6 Ways A Black Person Can Tell A White Person Isn’t Racist

Black people can detect racists from a mile off. It’s the way they look at us — it’s often a look of disgust, deep hatred, or fear, and it shows. The minute we approach you, we can feel it — call it our sixth sense or survival instinct.

Because we can feel that racism, we know we have to keep our guard up lest you try to harm us. There are of course some white people that have perfected the art of hiding their racism: closet racists. Sometimes we don’t spot those soon, but it’s a matter of time — when and not if — they’ll make a crucial mistake that will lay bare their ugly, racist, selves.

I’m no expert in sniffing out racists— I’ll admit it here, I’ve been tricked many a time. But one thing I’ve learned is that they will always, always show their true selves at one point. Sometimes maybe even years after you’ve met them and actually consider them your friends.

This was the case with a white lady I worked with for many years. I was shocked at the derogatory comments she made about an Asian girl that I hired. It blew me away. This white lady went out of her way to spread the crassest rumors about my direct report based on sex-related stereotypes about Asian women. It was appalling.