"Racism 🧒🏿👧🏻 or Just Clueless? Why Most People Aren’t Racist—Just Wildly Ignorant" 🤷‍♀️

Phill Armstrong Ngitte Ebolo

27 Feb 2025 — 7 min read

Let’s be honest, in 2025 talking again about race is exhausting, but until we all get educated it is worth it. One minute, you’re casually minding your business, and the next, someone says, “I don’t see color,” or asks if they can touch your hair (which is funny and cute when it happens) or the big question "Where are you from, but more precisely which part of Africa are you from?"

Are they racist? Maybe. Are they ignorant? Absolutely.

The truth is, most people aren’t burning crosses in their backyard, they just don’t know any better and from my research, social media and TV are not the best teachers out there. And in a world where racial issues feel like an unsolvable Rubik’s Cube, it’s time for some real talk: How do we handle ignorance without losing our minds?

This article dives into the difference between racism and cluelessness (ignorance), how to handle awkward racial moments, and why education, not cancellation is the way forward. Plus, there’s a quiz to test your “racial awareness level.” Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Understanding the Difference—Racism vs. Ignorance 🧠

Not every weird racial moment is racism. Sometimes, it’s just plain old cluelessness. being called "Black" or "white" referring to someone black is not always racism. Here’s how to tell the difference:

🚶‍♂️Racism: The “I Know, and I Don’t Care” Type

Racism is intentional and often rooted in power, exclusion, and discrimination (Bonilla-Silva, 2017). Having the intention to be racist is different from saying something that might be interpreted as racism. Think:

Refusing to hire someone because of their race, difference and the fact they "do not belong here".
Making laws that specifically target minorities (immigration laws, no access to government benefits).
Believing certain races are superior. This is not something we can explain with words, it is a feeling that some minorities experience on a daily basis.
Excluding people purposefully because they do not look like you.

I remember sitting in a waiting room in a train station. I was in between two free seats and I noticed everyone avoided sitting next to me but either preferred standing or just strolling around. It is strange but you cannot always judge and bring back everything to racism.

Racism isn’t just about bad attitudes; it’s about systems and actions that maintain inequality.

🙇‍♂️2. Ignorance: The “Oops, My Bad” Type

Ignorance, on the other hand, is unintentional and mostly due to lack of exposure or education. Have you ever heard or said something like?:

Saying “Where are you really from?”
" How do you speak English so well?"
" Do you have potable water in Africa"?
"What brought you here"?
"Why is you nose so large?"
Thinking Africa is a country (seriously, why is this still a thing?). Africa is much more bigger than what people can imagine.
Assuming someone speaks a certain language because of their race.

⚖🤷‍♀️Why Ignorance is More Common Than Racism

Studies show that many racial biases aren’t based on hate, but on lack of interaction (Dovidio et al., 2017). In fact, 63% of white Americans have few or no non-white friends (PRRI, 2019). On the other side, most Africans think all whites are racist hence they do not tend to break the gap. It is a lot of fear and ignorance that sets the perfect ground to fuel hate crimes and racism. Cultural differences are so different that people think that the difference is just because of the skin colour, accent or anything that makes you feel different (superior or inferior).

Translation? Most People just don’t know what they don’t know. And if they do not learn are are not taught, then the same ignorance will be transmitted to their kids. The cycle will never end.

Take the Quiz: Are You Racially Clueless?

How do you score on racial awareness? Answer honestly:

Have you ever said “I don’t see color” or "avoiding calling someone black thinking it was a compliment?
Have you assumed someone’s nationality based on their appearance?
Have you ever been “surprised” at how “articulate” a minority is?
Have you ever touched someone’s hair or asked invasive cultural questions?
Have you ever used the phrase “But I have Black friends” as a defense?

Results:

0-1 Yes: You’re pretty aware—congrats!
2-3 Yes: You might have some blind spots—time to learn.
4-5 Yes: My friend, we need to talk. We are not all from Nigeria 😂

🧠☯Step 2: Managing Racial Ignorance Without Losing Your Mind

1. Call In, Not Out

Instead of publicly shaming people (“You’re a racist!”), try educating them. Studies show that people learn better through discussion, not humiliation (Sue et al., 2009). Do not assume someone said something inappropriate they meant to hurt you. Just that many do really not know what to say to someone coming from a different part of the continent.

I remember a friend once asked me if we all built our houses in mud😂. That was hilarious. But it was a good question and we had a nice discussion about that.

✔️ Do: Say, “Hey, that comment is based on a stereotype—here’s why.”
❌ Don’t: Yell, “You’re the reason racism exists!” (Even if it feels justified.)

😂2. Humor Works Better Than Anger

Research shows humor reduces defensiveness and makes people more open to change (Nabi et al., 2007). I call it sarcasm and it needs some open minded spirits to get that without being offended. Try to understand the tone and the person talking to you with the aim of breaking stereotypes in a funny way.

Example:
🗣️ “So, where are you really from?”
🤣 “Earth. But I hear Mars has great real estate.”

🗣 "Africans are really amazing people. Do you also speak African apart from English?

😂" Yeah and I am learning to speak European, Asian, American and if tomorrow i feel good maybe I will learn Australian".

📜3. Exposure is Everything

People fear what they don’t know. The best way to fight ignorance? Encourage cross-cultural experiences. Enable people to learn when it is possible and also learn from other cultures without making it a big issue. It is just about respect, dignity and equity.

✔️ Do: Suggest diverse movies, books, or events. Not George of the Jungle though 😂
❌ Don’t: Expect them to just “figure it out” on their own. It is not because you are a minority that you must feel everybody will understand. Also try to enlighten them without you too having stereotypes.

Canceling someone over an ignorant comment won’t fix racism. Real change happens in policies, not Twitter fights. On the other hand social media can really portray a negative image of racial awareness. It can also be a powerful tool to help people change their minds.

⚖1. Fix the System, Not Just the People

Ignorant individuals exist everywhere, but racial inequality is built into systems (Alexander, 2010). Targeting minorities and making it normal will just encourage citizens to behave in such a way. Policies aim to fight, educate and punish those who ten to encourage hate crime based and race, gender, sexuality etc.

Example:
🚫 Bad: “Let’s cancel this guy for his dumb tweet.”
✅ Better: “Let’s push for policies that ensure racial equity.”

👨🏾‍🏫2. Support Education Over Shaming

Did you know teaching Black history reduces racial bias in students? (Ladson-Billings, 1998). Never be afraid to talk about black history when necessary. It should not be in a pub having drinks with people drunk everywhere but when necessary to make people aware enough about these issues.

Instead of canceling, advocate for better racial education in schools and workplaces. Do not be afraid to talk about racism or racial inequalities. The fear of tackling such questions creates more ignorance and enforces even better stereotypes.

Final Thought: Nobody Was Born Woke

Here’s the thing—most people aren’t intentionally racist; they’re just learning. And while it’s not our job to educate everyone, handling ignorance with patience, humor, and discussion is far more effective than outrage.

At the end of the day, progress isn’t about who can call out racism the loudest, it’s about who’s willing to listen, learn, and change.

💬 What’s the most ridiculous racial comment you’ve ever heard? Let’s talk.

Fun fact: I was in this barbershop to get my hair done. I met one of the barbers who told me to wait another one, while smiling. Without any issue I said I am okay. The next barber then came in and started shaving my hear. He then told me that the other barber refused to shave me because he once did that to another black guy but the guy refused to pay because he assumed his hair was not well done. Ever since the other barber said he will not shave black guys any more. That felt really strange to me and I was literally shocked because a whole race has been backlisted because of one situation.

References

Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.
Bonilla-Silva, E. (2017). Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America.
Dovidio, J. F., et al. (2017). Reducing racial bias through intergroup contact. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 575-608.
Ladson-Billings, G. (1998). Just what is critical race theory? International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 11(1), 7-24.
Nabi, R. L., et al. (2007). The persuasive power of humor. Communication Monographs, 74(1), 29-54.
PRRI (2019). American Racial Attitudes Survey Report.
Sue, D. W., et al. (2009). Racial microaggressions in everyday life. American Psychologist, 64(3), 271-286.