okay serious question. what are white people supposed to do when people with racist pasts apologize?? i know it’s 100% not my place to accept the apology or decide if they’ve changed but how am i supposed to deal with them? especially if it’s someone i previously liked?

is the answer just to not support them no matter what? even if they seem genuine in trying to be better?? obviously the apologies aren’t for me at all but like should they affect how i view these people?? or should i see people with racist pasts as vicious racists no matter what?

it’s really confusing when there are some black people saying they accept the apologies and others saying that these people are irredeemable. i don’t know how i’m supposed to react. and i hope it doesn’t seem like i’m making these apologies about me. but it’s just so confusing.

racism, in all forms, is inexcusable. but is it regressive to never let people grow from their worst mistakes?? i don’t understand how to move forward, as a white person, with like rehabilitation of people who were racist in the past but actively want to be better.

obviously, if someone commits a hate crime and is racist with no sign of any remorse, FUCK THEM! they don’t deserve forgiveness from anyone. but what’s the standard for like micro-aggressions and saying the n word and making bad racist jokes??

those things are NOT OKAY... but can people move forward and grow after realizing they’re wrong?? and what are white people supposed to do about public figures who apologize for those things when there are mixed messages about their forgiveness coming from black people?

i really hope this thread doesn’t come off as extremely ignorant or as sympathizing with racists because i don’t mean it like that!! i genuinely just don’t know how i’m supposed to proceed with this issue, as a white person. should i just shut the fuck up altogether?? probably!!!