"That awkward moment when I realized my white “liberal” friends were racists"

[marym625]

24. K&R!

It is amazing what people say when they don't realize the people around them will be disgusted with their racism and/or bigotry.

I worked with someone who came into the company a year after I did at a C level position (him I mean.) He was constantly making horrible "jokes" and comments about homosexuals. I was not out at the time and he just had no problem saying these things in front of me and others. Each time he said something I voiced my objections. After a few days of this I said, "you really should stop this. Besides how disgusting it is, there are quite a few gay people in this company." His reply was, "well they better stay out of my office " To which the others in the room responded to with laughter.

After a week, I came out to him. He turned about 20 shades of red and, after saying, "I didn't know that" (no shit!) he apologized. For the next 5 years, he kept a civil tongue in front of me. At least most of the time.

In hindsight, I really regret not reporting him. I feared for my job and I wasn't out at my work. One of my biggest regrets.

Being the overgrown, aging, frat boy that he is, I can't believe he didn't say horribly racist things to his buddies. Just was smart enough to keep that to himself at work.