No.

I think that their views would be so far apart from my views that I would be more likely to actively dislike them...so, no I couldn't be friends with them. +

I don't think they could be friends with me.

No way. The only friends racists and sexists have are other racists and sexists.

Sure just cuz they have a few faults doesn't mean they have no redeeming social value

No. They would detest my family, detest my friends, and I'd kick them to the curb real fast.

I might consider them an acquaintance, but not a friend.

No. That is a sign of ignorance and I can't stand ignorant people.

No. Some years back, I became acquainted with a man my husband worked with. Then I heard the guy use the word "nigra" (not precisely the N word but close enough). I said, "Why do you use that word?" He said, "I don't like 'em. I just don't like 'em." My jaw dropped. I didn't argue with him - he was 50 or so - not old, but if he hadn't had enough perception by that age to realize that every group has every kind of people in it, he wouldn't be likely to learn it on my say-so. I didn't talk to him anymore.

I'm not one to befriend bigotry.

Sure, as long as they like having their friends in their face, telling how narrow minded and neanderthal they are!!

my probably not. it would get old fast to me but id put them in their place by telling them you dont want to hear stuff like that when they are around...

I was friendly with a guy who worked for me when I was in the Navy. This guy was all racist. He would go to lunch with the guys in my shop but he wouldn't sit with any of us becaue he didn't want to be seen socializing with whites. I knew him for almost two years and I never figured out why he felt the way he did. I still don't understand it.

No I wouldnt be friends with someone so ignorant.

I do have ppl in my life i would say were friends. I don't like what they stand for but take the opportunity to educate them to the facts of where this blind, selfish way of acting can lead a persons whole life. I am proud to say I have even turned a few ppl around. They filled that huge part of their soul with a different feeling. Great question. Uncomfortable but important.

I don't think I would, I don't like what they stand for and they will always try to push their believes on the rest and that bothers me.

i could be cordial, but i could never be friends. i'd be cordial because i'd want to be able to be close enough to try to talk sense into the person ;)

Absolutely not. I am black. I could not be a friend with a black racist. I could not be a friend to a white racist, Jewish, Arab, NO KINDA racist. I could engage in business with a racist, and I often do. I find it not hard to discuss their racism with them. Like how can they possibly think they are getting good legal care from a black lawyer and yet still some part of them tells them that blacks are inferior? I try to keep the lines of communication open. I don't want to appear SO close-minded myself that racists will never discuss their thoughts with me. I am hoping that some can be converted over if they can think it through. I really believe that most have been poisoned by their parents' ill logic; but that as young adults we (a compassionate and logical society) have one more chance to convert them to sanity. But friendship: definitely not. My own mother is a bigot against whites, Jews, and gays. That is a primary reason we cannot be close now. She also believes that blacks can do no wrong. So, for instance, Mike Tyson was "set up by the man," instead of he raped a woman because he is an animal. Racist thinking is so illogical that it makes otherwise smart people stupid!

no, i know i couldnt.:)

If we can't make friends with people, we cannot lift them from their ignorance and prejudice. Friendship, I believe, is the only cure for racism, hate, bigotry, and many other evils in the world. While I deplore hate and bigotry, I have known many people who have some degree of those characteristics and I have seen many people overcome them - often only by the grace and love of God. Some have been my friends. I don't listen when their speech turns to hate and I make it plain that I won't participate. Racists come in all races and I have had friends whose racism was directed against me. In a way, that is easier to deal with as friends because we are shattering stereotypes.

we all have a racist friend

I have been, but I wasnt aware that they were. It all came down to them seeing me as whatever race they were or passing for another, but the friendships never lated long after hearing their comment. I could never be friends with someone who would hate me for my skin color or even my family for being darker. Passing or not, hating someone for that is horrible way to be. I can talk to that person, but thats it.

i couldn't do either. in regards to being friends with someone who was friends with a racist, you know the saying: birds of a feather... to me, even if the friend wasn't a racist, the fact that he doesn't have the backbone to say something to his friend who is a racist is another issue that i couldn't deal with. so, that friend would already have two strikes against him.

No and No.

My mother-in-law is one of those elderly people who doesn't know she's a racist. To confront her about it would do no good. She was raised in a world that was racist. The whole rest of her family, (children included) just look to one another and roll their eyes whenever she says something ridiculous and we let it slide. She says things like, "I have two grandchildren who are black, but I love them so much!" And, "My son-in-law is chinese, but he's such a nice man. It doesn't matter to me that four of my grandchildren are oriental." Yes, she says 'oriental.'

Mar. 7th edit: I answered this question... : Could you be friends with a racist? could you be friends with someone who is friends with a racist? http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1304178 ... that was merged with the current question. I wish they would not do that. Most racists do not like me due to my ethnicity but there are a few who hate other ethnicities than mine who do want to be friends with me. I can only be friends with a racist long enough to establish whether or not I can change that person's opinion and, thus, make them no longer racist. I have had friends who start out racist but they show an open mind rather than the closed mindedness of what I consider a "true" racist and have, indeed, changed. If that person's racist opinions are not going to change, no, I could not. If that person changed on his or her own later and stopped being racist, I would re-evaluate a possible friendship. I would try to tolerate the friend of a friend of a racist. Success would vary.

Racism is not a disease; it is (most often) the outcome of misinformation; what a better way to inform someone and change their ways than by being their friend?

I find such people repulsive and I cannot stand to be in their presence. So, the answer is no...I cannot be friends with someone I know to be racist/sexist or bigoted in any way.