Racism. Scenario 1 of 14. Group chats

The meme

Your friend Jack posts a meme in a group chat of eight people. It is a joke built on a racist stereotype about Black people. Three people reply with laughing emojis.

Kwame, who is Black, is in the chat. He has read it and has not replied.

What is the best call?

Add a laughing emoji. It is only a joke, and you do not want to make it awkward.

Not the best call

Each emoji tells Kwame that one more person in the chat finds a joke about people like him funny. It is already awkward for him. Joining in is not staying neutral.

Say nothing in the chat.

Could be better

You have not added to it, which counts for something. But from where Kwame sits, silence and laughter look much the same. He is the one being joked about, and nobody has objected.

Reply in the chat. "Not funny, Jack. That's a racist stereotype." Then message Kwame to check in.

Good call

One short line is enough to change the room, and others often agree once someone has said it. A private message to Kwame tells him he was not alone in there. Ask how he is, not what you should do.

Message Kwame privately to say you thought it was out of order, but say nothing in the group.

Could be better

Kwame will be glad to hear it. But the group still thinks the joke went down well, and Jack will post another. Kwame should not be the only one who knows you disagreed.

The principle

A racist joke in a group chat is a test of everyone in it. Saying "not funny" out loud, once, does more than any amount of private sympathy.

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