that some of the things that he says just aren't OK, and that they're more of a product of his generation than anything else. There's a good chance that your brother looks up to you in some ways, even if he's never said it, and it's likely that if you set a good example for him, he'll end up being an open, freethinking person just like yourself.

I disagree with the notion that you need to somehow "steer" or "guide" him in the "right" direction, rather I believe that people in our situation are best off setting a good example for our younger siblings and making sure that they know that we're here for them for absolutely everything. Whether that be asking about girls, sex, religion, social issues (racism, sexism, etc), politics, or anything else. If your younger brother asks a question about something, do your best to explain it to him in a calm and rational way.

You should also not be afraid to correct things that he says, but that depends entirely on context. If you're in the car with him and he says (absolutely random example), "look at that stupid black guy" or something, correct him and point out what he said wrong in, again, a calm and rational way.

Best of luck, and respect for being concerned for your brothers development… it's only natural to feel like that, imo, so don't feel as though you're doing something wrong. Just remember that he is his own person and he will develop his own personality and character in time, just as you did. You seem to have turned out alright despite the issues you have with your parents, so unless something drastic happens, your brother probably will too. :)

From: BMWxi
I'm sure there have been 13 year olds here at one point. After all, 13 year olds play RS and some of those players will want to bot and some that want to bot will want to not get banned so some will come here.

And @NKN; is somewhere around that age I think?

Also for King: Your brother might also end up basing his behaviour off of yours to some extent so if he sees you as someone that he wants to be like when he gets older then he might end up with views similar to yours. :)

NKN is 15 I think, I'm quite sure he's a year younger than me. But we do have a 10 year old on SRL; but not active in the community.

From: Harrier
NKN is 15 I think, I'm quite sure he's a year younger than me. But we do have a 10 year old on SRL; but not active in the community.

I'm 16.

From: NKN
I'm 16.

Ya gettin old now ;)

If I was you; I would not get involved, as someone had mentioned earlier. Let him grow up and once he is old enough he will know what is right and what is wrong in the future;

From: Incurable
Honestly, mass produced Chinese products are crap, but it has nothing to do with the ethnicity of the workers manufacturing them. Most Chinese products are made in large quantities at as low of a price as possible. It's not something that can really be argued, it's basically fact. That isn't to say, however, that non-Chinese products are inherently better, they can be just as poor a quality as Chinese products.

—

@King, I think that I can give you some advice based on the fact that we're a similar age and I have an 11 year old brother in a similar situation to yours. I am also an Atheist (Antitheist actually, but only when people properly understand what that word means), and I also have some greatly differing views to my parents. My 11 year old brother is very easily influenced by the things that my Dad says, and both myself and my other younger brother (a year younger than me) were easily influenced by the things that he said too. The thing is, at 11 years old, and in your brother's case, 13 years old, you are very easily influenced by those you look up to. I was influenced by what my Dad said all the time, but being that I was raised to think for myself, I soon learned that some of the things that he says just aren't OK, and that they're more of a product of his generation than anything else. There's a good chance that your brother looks up to you in some ways, even if he's never said it, and it's likely that if you set a good example for him, he'll end up being an open, freethinking person just like yourself.

I disagree with the notion that you need to somehow "steer" or "guide" him in the "right" direction, rather I believe that people in our situation are best off setting a good example for our younger siblings and making sure that they know that we're here for them for absolutely everything. Whether that be asking about girls, sex, religion, social issues (racism, sexism, etc), politics, or anything else. If your younger brother asks a question about something, do your best to explain it to him in a calm and rational way.

You should also not be afraid to correct things that he says, but that depends entirely on context. If you're in the car with him and he says (absolutely random example), "look at that stupid black guy" or something, correct him and point out what he said wrong in, again, a calm and rational way.

Best of luck, and respect for being concerned for your brothers development… it's only natural to feel like that, imo, so don't feel as though you're doing something wrong. Just remember that he is his own person and he will develop his own personality and character in time, just as you did. You seem to have turned out alright despite the issues you have with your parents, so unless something drastic happens, your brother probably will too. :)

I am more than likely going to take this approach, as I am a bit calmer now than I was beforehand when I noticed his views leaking threw of my dads. @Robert my dad is racist as he does not like black people because they are black?…He reinforces negative stereotypes and honesty believes them.

From: King
I am more than likely going to take this approach, as I am a bit calmer now than I was beforehand when I noticed his views leaking threw of my dads. @Robert my dad is racist as he does not like black people because they are black?…He reinforces negative stereotypes and honesty believes them.

Examples?

From: Robert
Examples?

Are you seriously asking King to prove to you that his father, a man that you have and will never meet, is a racist?

—

King, that's good to hear, I'm glad I could offer you some sound advice. :)

From: Incurable
Are you seriously asking King to prove to you that his father, a man that you have and will never meet, is a racist?

—

King, that's good to hear, I'm glad I could offer you some sound advice. :)

I'm not going to assume someone is racist based off 1 persons observations.

From: Robert
I'm not going to assume someone is racist based off 1 persons observations.

Your ignorance is showing.

From: NKN
Your ignorance is showing.

So I gotta judge someone else that I never met based off 1 persons word? Lol, ok.

From: King
I am more than likely going to take this approach, as I am a bit calmer now than I was beforehand when I noticed his views leaking threw of my dads. @Robert my dad is racist as he does not like black people because they are black?…He reinforces negative stereotypes and honesty believes them.

That is a good approach to go with, it should be applauded that you care for your brother and are looking out for him.
Some of the time people don't listen anyway and you have to let them take their own path and make their own mistakes.

Have you ever challenged your dad on his views or spoke to him about it?

From: Robert
So I gotta judge someone else that I never met based off 1 persons word? Lol, ok.

nobody said you had to judge anyone

From: undorak7
nobody said you had to judge anyone

But I'm not going to assume hes racist if I don't know him

If he is then sucks for him theres a lot of cool people hes missing out on interacting with

From: Robert
But I'm not going to assume hes racist if I don't know him

If he is then sucks for him theres a lot of cool people hes missing out on interacting with

yeah i understand what you say, but the focus of the post was not if his dad was racist or not, but that his brother was getting his father views and king not wanting that.

From: Robert
Examples?

My parents, specifically my dad are racist. He usually keeps his ideas to himself, however his comments about Blacks, Chinese specifically (all cheap, Meric'a yeah) type issues. We usually do not agree on opinions as I am an atheist and he is Christain, but that is something I've dealt with. Usually I can just deal with this however today my brother who is 13 made a comment to the affect of "I dont want that, it is a cheap Chinese piece of crap" and I've seen our dad's views leaking through and this really upsets me as I am one to embrace culture, diversity and ethnicity. I love it and always have.

There you go. In his original post is an example of what his brother said which he states is "our dad's views leaking through".

You shouldn't need any more examples seeing as this is a close family relative and it is considered a reliable source.

From: P1nky
If I was you; I would not get involved, as someone had mentioned earlier. Let him grow up and once he is old enough he will know what is right and what is wrong in the future;

I think this is the best thing to do so long as things don't get out of control (if your bro actually starts to act on his racist thoughts like joining a hate group or participating in riots or is intentionally abrasive to those races such as calling a black guy a nigger to his face [this might get him rekt lol] or mocking a chinese guy's accent to his face). It's not really your job to tell your brother what to believe, it's best that he figure it out himself. Otherwise it'll end up being worse for him as he won't truly understand why what he's saying is bad. It's a valuable skill that is developed through experience.

If things get out of control you should probably let your parents know and hopefully they have enough sense to rectify the situation…if not well…gl

From: J_R
I think this is the best thing to do so long as things don't get out of control (if your bro actually starts to act on his racist thoughts like joining a hate group or participating in riots or is intentionally abrasive to those races such as calling a black guy a nigger to his face [this might get him rekt lol] or mocking a chinese guy's accent to his face). It's not really your job to tell your brother what to believe, it's best that he figure it out himself. Otherwise it'll end up being worse for him as he won't truly understand why what he's saying is bad. It's a valuable skill that is developed through experience.

If things get out of control you should probably let your parents know and hopefully they have enough sense to rectify the situation…if not well…gl

I agree, I will be taking this approach, just trying to set a good example for him.

I appreciate the responses guys, @Robert if you are going to simply argue whether or not my dad is racist in his views please just stop. I do not see what you gain from this besides trying to incite people?

From: John
He look up after his father then. His views won't change until he starts to find things he disagrees with his dad on. When this happens he will question what his father says and formulate his own opinions.

From personal experience this could literally not be any more true. All it will take is one slight disagreement to shatter his mutually adapted opinions.

From: J_R
…It's not really your job to tell your brother what to believe, it's best that he figure it out himself. Otherwise it'll end up being worse for him as he won't truly understand why what he's saying is bad. It's a valuable skill that is developed through experience.

'Tis true what you're saying but I don't believe it's the completely the right thing to do. If it were me I wouldn't push them to either side, I would just make it absolutely clear that their opinions and choices should be decided upon by themselves and not at all influenced by others. Just encourage them to think on their own, whether they agree with the common opinions or not.

From: Flight
'Tis true what you're saying but I don't believe it's the completely the right thing to do. If it were me I wouldn't push them to either side, I would just make it absolutely clear that their opinions and choices should be decided upon by themselves and not at all influenced by others. Just encourage them to think on their own, whether they agree with the common opinions or not.

I'm not too sure that everyone can tell someone to make their own choice without influencing them in some way. Being impartial is super hard when almost everything has a connotation.

Anyway, sometimes (actually quite often) it's good to have opinions and choices influenced by others as if you don't take in multiple viewpoints and digest them yourself, you'd be making uninformed decisions. The skill to pick up is to recognize exactly how much to weight all the inputs (for example the doctor may know what's up about surgery unlike your best friend working at a tech company). Just don't get hypnotized by others or force your views on them.

Try talking to your dad seriously and tell him how you feel.

I know what kind of position you're in. My entire family is full of devout Catholics, and I decided my own beliefs rather than be forced to accept the one they wanted. Being the religious outcast of the family isn't ideal, but it's better than conforming to something because that's what they want you to believe. You and I are in the same boat, and I commend you for thinking for yourself.

Old fashioned people. Raised wrong by parents whose parents went through wars, scarred forever. Just have compassion and understanding for them. However you should talk to your brother and tell him not to listen to the father, listen, but don't take his words for anything. Else he'll end up like him. Bitter and what not. Religion is also one of the problems. Can't say more, might offend someone.

You really have to ignore your parents and not let them influence you. I would personally recommend not even attacking their views otherwise it will be hell to live with them. Wait until you are an adult and move out and don't interact with them as much

From: TomTuff
Calling something a "Chinese piece of crap" isn't really racist. I would say let things take their own course - trying to intervene will just make him think you're being overbearing. In this day and age, avoiding being exposed to culture is a difficult thing to do. Or maybe the same thing will happen to him that happened to me - he'll meet a girl who will straighten him out.

I agree with TomTuff.

Chinese products are notorious for being of lower quality than American-made products, this is due to the materials and cheap labor employed in the Chinese manufacturing process that makes them the number 1 exporter in the world.

Just relax and let your brother grow into who he wants to be, if you have an issue with something, point it out in a way that won't steer him in the opposite direction.

From: giavanni6
I agree with TomTuff.

Chinese products are notorious for being of lower quality than American-made products, this is due to the materials and cheap labor employed in the Chinese manufacturing process that makes them the number 1 exporter in the world.

Just relax and let your brother grow into who he wants to be, if you have an issue with something, point it out in a way that won't steer him in the opposite direction.

exactly, you can't expect someone to be politically correct and ignore the fact that most chinese goods are inferior b/c of their manufacturing styles..