Racist Statements and Responses

"Is this racist?"

You’re likely here because you want to become a better ally and are making efforts to be anti-racist. The information shared on this site may also provide people with an opportunity to self-reflect and consider how their own thoughts or statements may be racist.

View Statements & Responses

This tool provides examples of commonly used problematic statements you should be aware of. Click on each tile to learn more about why that particular statement reinforces racism, and find additional links or resources that provide helpful guidance on addressing these statements.

Racism is systemic, and often, racial bias is ingrained. We hope presenting statements and helping users of this tool understand why the statement is problematic, and how they may respond to the person who said it—whether the statement is subtly or overtly racist, will decrease incidences of racist statements.

It’s important to note that timing, power dynamic, and context will factor into whether you choose to call in or out racism. Each situation will be different. See our Critical Response Template for more about that situational context, and find an outline on how you might form your own responses to specific statements or scenarios that aren’t featured in the tool and elaborate on initial ideas suggested here.
“I’m not a racist. I have several X friends/family/significant other.”
Having friends, family members or a significant other who represents a specific ethnic background does not give you permission to make racist comments about that ethnic group, or absolve you from racism.
“Your English is actually pretty good.”
Although this statement seems like a compliment, it is actually a form of linguistic racism—discriminating against someone based on their accent or speech patterns. 
"Your name is so hard to pronounce."
Mispronouncing names is a form of implicit discrimination. "It sends a message that you are minimal, you are not important in this environment.” It can also perpetuate racist attitudes towards these groups. 
“Why are we being punished for something we didn’t even do?” (Reconciliation)
Everyone has a role to play in reconciliation, whether they played a direct role in the atrocities against Indigenous people or not. If you live in Canada and are not Indigenous, you are a settler who benefits from colonialism and reconciliation IS …
“I like exotic women.”
"I like exotic women" is a statement that perpetuates the fetishization of women of colour, which is dehumanizing and reduces women to and upholds harmful stereotypes.
“Jews are wealthy, greedy, and have too much power.”
The statement is not only racist but false. Jews are not monolithic. They do not act as one to advance a particular, unified agenda. These stereotypes and statements still lead to violence and murder of Jews.
“You look just like [name of other person of colour].”
To confuse someone for someone else, simply because they are both the same ethnicity, to say that people from a certain ethnicity “all look the same” is not only inaccurate, it’s offensive and racist.
“That was not my intent.”
This statement doesn’t make the racist statement that precedes it any better because although the person may not have intended to offend or hurt someone, it doesn’t mean that what was said wasn’t offensive or harmful—intent vs. impact.
"You're too sensitive / it’s just a joke."
This phrase ignores the reality that racism exists, is very real, very harmful, and has a lasting impact on those who experience it. If an individual is hurt or offended by racist remarks or actions, that’s completely valid. Racism is not a joke.
“Jewish losses during the Holocaust are exaggerated.”
There is a growing belief that the Holocaust—which saw the ideological and systematic approach to eradicating Jewish people—was exaggerated, or in some cases, misinformation that the Holocaust didn’t even happen. This is categorically untrue.
“You’re not like ‘other’ Indigenous people.”
While it may seem like a compliment to the person it’s said to, this statement casts a harmful stereotype and racist characterization of Indigenous people.
"All Lives Matter."
"All Lives Matter" in response to "Black Lives Matter" is a racist statement. It erases the racist and in many cases deadly experiences faced by Black people.
“You’re good at X because you’re X.”
To attribute a person’s ability based on their race strips them of their individual achievements and diminishes the value of their efforts. It’s a hurtful stereotype.
“You don’t look Indigenous.”
This type of remark is based on racist or stereotypical assumptions about how an Indigenous person should look according to the person who said it. Such a statement creates guilt, doubt, and insecurities around Indigenous identity, based on someone …
“Your food / X food smells weird, is gross, tastes funny, etc.”
When someone makes offensive comments around a type of food, they are sharing an unconscious belief that certain foods are inferior because of the ethnicity of the people who make and consume that food.

Responding to Racist Comments

We are not saying all people should call out all racist statements all the time—each situation is unique—but when more people feel confident and comfortable in speaking out, this can help reduce and eventually work to eliminate racism.

That is the goal of this tool. We want to help you feel confident enough to speak out and articulate why a statement is racist, and feel comfortable enough to have difficult, anti-racist conversations with friends, family, followers, and others in their lives who may be intentionally or unintentionally sharing racist views. We want those who have thought or said these statements to self-reflect on why these statements are problematic.

Educating and empowering more people to speak out against racism creates a space where those with racist views do not feel comfortable in sharing their views. It creates a space that holds racists accountable, and may eventually change the opinions of racists as well. And it—hopefully—works towards reducing racism in the community.

Suggest a Statement

What racist statement and potential response would you like to see included on this page?

View the Critical Response Template

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