Calling out racists is actually good for your health, according to science. Here’s how to do it.
By Allison Klein
Reports that an exasperated President Donald Trump had referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries” during a meeting with lawmakers last week over immigration prompted widespread condemnation. The leaders of many nations demanded that he apologize.
But what reportedly happened in that room in that moment was a high-stakes version of a dilemma faced by anyone who has heard a friend, a family member or even a stranger say something racist or objectionable: remain silent or speak up in that moment? And if opting for the latter, how to do it?
It may be easier to say nothing, but experts say it’s critical to speak out in that moment — whether the offensive remarks come from the leader of the free world or from a distant cousin at a family dinner.
“Either you call them out or you participate in the insult,” said Joan Williams, a law professor at University of California at Hastings who studies workplace interaction and is the founding director of the university’s Center for WorkLife Law.
She said it’s important for both politicians and regular citizens to stand up against hateful language the moment they hear it…
