Is it normal that im tolerating bigotry since the speaker is special needs?

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9 Comments

At my school, there's this kid who's special needs. I'm not exaggerating or anything, he literally is.

Anyways, he always says a bunch of bigoted stuff. Racist stuff, sexist stuff, classist stuff, you name it. A lot of my classmates get offended at all that stuff, but I keep my cool, because I know he's got special needs. Plus, I kinda feel bad for him because he doesn't have much friends.

It is right for me to be tolerating him?

(Disclaimer: I am not racist, sexist, or classist. I'm just tolerating racism, sexism and classism from someone who is.)

Voting Results
18% Normal
Based on 11 votes (2 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • bleedingdiarhea
    4 years ago | pl

    Special needs does not mean he is exempt from moral or ethical standards.

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    • CountessDouche
      4 years ago

      Blazam. Upvoting everybody up in here.

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  • Suckyournan
    4 years ago | pl

    Nothing - mental disability, skin colour, sexual orientation, nationality, any of the other -isms in waiting - should exempt anyone from being labelled as a bigot for saying bigoted stuff, unless it's objectively a joke, and the intent is to evoke laughter.

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    • CountessDouche
      4 years ago

      Blammo upvote.

      This & "special needs" is an umbrella term these days. It doesnt mean he is incapable of understanding.

      Just be patient & explain to him why this is hurtful & wrong. He'll most likely be able to understand you just fine.

      Maybe he's just a dick tho lol

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      4 years ago

      honestly I don't know if he's serious, or if he's just really commited to a joke. kinda hard to tell with him, he's got the kind of voice that makes it impossible to tell if he's serious or not.

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  • Croissant
    4 years ago

    If he has the mental capacity to say these things he has the mental capacity to learn they are hurtful. It’s great that you keep your cool and I think calmly pointing out that you don’t agree or that those things are unfair or cruel could really help this guy learn to be better

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  • [Old Memory]
    4 years ago

    Normal for you to keep cool about it, but that doesn't mean that he's not responsible for his behavior.

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  • Boojum
    4 years ago

    As others have said, there's no valid excuse for behaving as the guy does.

    Maybe he has problems understanding why what he says is unacceptable and if he is lacking in intellect, it might be difficult for him to grasp the more subtle points of social interaction. However, I suspect he might get the message that you don't approve of what he's saying if you just walk away or ignore him when he starts spouting crap. If you tolerate him saying stuff that you'd find offensive coming from anyone else, it would be understandable if he believes this means you approve.

    Your desire to be friendly towards this guy is laudable, but the cosmos has not assigned you that job, and you're actually doing him no favours by accepting his behaviour.

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  • eageali
    4 years ago

    I think it's normal for you to do that, but I certainly wouldn't. His loneliness would not be my responsibility

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