b88

Since Covid started I used to get the occasional racist comments thrown my way. I shrugged it off and went about my business. Even the president of the US can endorse such behavoir, how are you going to blame the common folks. But now there is not a cycling day that goes by where I encounter racist/hate comments. 90% of the people ranting out this abuse are older people of caucasian descent. Yesterday on the trails, a senior white couple yelled out at me, "Get the hell out of here". Where exactly am I to go. I was born in this country. I never been to China.

Troul 

Best to report it to your local law enforcement. Write a letter to your state officials.

freeranger

Sorry to hear that's happening to you, or anyone. Stupidity takes all forms.

BNSF

Is this what you mean? There are no days where you hear racist comments?

RGMN

I tell them I'll leave when they leave. It usually leaves them befuddled. And they usually aren't smart enough to figure it out.

Koyote

Even if this were true (which it's not), it wouldn't justify racism.

Hell, I'm not even sure that there ARE "racial slurs" for white people...None that compare with words that are routinely thrown at (and about) non-whites.

b88

Yes, I didn't proof read b4 posting. Thanks.

bikecrate

Sorry to hear about your experience. Sadly, it will probably get worse before it get better since it is in certain political interest to find scapegoats right now...but it will get better.

icemilkcoffee 

That's horrible. Where do you live that this is happening on a daily basis?
Of course, the irony is you cannot 'go back to China' because they don't allow American travelers into China right now. They have beaten the coronavirus. The US is the hot spot right now.

79pmooney

b88, we are getting to see the underbelly of this democracy out in the light. The good thing is that it is out in the light and being seen. What sucks is that it is also being experinced by people like you openly like many of have never seen before.

I say "good thing" because until something is seen clearly and talked about, it never changes. This administration is bring our core racism, solidly planted deep in our Constitution out in the light. Assuming we make it the next 20 years, we will be looking back at this time as being as big a healing and unifying force as the Depression and WW2. Civil Rights. But the process sucks. I"m sorry you got to see it.

Ben

FlMTNdude

It has to be difficult on the receiving end, I am sorry you have to deal with it. My wife and I are Anglo; our families (and friends as well) include Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and Mexican. I just cringe when people say things like that, and wonder if they would say that to or around me if my grandchildren were with me. Last I knew my family was all human.

moleman123

Lets hope Trump is a loser soon and we get a proper President again who seeks to unite rather than divide.

boilermaker1

I can't even identify Armenians and Israelis, much less hassle them.

shelbyfv

Assuming you weren't cycling on a hiking-only trail, the correct response would have been "OK Boomer...."

RGMN

I used to think ignoring it would help. It doesn't, it only solidifies a racist's beliefs.

The funny thing is, and it's only taken me about 50 years to learn this, is that, as a racial minority, I have extraordinary power over people that make comments like this. I get to be me and frighten the hell out them simply by being me. I live rent-free in their head, scaring them every time they turn a corner and encounter "one of us." They are much more frightened of you than you ever will be of them. Use it to your advantage. I once made a guy piss in his pants because I walked out the restroom as he was walking in, and he wouldn't use the same facilities as one of "those people." Served him right.

Gconan

I cannot believe people are blaming this on the President. The President has nothing to do with it. Those are low down political shots. Blame, blame, blame the President. Sounds kinda dumb. Doesn't matter who is the president, same comments would have happened.

To the original poster why let it bother you? You could have responded by saying "why"? You could have engaged them in conversation and given good answers to their ignorance. They would realize they were being stupid. Don't let them bother you, you are the better person.

MattTheHat 

Oh I don’t know, maybe because having racist comments thrown at you sucks?

Yes, stopping to talk to the racists will cure them. Sure. Have you not seen all the viral Karen videos? Did the Karens seem to magically become educated?

To the OP, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this. I can only hope that it’s only a tiny minority of people that are truly that stupid.

fietsbob

As a country built by Immigrants there is a sad history and a habit of pitting one group against the other..
saying anything more this should be moved to P&R . https://www.bikeforums.net/politics-religion

Koyote

Actually, there have been several news articles (in reputable outlets) noting that Trump's repeated use of the term "China Virus" and other disparaging comments about China have encouraged racism towards Asians...Many experts have confirmed this conclusion. Here is a link to one such article that does not have a paywall.

spelger

I do wish he would shut the heck up at times. But really, naming a virus after its first discovery is not out of the ordinary. Lyme disease, Ebola, west Nile come to mind. Sure there are others.

spelger

I'll add that I have heard the term wuhan flu which sounds like an intentional dig. Because we are made up from so many people's I often wonder if harmony will ever get here.

shelbyfv

Kind of ironic that someone with "88" in his user name would complain about racism.... https://www.adl.org/education/refere...ymbols/88:foo:

Koyote

There are some pretty obvious differences between Trump’s use of the term “China virus” and those other examples...For example, Trump uses that term to deflect blame for his own utter failures to respond to the pandemic.

Besides, it’s actually called “Coronavirus.”

scott967

So is a racist comment. OK got it. How about "Get off the road effing (hawaian word commonly directed at Caucasians but is banned here)"

scott s.
.

downhillmaster

cool story bro.