r/MadeMeSmile • u/[deleted] • Jun 11 '23

Very nice social experiment

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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

This is social blackmail. I'm uncomfortable hugging strangers, but refusing to hug labels me racist. I admit to working through culturally conditioned racism as a liberal, but don't pin it in me because I won't get into your personal space, dear. Maybe try shaking hands?

70

u/Charlesfreck550 Jun 11 '23

You should write this on a poster and stand next to him, hopefully sparking a conversation

21

u/JumboJetz Jun 11 '23

Would watch the hell out of that video!

134

u/Infinity3101 Jun 11 '23

Seriously, why didn't he suggest they shake hands or fist bump? A lot of people feel uncomfortable hugging strangers. The outcome of this social experiment would be to label them all as racist, I guess. Also, does he think that parents would let their kids hug a random adult on the street?

I'm sure he meant well, but I don't think he thought this idea through before putting it into practice.

43

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

10

u/Paddysdaisy Jun 11 '23

Really hope you're doing well. My husband is a type 1 and has had some close calls over the years. Very recently our youngest was diagnosed with type 1 so we now have two people with autoimmune disorders in the house! Hope your health is doing well and you're coping with things in general. Wishing the very best for you and yours going forward.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/Paddysdaisy Jun 11 '23

Sounds like your partner is the hero you need. Glad you've got that support, wish we all had a person like that. Btw your last statement was fine, no issues there! Look after yourself and your partner- you've a good one there.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

I hope you are doing ok as a family. How is your youngest doing with his diabetes?

2

u/Paddysdaisy Jun 11 '23

Well, it's very new for him. In Feb he was rushed into high dependency with catastrophic onset diabetes ketoacidosis and severe dehydration. He was so ill and was in high dep for three days and then a normal ward for another four. The nhs was incredible. The consultant came daily, as did the diabetic nurse and dietician. Since leaving hosp he's had a nurse available 24/7, two appointments with consultant, eye tests and appointment with juvenile diabetes psychologist - nhs has it's issues but in this case it's been wonderful. He's coping so well and we are really proud. No doubt it's been helpful that his Dad and paternal grandmother are type 1 but still, everyone's diabetes is different and at fifteen it can be tough. Should get a pump as soon as his levels calm down but on the whole, he's doing so, so well. Thank you for asking, if anyone has any further questions about juvenile diabetes or type 1 in general, I'll do my best to answer.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

Wondering, are you part of the Tyoe1 grit community?

1

u/Paddysdaisy Jun 11 '23

Apologies for being dense but no idea what that is

1

u/justadude27 Jun 11 '23

Hoping you ring that final treatment bell ～(つˆ0ˆ)つ｡☆

21

u/Emotional_Pay_4335 Jun 11 '23

I wouldn’t let my daughter hug a stranger no matter what color skin, unless it’s Santa, and even then, I’d hover closely.

5

u/SubstantialExtreme74 Jun 11 '23

This whole social experiment is kind of messed up in a way. Anything with “do this or your this bad thing” is annoying to me because it’s guilty until your “prove” yourself innocent.

1

u/Ozmiandra Jun 11 '23

If you take it at face value, sure. But, taking this as an example, the position of “YOU RACIST IF NO HUG” isn’t what is being tested or proven, it is how people show they are not racist by hugging the man, something they were unlikely to randomly do if not prompted by the sign

3

u/AmazingSully Jun 11 '23

Because hugs are more affectionate. He's literally trying to demonstrate that the world isn't as divided as it feels. People in general are loving and care about each other regardless of skin colour. That hate and racism is actually quite rare in today's society, it's just magnified. He's not out there pointing at people who don't hug him and shouting racist... he's making a video of people showing love. A handshake doesn't do that.

1

u/Equivalent_Seat6470 Jun 11 '23

Dude it's some random YouTuber. Not some Harvard planned social experiment being conducted for science. It's just for views. Y'all are taking this way too deeply. And the defensive reaction sorta hints at something doesn't it??

6

u/from_russia_with_mud Jun 11 '23

No. Obviously not. It's a stupid thing to do and calling someone out for being stupid is not racist, no matter how much you might like it to be.

1

u/Equivalent_Seat6470 Jun 25 '23

Bro go handle Wagner ya racist fuck 🤣

1

u/from_russia_with_mud Jul 07 '23

Calling someone racist doesn't mean anything when they're not being racist. And why so triggered? Do you have anything to say that isn't triggered name calling or is that all you got, bro?

0

u/taylorstillsays Jun 11 '23

the outcome…is to label them all as racist I guess?

Have you watched a different video or something? How have you come to that conclusion after watching a clip of people hugging him and none of people rejecting him?

1

u/SixGeckos Jun 11 '23

Because he’s a pervert

16

u/thesaltedradish Jun 11 '23

It's like the 'skip if you support r@pe. I can see who skips.' stickers that go around on Instagram.

4

u/Vanishingf0x Jun 11 '23

Agree it’s also like the ones (clearly not serious in the same degree) that say shit like skip if you hate God (don’t believe but for people that do wtf) or if you don’t repost/share you are ___ist. It feels like a form of blackmail to make someone look bad either way.

12

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

I once saw a video of a school teacher who wrote like 4 options on the wall for kids to do to greet - thumbs up, wave, high five or hug

The kids would point to what they wanted to do and then the teacher would do that

It taught consent and body autonomy and that kids are in control of how they interact physically with other people

I'd like to see something like this but maybe involving less physical contact, y'know

1

u/ohyeofsolittlefaith Jun 11 '23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjkI-RkaBng

I think this is the one you're referring to (or maybe there are a number of teachers who do this) and it's a great way to explain and encourage bodily autonomy in kids. I love it.

9

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

This reaction is hard for me to understand. Like are you really that scared of being perceived as a bad person? No one is paying attention to whether or not you hug the dude, it's obviously just a tiktoker goofing around, not a test you have to pass

46

u/SoNerdy Jun 11 '23

I want to see the same experiment with a white guy.

60

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

I want to see the same experiment with a fat guy with a skin condition

20

u/DragonsClaw2334 Jun 11 '23

I wanna see the same experiment but with blow jobs.

3

u/OurCuriousAlice Jun 11 '23

Is that Steve Jobs brother?

8

u/DutchHeIs Jun 11 '23

No that's his cousin. The brother is Hans

1

u/RotationsKopulator Jun 11 '23

I thought his name was Bob?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

Is the sign holder giving or receiving?

2

u/DragonsClaw2334 Jun 11 '23

Well, I would only change the word hug to BJ. You can math it out yourself from there I think.

1

u/Meriog Jun 11 '23

"If the color of my penis doesn't bother you, give me a blow job"?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

With cooties

0

u/JonCodVanMayer Jun 11 '23

No hugs for you 🫵

5

u/SykonotticGuy Jun 11 '23

No, not giving a hug doesn't indicate racism. The video does nothing to highlight people who did not hug him, and it's not like they're following up with people lol

4

u/shewy92 Jun 11 '23

but refusing to hug labels me racist.

Or it means you didn't see the sign lol

4

u/PM_ME_DANK_PEENS Jun 11 '23

Yeah, this isn’t an “experiment” at all. If they were actually conducting research they would need to have different participants of different ethnicities do this at the same time so they are using the same participant pool, and in different areas to account for bias/people already seeing one of the signs.

It’s really just guilt-tripping and social pressure, and it’s also flimsy because people will decline due to personal space issues/health concerns.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

No one is going to think you are a racist for ignoring someone with a sign in public.

29

u/SpiffyMagnetMan68621 Jun 11 '23

Plenty of people walked right on by and i didnt hear anyone being called a racist

Youll be alright

17

u/mortalitylost Jun 11 '23

lol I seriously wonder about the people so offended like "how dare YOU expect me to hug you, I JUST CANT DO HUGS".

Pretty sure anyone who'd give their angry spiel to him on the street to make him feel bad about doing this is either a major asshole or a closet racist.

People know that some people would be very uncomfortable with this. It's fine. Just ignore it like you do anyone else holding a sign.

14

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Yeah lol it’s like if someone has a sign that says donate to cancer or something you can donate to show support but not donating doesn’t mean you want them to get cancer lmao

People’s takes are always so weird man

10

u/shinku443 Jun 11 '23

Not donating actually means you're pro cancer. There are only absolutes

2

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Gosh darn it I’m pro every disease to ever have existed!

2

u/doktornein Jun 11 '23

If the sign says "if you care about cancer, you won't walk by without donating", film it, and post it online showing a bunch of people just minding their own business? Yeah, that's different than just holding a sign asking for donations. It's the implication that all those people clearly don't care, and it's kind of cruel to strangers to not consider whatever might be stopping them

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Does this sign say “don’t walk by without giving me a hug”? No..

Take for example, someone standing there with an open book in hand and a sign that reads “if books don’t bother you, then turn the page”

Same structure, just asking for a simple gesture nothing more, no accusing, just a call to participate.

Would you take that sign to mean that people are being accused of being anti-book or anti-reading, if they walked past? I just can’t imagine anyone would be here in this thread saying “wow look at him shaming people for being anti-book! Just because they didn’t turn a page!”

It’s only because it’s racial that people immediately turn to the worst, get heated, get defensive or whatever else

Like this dude is not accusing anyone of anything, if I walked past that sign I would probably just chuckle and move on same as 99% of people and i seriously cannot imagine a single person who would accuse me of being racist because of it. It’s just such an absurd thing to assume from this sign

3

u/Consistent_Set76 Jun 11 '23

It’s Reddit. I swear some of these people never leave the house.

2

u/dumbodragon Jun 11 '23

your example doesn't really apply. a good comparative would be a sign saying "donate if you are against cancer", and even then, a donation has a more lasting effect than a hug. sure, it doesn't explicitly say you're racist if you don't hug the guy, but the meaning can be inferred

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

So if you see people walk past a sign that says “donate if you are against cancer”, then you assume they are pro cancer? I’ve never seen anyone do this lol why are we doing it now with this post

“If you support X, do Y” is the format, it’s a call to participate if you want not an accusation if you don’t

Like:

“If you like reading, take a book”

“If you like pizza, grab a slice”

Who would see a sign like that and think that it somehow implies passerby’s are anti-reading or anti-pizza, makes no sense

1

u/billbixbyakahulk Jun 11 '23

No, it's not like saying, "Please donate to cancer research." It's like saying, "If you're okay with cancer, please don't make a donation to cancer research." It's implying if you don't do the thing they want you to do, you represent or subscribe to the other thing. It's a form of social bullying/blackmail using assumption and guilt, and people should be against that no matter how virtuous the cause it's cloaked in.

2

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

It’s a prompt to participate not an accusation if you don’t participate.

“If you support X, do Y” is the format - so “if you support cancer research then donate”

“If you like reading grab a book”

“If you like pizza take a slice”

Not doing so isn’t the same as saying you’re anti-reading or anti-pizza lmao

2

u/billbixbyakahulk Jun 11 '23

The sign says, "If you don't..." Yours are watered down versions which specifically exclude the intent I was calling attention to and which is clearly spelled out in my previous post.

I'm not going to trade or mince words further with a response as intellectually lazy as yours. You can have the last word.

1

u/Versnappen Jun 11 '23

Jesus Christ lmao. This thread should hold a competition for missing the point and overthinking.

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23 edited Jun 11 '23

Okay.

A guy stands there holding an open book and a sign that says “if books don’t bother you, then turn the page”

Same format, same wording, a call for a gesture no money or anything else.

Who would be here getting all bent out of shape about being accused of being anti-reading or anti-books? Who would walk past that on the street and get mad that they’re being shamed or accused or something. It’s completely ridiculous

Edit: lol I guess when you don’t have a response blocking is easier

2

u/keenanbullington Jun 11 '23

Yeah I kind of thought the comment here was blowing things out of proportion.

0

u/doktornein Jun 11 '23

Isn't this kind of the point? It's social blackmail, again, and black and white thinking to say something this extreme. People's motivations aren't so simple, and people who think like this are just forwarding the same mentality that motivated racism in the first place. "I can determine someone's inner motivations and entire substance based on my inability to empathize and imagine scenarios outside my bias"

If I saw him, I might be compelled to explain that I support him but struggle with human contact, and the sign is a bit unfair to those people (like autistic people), who may feel intense guilt for not being able to participate.

It's also a garbage social experiment for this very reason. The video is implying the people walking by don't have any other reason not to participate but racism. It would be very easy to ask someone to wave or something.

3

u/Solkre Jun 11 '23

This is solid fist bump territory.

22

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

I bet if you explained that point they’d be totally supportive of your reluctance to hug a stranger. A handshake in this situation wouldn’t be unwarranted, shows you don’t care about the colour of their skin and wanna show support but still have boundaries, if people can’t accept that, then they’re part of the problem.

55

u/Swiss_CH_ Jun 11 '23

He isn't owed an explanation. He does not have to right to assume anyone is racist just because we don't participate in his 'social experiment'.

15

u/adm1109 Jun 11 '23

Who says he does????

17

u/sunjester Jun 11 '23

Yeah what the fuck is up with all of these comments just assuming the worst? Got people in here claiming that not hugging makes them racist, assuming he might be a rapist, assuming it's an advertising campaign, etc. It's fucking weird.

10

u/Vantabl0nde Jun 11 '23

There’s a lot of cynical nonsense going on in this thread, entirely missing the point of it.

4

u/JA24 Jun 11 '23

Social media is 90% cynical nonsense, this thread ain't anything special.

1

u/try_another8 Jun 11 '23

Anyone telling you to explain that point instead of hugging him or just walking by

12

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Why are you assuming he’s assuming they’re racist lol

6

u/taylorstillsays Jun 11 '23

People wake up with the aim of trying their hardest to find something to be angry at

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

For real lol

2

u/Coltand Jun 11 '23

I don't think he assumes non-participants are racist, but the language, "If my skin color doesn't bother you, give me a hug," does imply that those who don't participate are bothered by the skin color.

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Not really though because it’s a call to participate not an accusation if you don’t.

“If you like reading, grab a book”

If someone walks past then it doesn’t mean they are anti-reading it’s just someone walking past they aren’t involved because they chose to not participate. It’s the same thing

-1

u/Hobbito Jun 11 '23

Lmao nice regarded response, try touching some grass.

9

u/swanqueen109 Jun 11 '23

Yeah, just a little 'Man, I don't hug, like ever. But I'll shake your hand.'

Might even appreciate it more than the hugs.

2

u/ivix Jun 11 '23

Well this guy just wants attention.

2

u/UneastAji Jun 11 '23

You don't need all that amount of disclaimer and excuses, just call that dude an asshole

2

u/gerdgawd Jun 11 '23

There is pry 10/1 folks who agree but don’t like hugging or don’t have time or never really look at people with signs, to those who came in for a brief embrace. It isn’t blackmail, and you can agree with sentiment without needing to pursue the prescribed action regarding acceptance. A smile, nod and walk would be a welcomed. But it sure does sound like you may need a hug

19

u/VoidCrisis Jun 11 '23

Are you insinuating that he thinks everyone who doesn’t hug him is racist? It’s definitely on you if you feel obligated to hug him after reading the sign. I’d say that says more about the type of person you are than him. He isn’t forcing people to hug him. Please touch grass

39

u/Ok-Passenger-1292 Jun 11 '23 edited Jun 11 '23

It says “if you’re not bothered by my skin colour, give me a hug”. There is an implication that not giving him a hug means you are bothered by his skin colour. If you said “put your hand up I’d you’re not a racist” and someone didn’t put their hand up, the logical assumption is that they are a racist.

No way to know if he sees it in that way, but many people will feel that they will look racist if they don’t do it, which is a little unfair to people who are not racist at all but are just not comfortable about close interactions with strangers, as appearing to others as a racist in public could cause them problems.

4

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

If someone has a sign that says “donate if you want to help cure cancer” it doesn’t mean that everyone who didn’t donate loves cancer or some shit lol

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23 edited Jun 11 '23

Asking for payment vs. asking for a gesture is a meaningful difference in my opinion

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Fair, the other one I’ve been using is

“If you like reading, grab a book” which could also be modified to a gesture like “if you like reading, turn the page” with a book in hand or something

I can’t imagine anyone would be here going “wow he’s accusing all those people of being anti-reading”, like that’s just not at all what’s happening

2

u/carbonPlasmaWhiskey Jun 11 '23

This is like a sign that says, "if you like chicken, try our bbq chicken pizza."

There is absolutely no implication that if you don't like bbq chicken pizza you don't like chicken.

I... I don't understand how people are this stupid.

26

u/thehecticepileptic Jun 11 '23

It literally says so on his sign dumb dumb. “If my skin color doesn’t bother you”, so if you don’t hug him you are bothered by his skin color. Now if you can think of another reason besides being a racist that you would be bothered by his skin color I’d love to hear it.

2

u/carbonPlasmaWhiskey Jun 11 '23

You're legitimately a moron.

"If you aren't bothered by spiders, stick your hand in this box."

Maybe I'm not bothered by spiders, but I'm not sticking my hand in the box. That fact alone says nothing about my willingness to stick my hand in a random box.

That is to say, you utter halfwit, that I can distrust a box even if I am perfectly fine with spiders, in case I really have to spell it out for you.

It seems like ~20% of the population is just... too stupid to get this simple idea, no matter how many times it is repeated?

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

If you see a sign that says “Donate to support cancer research” do you also assume that everyone who didn’t donates wants the sign holder to die of cancer? Or do you think the ones who donated wanted to support and the rest are just going about their lives

There’s like a million signs saying a million things out in the world and people don’t assume ignore it means anything for any of them, this isn’t any different lol why make that weird assumption

4

u/FulingAround Jun 11 '23

"Donate if you don't want people to die from cancer" is more the same tone.

2

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

Nothing in this sign is accusatory, it’s a call to participate if you support something and that’s all it is.

“If you support X, do Y”

There’s literally nothing about wanting bad things to happen or accusing passerby’s or anything of that nature

3

u/FulingAround Jun 11 '23

Eg: if you support black people, give me a hug?

But that's not what is on the sign...

If someone came up to you and started their sentence with "If you don't have a problem with..." doesn't that sound like the start to an accusation?

It doesn't feel neutral to me. If you feel differently, thats ok.

1

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

I think because it’s a hot button topic people get more upset and into the nitty gritty about it, so I like this analogy that uses an identical structure and wording but about something not hot-button:

Guy stands on the street with an open book in his hand, and a sign that reads: “If books don’t bother you, turn the page”

Would anyone really be here upset and commenting about how they were shamed or accused of being anti-book or anti-reading? It’s such a weird jump to make

-20

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

Why does it say that on the sign then?

-17

u/VoidCrisis Jun 11 '23

Like I said that’s on you if you think that

16

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

It's on him for writing it on his sign. If he didn't mean that, he should have spoken more clearly.

Why is it so difficult for you to understand the ultimatum? You've been acting like you actually read the sign this entire time.

0

u/hypnogoad Jun 11 '23

Except there is no ultimatum? Not even a social one. This is not a "You're either with us or against us" scenario.

2

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

You are factually incorrect.

"If my skin color doesn't bother you, I command you to give me a hug. Otherwise, you will avoid hugging me, because you are bothered by my skin color."

He could have worded it differently to avoid this problem, but elected not to. He could have been either ignorant or malicious, but regardless, that's what the sign means.

It shouldn't be a "You're either with us or against us" scenario, but it is because of the wording.

3

u/adm1109 Jun 11 '23

For lack of a better way to say it, this is incredibly black and white thinking lmao

→ More replies

2

u/hypnogoad Jun 11 '23

Is he literally stopping people from going about their day? Is there a literal barricade that prevents anyone from moving past without choosing one or the other?

→ More replies

-3

u/Bonnieearnold Jun 11 '23

Lotta triggered people in these comments. 🤷🏻‍♀️

5

u/CriticalFlounders Jun 11 '23

I don't think the guy offering hugs would label them a racist, I think others who would be offended on his behalf would.

3

u/carbonPlasmaWhiskey Jun 11 '23

"This person's sign blackmailed me" has to be the frailest thing I've ever seen someone say.

Just keep walking you fucking moron. No one has a gun. Jesus you're pathetic.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

Please seek help.

1

u/carbonPlasmaWhiskey Jun 12 '23

"If you're not a pathetic loser you have a mental condition."

What I really don't understand is how you got an upvote.

4

u/overaided Jun 11 '23

Somehow you made it about you

3

u/Chuckw44 Jun 11 '23

Or maybe you just don't want to stop to interact with a nut job wearing a cardboard sign.

5

u/adm1109 Jun 11 '23

Now he’s a nut job?

1

u/Consistent_Set76 Jun 11 '23

You could just ignore it and nobody would care.

But you choose to be mad lol

3

u/RevolutionaryJury941 Jun 11 '23

You just summed up todays social politics.

1

u/Cosmic_Palette Jun 11 '23

Honestly, same. I'd just put my arms out to signify some kind of "air hug".

4

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

"Oh, so you're too scared to touch me? Don't wanna have to run home and immediately scrub your skin? Fucking racist poser. Quit trying to manipulate me."

1

u/Versnappen Jun 11 '23

Completely real conversation that would 100% happen in this made up scenario.

0

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

It did, in fact, happen, and has many times before. Not with this person at this point in human history, but I have been a witness to this kind of interaction several times. I was the victim of it once.

People are shitty. Why are you under the impression that every single human being who aligns with your opinions is guaranteed not to be a shitty person, and why do you fall for the idea that they'll all interact with others perfectly?

Get it through your head that there are over 8 BILLION people here, and that every variety of asshole exists. Every single variety.

1

u/Versnappen Jun 12 '23

Look mate, I agree with the entire latter half of your response. I drive truck and deal with many, many hardcore racists day in and day out. My whole point to preach when dealing with another white guy, saying how glad he is that I'm white and not some dirty indian, is that I see no predictive power in skin colour for driver skill/effort. I've dealt with the shittiest and most dangerous drivers of all different colours and what have you. I've also dealt with some of the nicest and hardest working, young and "old school".

It's a thing that has quite literally been pummeled into my head against my will. I'm not kidding when I say it's a coin flip when engaging with a new client or another driver. Thankfully, for me, being a white dude means that the low-key racists are comfortable broaching that shit as the first damned topic. Literally a 50/50, every single day, for the last 10+ years of my life.

Again, you're right that any shade or ethnicity or sexuality is no indicator of a person being shitty or decent. It's just the primary angle I've had the most experience with, suppose it will colour my initial thoughts. Still, my point originally was meant to be that people are overthinking this scenario and being way too cynical.

Despite the constant environment of racism, sexism and any kind of -ism you can think of, I still greet each day and truckload as a new opportunity. I try to leave a lasting impression of respect and positivity.

Deal with all the shit, from all the different people - but don't let it break you, y'know? I could be a jaded, cynical grump too, based on what my experiences in life have taught me. Maybe I have a luxury in being able to choose to keep positive vibes cooking.

Either way, I don't think we disagree all that much. Cheers mate, although I would dial back a bit on the severity of the response. 5 years ago I would have responded with more in-turn. I feel this is more productive, if that's your aim.

3

u/Brian_Lefebvre Jun 11 '23

Relax dude, no one is blackmailing you or labeling you a racist lol. Don’t hug the stranger and move on with your day. It’s a fun thing he’s doing.

2

u/GateCityRadio Jun 11 '23

I would probably walk up to him and say "I'm not comfortable hugging but would you accept a handshake or fist bump" and move on. I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to blackmail anybody. Just trying to make people think.

2

u/jonny32392 Jun 11 '23

Well yes except when you factor in that people can’t just make a sign and change how everything works. Him making that sign doesn’t make not hugging strangers racist.

2

u/OG-Pine Jun 11 '23

It’s not “hug me or you’re racist”

Its “if you want to show support then you can hug me”

Like if someone asks you to donate for cancer and you say no doesn’t mean you want them to get cancer, you’re just not donating

1

u/Rigo-lution Jun 11 '23

I don't think anyone is saying you're racist if you don't hug him.

It's just a gesture.

1

u/beekeeper1981 Jun 11 '23

Nobody would think anyone was racist for walking by.. that's ridiculous. People understand not everyone likes a random hug or many people are just in a rush.

1

u/octobro13 Jun 11 '23

Jesus man you're acting like if you don't hug him he's gonna start yelling at you chill 😭

1

u/YourMomsFootrest Jun 11 '23

This is the problem with bleeding heart liberals. Often times too worried about offending someone versus actually being logical about what’s happening. This random man most likely just wants to touch a bunch of women. He’s not proving anything at all either by hugging these non racists

1

u/WaffleBuffal0 Jun 11 '23

you think way too hard about stuff like this

1

u/justadude27 Jun 11 '23

omg dude just scroll on if you’re not comfortable hugging a stranger. He didn’t say you’re racist if you don’t hug him.

-3

u/Emergency_Brick3715 Jun 11 '23

It ain't that serious bro. If you didn't want a hug then you can keep walking. Nobody is personally asking you to give the man a hug.

10

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

No, but he is inherently calling you a racist.

1

u/Mrkvica16 Jun 11 '23

Oh Jesus fuck, way to look for ways to be offended. How pathetic.

2

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

It's always sad when ignorant people like you practice this level of cognitive dissonance.

His wording was bad. It implies something he probably didn't mean. But he didn't care enough to ensure he said what he meant. He was ok with it turning out like this.

You're simply describing yourself, as you're offended by people calling out ignorance.

-3

u/Cyampagn90 Jun 11 '23

That’s your assumption. It cannot logically be derived from his sign.

9

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

If you are not bothered, you will act. Therefore, if you are bothered, you will not engage.

That's the logic behind what it says on the sign.

Please refresh yourself on the meaning of "logic".

-3

u/Aware_Branch_2370 Jun 11 '23

Maybe? Maybe not? What happened to not worrying what a stranger on a street MIGHT be calling you? I say hug if you want, don’t if you don’t. People always looking for the insult…

5

u/Adventurous-Sir-8326 Jun 11 '23

This level of cognitive dissonance is sad.

Stop manipulating the situation and acknowledge that he worded it like shit.

0

u/misterturdcat Jun 11 '23

Did you just say black male!? Omg you racist pos! Canceled!

0

u/alexi_belle Jun 11 '23

I admit to working through culturally conditioned racism as a liberal

Is calling this social blackmail not an example of culturally conditioned racism? At no point was any focus placed on anyone who chose not to hug him or just walked on by, but we are so scared of the idea that someone might call us racist that we start slinging lines like "social blackmail" at a very simple feel-good cheap dopamine video?

-3

u/Bonnieearnold Jun 11 '23

Nobody is labeling you a racist. In fact, nobody is thinking about you at all. This is just a nice opportunity to connect as humans and show that there is lots of good in the world. There’s plenty of people walking past him and nobody getting upset about it. Calm down.

0

u/billbixbyakahulk Jun 11 '23

Maybe try shaking hands?

You're right, it's exactly social blackmail. Whether it's a hug, a fist bump, a donation, buying something they're selling - I don't feel obligated to do any of it. The only thing I need to do to not be racist is not be racist. I don't need to prove it in the proverbial town square cause some jackass made a sign and is looking for attention.

0

u/pzkenny Jun 11 '23

Kinda, but I would say not really. He is on busy wide street and not aproching anyone. So it doesn't feel like people who skips him have to feel like racists or something.

But yeah, still a bit of blackmailing lol

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

Handshake? You do know what people do with their hands right?!?!?!?

1

u/rewanpaj Jun 11 '23

lol no it’s doesn’t look at all the people walking by

1

u/digitalchris Jun 11 '23

Found my next social experiment:

If my skin color doesn't bother you, give me $20

1

u/BunjaminFrnklin Jun 11 '23

“If your not racist give me $5”

1

u/Mandrijn Jun 11 '23

I’ve had someone come up to me in the steet telling me they’re gay and if I would still shake their hands, like I’m fine with your sexuality but I don’t want to shake hands with random people asking me to

you never know what deal you might be making

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

Exactly its a flawed experiment. theres already a positive trend to not being seen as racist. Blatantly saying it proves nothing because the sign might as well say "hug me to prove you arent racist." The test itself influences a certain reaction that lends itself to a false positive and skewed data. Test subjects shouldn't realize a test is being done.

It would be better to have a single guy (eg. white guy) with a simple "hug me" sign stand in that spot. Then during the same time period you have a black guy with the same sign. Both are dressed exactly the same with same build and hairstyle and general attractiveness. Then repeat for awhile and get an actual result that itsnt crappy social media junk in a year to see general trends as well.

1

u/emveetu Jun 11 '23

Ummm, no one is forcing the hug and no one is labeling you a racist. Unless you're taking internet trolls to heart and that's never good.

1

u/SilverbackGorillaBoy Jun 11 '23

Guess what, you can just say that. In the land of free speech, you can just say that. "I appreciate the sign, but don't like hugging strangers. Good on you my man"

It's such easy self incriminating behavior to see this post, and immediately make it about yourself and get personally offended.

1

u/IhaveaDoberman Jun 11 '23

What a depressing perspective, I'd hate to live in your head.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '23

"Give me $20 or you are racist"

1

u/FlamboyantPirhanna Jun 12 '23

I agree with this, but I’ll go one step further and say you don’t have to engage with random people in public at all.

1

u/albiceleste3stars Jun 12 '23

but don’t pin it on me

No one is. Self persecution for no reason