I find it amazing that so many of my colleagues can be extremely racist (I'm a nurse) I have worked in an environment where we have looked after indigenous patients and those seeking asylum and some of the comments have floored me, I've let people know I'm not ok with it and luckily have not had to take it further as yet but the fact that I encounter it so frequently at work was a real eye opener

I also have had to deal with homophobia in my personal life, my DH was raised in a very homophobic environment and when he met two of my close friends who are gay he made some really inappropriate comments which almost ended our relationship. Luckily he was willing to reconsider his views and apologised to my friends. His brother was grateful that my DH had the opportunity to reassess his views on homosexuality as my BIL finally felt able to be open about his sexuality with the family at 40 years of age and he said that DH's change In attitude made it much easier although the PIL are still homophobic but are slowly accepting BIL and his partner

I guess my point is gritting your teeth and putting up with it isn't going to change attitudes, sharing your views on racism may or may not change other people's views or how they go about voicing them but not sharing how you feel about racism means these people will continue to think their views and the way they express them are acceptable.