Tonight, at the grocery store, my husband and I saw two skinheads (early 20’s, male, iron cross/Neo-nazi tattoos) buying beer. They were behind us at the check-out and immediately started spouting racist propaganda, in low tones. I had this paranoid notion that they were attempting to provoke me as I’ve been told that I “look Jewish,” whatever that means. On the other hand, they may just enjoy freaking out innocent people in grocery store lines. When they started up, I immediately prickled, but did not feel compelled to turn around and lecture them as I am not interested in confronting and debating people driven by illogical hatred, nor did I want to be beaten or shot in the parking lot by them or a group of their friends. My husband, though a big guy, is also non-confrontational and non-violent, and didn’t consider these miscreants worthy of reaction.
I’m certain ignoring them was the best course of action, but on further reflection, I believe others may have thrown self-preservation to the wind and kicked skinhead ass. I’m curious what other people would have done in this situation.
I probably would have ignored them too, as much as I would have loved to kick some ass. I used to get into a lot of trouble in bars when I was younger and usually drunk off my ass. Now I’m older and more sober I would have been cautious, like you.
They probably wanted to get a rise out of you; you didn’t give it to them. Good for you.
In the grocery store, I would have ignored them. Like you said, its not worth it, who knows what will happen.
That said, I’ve been to punk and hardcore concerts where racist skins were starting fights with people for the simple fact that we weren’t racist skins like they were. They got severe ass kickings. Pretty nasty fights, but it was the only way to keep the majority of the bands and concert goers safe in the long run.
Like the others said, it was best to ignore them. It’s not worth your time and trouble to get in a confrontation with those jerks in the middle of the store.
Real quick point: Skinheads and Neo-Nazi’s are two COMEPLETELY different subcultures. Skinheads have been around for a while now, and the neo-Nazi movement picked up on that, but PLEASE, do not get the two confused. Most skinheads would kick the shit out of a neo-Nazi without a second thought. They are not one in the same, so if you’re talking about a neo-Nazi skinhead, just call him a neo-Nazi, and leave it at that (or at least include that little fact). Skinheads are actually a really good group of people focused around family and community amongst the working class. Noe-Nazi’s are shit heads. I know a couple of gay skinheads if that helps to illustrate the fact that they’re not all fucking bigots, and there are skinheads of other races as well. So please, again, don’t confuse the two.
That being said, ignoring them is the best way to handle the situation unless their attacks start becominig blatantly directed at you. Our society is a very non-confrontational one, and that’s the best way to deal with it. A lot of people have issues with others for no reason, and feel so secure about it that they don’t feel they have to hide it in public. Growing up in New Orleans, LA, I had a lot of friends who, for no reason, would get upset because of all the Ns at the grocery store. There, I said something, because I knew the people and thier reasoning was stupid. If someone behind me just started up about it, but not speaking to me, well, you know what, it is a free country and they’re allowed to do that shit. Oh well. But if they start specifically targeting you, then it’s your right to step in and knock some sense into them. Until it gets to that point though, just let it slide. If they are trying to provoke you, best not to give them the satisfaction of knowing they ruined your day.
Another vote for ignoring them unless they directly confront you. If they do, let them know you’re not shocked at all. It’ll probably disappoint them.
Here’s an example.
About a year ago, I stopped off for a quick bite in a McDonald’s in a small town I know. I was dressed in business clothes, and probably looked hopelessly mundane and middle class. There was a kid with green-spiked hair which, in that town, was a lo-o-ong way from normal. About half way through my dinner, I heard someone say “What are you looking at?” in a rather confrontational tone. I looked up to see what was going on and if anyone was hassling the kid.
He looked at me and said, “Does my appearance shock you?”
I just said, “Nah. You should see what I wear on weekends,” and went back to my meal. I probably ruined the kid’s day.
IIRC, there’s a group called SHARP, for Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice.
As for the OP, I would have tried to out-offend the little nazi twits. Perhaps something like, “Honey, how about another abortion next week?”, or something about crashing planes into buildings being an honorable pastime. Then again, my fiancee often accuses me of being a bit too passive agressive. . .
Better off ignoring them. The last time I didn’t ignore two skinhead scum I ending up beaten up and thrown into a river. What jolly japes they enjoy :rolleyes:
Amusing note: My roommate Wyldkard has a shaved head and a septum piercing and often sports fatigues. He’s been approached by neo-Nazi “recruiters” on one or two occasions. He usually manages to walk away without letting on that he’s a Jewish-descended bisexual. :rolleyes:
Ignoring them is probably best. Although I don’t always do what’s best. I tend to get stupid when irritated. (I’m also 6-2 225, so I don’t always pay for my mistakes)
To sort of expand on what El Elvis Rojo said there is actually a segment of punks who are are very ANTI racism, sexism, drugs, alcohol, etc… and for someone who is not familiar with all of the signs they might seem to be neo-nazi or what have you. Please don’t assume that just because someone has a shaved head and wears fatigues they are racist. With that said you definitely had all the clues you needed to know these guys were trouble.
I’m a tattoo artist, so I’ve delt with hundreds of these types. I’ve yet to meet one that had anything going for himself. They were all pissed off that some Black man had a better looking girlfriend or better paying job or a nicer car or whatever. They thought that they should have stuff that was at least as cool as what this Black man had and they shouldn’t have to work for it.
I’ll give them nazi tattoos or whatever they want. It’s not my job to pick out their tattoo, my job is to put it on the best I can. Sometimes they think I’m on their side and I’ll have to set them straight. They never argue with me when I’m holding the needle.
I don’t think all guys with shaved heads and body art are skinheads, so I don’t call them skinheads. My kid used to sport that look, and he’s very anti-racism, anti-neo-nazi…but I never thought he could be confused with a skinhead. I thought skinheads wore “the uniform”, i.e., swastika, skull&crossbones, the shitkickin’ boots, et al. If I saw a guy with the clothing and the shaved head and tats, I would lable HIM a skinhead. By the way, I often asked my son why he would want to look like someone who could be mistaken for a skinhead. He just thought he looked cool, I guess. WWRRROOONNNGGGG!!!
On the topic of skinheads, I realize there are differing subcultures within a subculture and not all skinheads are racist. That said, I know a bit about the skinhead movement (having been involved in the ska scene) and initially, skinheads were a bit less tolerant than you realize. Chauvinistic and racist attitudes common among the working class paired with a propensity toward violent behavior resulted in a segment of the skinhead population taking part in the bashing of Asian immagrants in Britain in the 70’s. Those characteristics eventually gave rise to the Neo-Nazi subculture. I don’t fault traditional, non-racist skinheads for the creation of Neo-nazi skinheads, but any subculture that cultivates a menacing, violent aura definately ensures less savory followers.
[quote]
I thought skinheads wore “the uniform”, i.e., swastika, skull&crossbones, the shitkickin’ boots, et al. If I saw a guy with the clothing and the shaved head and tats, I would lable HIM a skinhead. By the way, I often asked my son why he would want to look like someone who could be mistaken for a skinhead. He just thought he looked cool, I guess. WWRRROOONNNGGGG!!![/qupte]
Differing groups have specific symbols that they wear that differentiate themselves from other groups (shoelace colors, tatoos, patches, etc). My skinheads were obviously racist ones, with the iron cross/three-bladed swastika tattoos and the nasty behavior, but I suppose if you are savvy enough, you can pick out the racist from the non-racist ones. I also wouldn’t give my children encouragement to conform to a particular subculture’s aesthetic, but I view all efforts for conformity to be sad, regardless of orientation.
Thanks for the interesting replies! I’m surprised most people would be equally cautious.
"I also wouldn’t give my children encouragement to conform to a particular subculture’s aesthetic, but I view all efforts for conformity to be sad, regardless of orientation. "
I didn’t encourage it, but I also didn’t lock him in the cellar for 4 years either.
