Specifically, people who you are stuck with for the rest of your life aka family. How do you deal with them? How do you get them to actually listen to your point of view and not dismiss it? Especially when they get the upper hand in terms of 'power'. My dad is super close minded and he gets so angry when I try to explain why I would do something or explain why he was wrong. For example, he keeps telling me that all Indians rape people so you should never stay in contact with them. I find this highly offensive and racist even though I'm not Indian. I try to tell him that what he said is really racist and I proceed to tell him that people of all ethnicities have the capability to rape as well. He then tells me that Indians are the people who rape the most, apparently he got that information from the news and then he proceeds to yell and get angry at me for never watching the news. First of all, I highly doubt that there is statistics that show that Indians are the ethnicity that rape the most in Australia, I even checked online. Second of all, just because he apparently watched this one 'news' report that I didn't, he suddenly assumes that I don't watch the news. He thinks he knows everything about Australia when he doesn't even know the national anthem. He keeps giving me invalid arguments such as 'I'm just trying to protect you but you don't listen'. I'm sure he can give me words of advice without targeting Indians.

How do I deal with him? Should I just be passive? I don't know what to do.

Honestly, I just ignore them.

The truth of the matter is, if someone doesn't want to listen they won't.

I spent a large part of my college days being determined that people must listen to my point of view as well and adhere to them but everyone has free will and therefore people can choose whether or not they wish to listen to it. If they don't want to listen, then no matter of amount of persuasion will get them to listen anyway.

There's also a difference between being racist and acting upon that racism.A person can be racist without actually acting upon that racism and at that point, offensive as it may be and as long as he's not harming anyone he'll likely still consider believing whatever it is that he believes.

Ignoring them works the best. Some people you just can't talk to. I had the same problem with my grandmother

There really isn't much you can do to make someone listen to you. IF they don't want to listen or try to understand your point of view or opinions, then they will not. The most you can do is try to explain yourself and if they won't listen, then that is their problem. I certainly hope that you can find a way to get your dad to listen to you, but some people can be very stubborn. They will not be moved from the position they are in, no matter what you do.

I'm sorry that I couldn't have been more helpful to you!

From experience with my parents being religious nuts of the Christian variety, and me not being a Christian at all, I typically just have to tip-toe around the subject of personal values and things that have to do with their religion poisoning politics and stuff like that. They usually have a cutting comment about non-religious people ready every time I see them and it's highly annoying. I have to sit and just let it go, because they're my parents and that's what I have to do, to put up with them. I hate it, but I have no choice. They refuse to see my point of view, and there's no way I'll see theirs, as I tried for more than 14 years. So, for me, the fight's not worth it. You just talk to them about stuff that doesn't relate to what those people are closed-minded on. Hope that helps.

It's difficult to address the situation when it's someone in your family. Unfortunately, it sounds like he's very much made up his mind about the matter. Sometimes there will be people who are open enough to listen and realize that what they are saying and doing is harmful, but then there will also be people who will not listen. Your dad sounds like he is willing to hold onto these views and opinions of his, regardless of reason. If you don't feel that your safety is at risk, perhaps continuing to speak up against him, but realize that it'd take nothing short of a miracle to likely get your father to change his views. If you feel that your safety is threatened, that you might be kicked out or harmed in some manner, perhaps holding your tongue is better. Yes, what he is saying is terrible and harmful- but your safety is absolutely important, too. Leave the room, go to the bathroom, put on headphones... try to drown him out or cease the conversation, if it is upsetting you.

I left the country. I refuse to talk to most of my family. They're idiots and they suck.

...but since you're probably stuck living with them, it's gonna suck and you'll probably have a crappy time till you move out. Ignoring them, as mentioned before, is the best course of action. Steer the conversation away from that if you don't want to talk about it. If it's something like your dad is preventing you from hanging out with your (TOTAL RAPIST INDIAN) friends, then you may want to sit him down somewhere with internet access and have a discussion about why he thinks [Indians are all rapists]. According to people who are more successful at changing minds than I am, you have to go into the conversation not believing that they're in the wrong, but I'm not sure how to do that because I'm an opinionated little bitch.

And then move away asap. :1