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Culture & Heritage

How to Tell a White Friend They Said Something Racist

A script for hard conversations with white friends.

Pause

You don't have to respond in the moment. "Let me come back to that" buys you time to gather yourself.

Name it specifically

"When you said X, this is what landed for me." Specific is harder to dodge than general.

Give them a chance

Pause. Let them respond. Most close white friends will get defensive first, then process, then apologize within 24–72 hours.

Decide your stakes

Some friendships survive these conversations and grow stronger. Some don't. Know what you're willing to lose before you start.

Shared by @blackwiki · June 5, 2026

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