After watching the videos and looking over the handouts I am starting to feel more confident having these tough conversations. I think that the videos really talked about power in numbers. I feel like that is a great help when you are having those conversations. It can be very difficult to try and change someone's views on the world, especially when they are negative. Being a cynic is the easiest way to live life, and usually cynics are the loudest. I listen to a podcast about leadership and one of their messages is "outlast the cynics." I find this relates to being and anti-racist because you are going to get the responses like, "it was just a joke," or, "I have friends that are _____ so it's okay." When you are an advocate and an ally and are willing to call people out you have to expect them to respond defensively and emotionally. Sometimes this response is very difficult to have a conversation, but you need to continue to listen to them and offer them suggestions as to how to improve. This of course becomes easier when you have others who are also allys.
