History Main / NobleBigot

Confusingly, it is also possible for a person to act both racist ''and'' anti-racist, such as admiring groups ''theoretically'' while in practice hating them out of envy or fear (see RaceFetish and KarmicTransformation). Or maybe they have a [[TheThemeParkVersion ridiculously outdated "idealized" notion]] of a certain group, but then hate modern-day individuals of that group for [[PretenderDiss not living up to that imagined standard]] or [[CategoryTraitor "betraying" their culture]]. Conversely, they might spout racist slogans or offensive words about a given group or ethnicity in general, yet turn out to be friendly or charitable to [[BigotryException the actual members they encounter in person]]. It's not for nothing that a common defense from bigots is "SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX". All of this is also still TruthInTelevision, as because of the complicated and messy relations, prejudices, and bigotries present in all societies, it is basically near ''impossible'' to not end up having bigoted beliefs (even if they're never brought out until provoked) ''and'' be capable of immense nobility at the same time.

Confusingly, it is also possible for a person to act both racist ''and'' anti-racist, such as admiring groups ''theoretically'' while in practice hating them out of envy or fear (see RaceFetish and KarmicTransformation). Or maybe they have a [[TheThemeParkVersion ridiculously outdated "idealized" notion]] of a certain group, but then hate modern-day individuals of that group for [[PretenderDiss not living up to that imagined standard]] or [[CategoryTraitor "betraying" their culture]]. Conversely, they might spout racist slogans or offensive words about a given group or ethnicity in general, yet turn out to be friendly or charitable to [[BigotryException the actual members they encounter in person]]. It's not for nothing that a common defense from bigots is "SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX".

->'''Nell Dawson:''' With every month that passes things will become easier for you. Six months from now you'll be accepted here.\\

** Lorenz from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' may come off as a typical UpperClassTwit who likes to brag about how he comes from a noble family, and has instances where he treats the achievements of his commoner comrades with [[YouAreACreditToYourRace You Are A Credit To Your Social Class]] based CondescendingCompassion and talks about how nobles and commoners each have predetermined roles they should play in society. But at the same time, he is never ''intentionally'' mean-spirited, he treats all of his comrades with politeness and respect regardless of their social class, and on the few occasions when someone actually ''does'' take offense to his attitude, he goes out of his way to apologize.

** Archie Bunker from is a decent man at heart who clings to outdated ideas and prejudices. While definitely close-minded and judgmental, he is neither a hateful or violent man, and a lot of his prejudices are born from a general misanthropic view of humanity on the whole and how the world has changed, rather than being aimed at any specific minority. While a good part of the show is Archie's family trying to show him the error of his ways, it's generally his own noble heart that pushes him to do the right thing: his treatment of Lionel is definitely ignorant and condescending, but he never-the-less considers Lionel a friend and genuinely loves the kid in spite of his race, even when he's shocked to learn his friend Stretch was Jewish he ends up feeling bad about telling anti-Semitic jokes to the man and gives a hearfelt eulogy at the man's funeral complete with a respectful shalom, despite his mistreatment of Edith he greatly loves her and is ''immensely'' protective of her to the point he'll almost immediately back down on the rare occasions she stands her ground to him or his behavior causes her harm, and most infamously he is utterly ''disgusted'' by the KKK and outright denounces all of their behavior.
** Michael Stivic as well -- when Archie labelled him as The Meathead, he certainly wasn't wrong. While Michael makes a ''genuine'' attempt to be as progressive and forward-thinking as possible, he holds on to almost as many stereotypical beliefs as Archie. He is ''incredibly'' chauvanistic, not willing to have his appendix removed by a female doctor, and he genuinely believes that black people and women, ''unlike white men'', cannot "socially evolve" without a "quality education from people like himself". Infamously, ''his'' idea of what a handyman's black assistant would be, an utter UncleTomfoolery {{Minstrel Show|s}} escapee, was every bit as bad as Archie's view of him being a Black Power thug who served as TheHeavy for a mafioso boss. One episode actually has Lionel [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech call out Michael for his bigotry]] and point out that he ''actually prefers Archie's company'' -- he explains that, while Archie is a bigoted old fool, Archie still never the less loves Lionel as a genuine friend and treats him as an individual, while Michael has a whole SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX additude and treats Lionel as "a representative of black people"[sic] rather than an individual.

A well-drawn Noble Bigot can be used for AnAesop against self-righteously writing others off because of aspects of their character.

** Most of the heroes are at least slightly racist towards the Ishvalans (barring the Elric Brothers. Possibly justified since of their age.)

* ''TabletopGame/{{Space 1889}}'' it’s almost unavoidable that the player characters will display a bit of this attitude. They are supposed to be Victorians, who mostly believe in Victorian values, but still be good guys.

* Sergeant Hartman from ''Film/FullMetalJacket'' is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUc62jD-G0o#t=2m12s considerably homophobic]] but a well-intentioned guy.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': Both Spock and Leonard "Bones" McCoy are shown this way, often making disparaging comments about humans and Vulcans, respectively, although it's shown that they do trust each other and are [[VitriolicBestBuds good friends]], and aren't completely serious with their prejudice.

* The Brotherhood of Steel are portrayed as Noble Bigots in ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', which takes place in 2287, approximately 10 years after ''Fallout 3'' where they were more sympathetic. In particular, the Brotherhood's current leader, Arthur Maxson, and Paladin Danse espouse this trope the most. They rigidly believe in safeguarding the Commonwealth and its people, though moresp its human people whereas they are ruthless towards the ghoul[[labelnote:*]]They aren't completely unwelcoming to non-feral ghouls (John Hancock is allowed to enter the ''Prydwen'' with the Sole Survivor) but they make no secret that they will gladly shoot them dead if they think one could become feral[[/labelnote]], Super Mutant[[labelnote:*]]Probably and only because Strong is a companion of the Sole Survivor that he's allowed onto the ''Prydwen'' as well[[/labelnote]], and Synth inhabitants to make it a safer place for humans.

May also overlap with TragicBigot and TroubledSympatheticBigot. See also NobleBigotWithABadge and BoomerangBigot. Compare GoodIsNotNice. May overlap with WickedCultured or FairForItsDay. May come off as AffablyEvil (or even FauxAffablyEvil) to the targets of his prejudice. Compare HatesEveryoneEqually, which describes a person who is not bigoted against a ''particular'' demographic. The Noble Bigot possibly WantsAPrizeForBasicDecency; after all, many other people manage to be just as noble without being bigoted at all.

* Archie Bunker from ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' is a decent man at heart who clings to outdated ideas and prejudices. While definitely close-minded and judgmental, he is neither a hateful or violent man, and a lot of his prejudices are born from a general misanthropic view of humanity on the whole and how the world has changed, rather than being aimed at any specific minority. While a good part of the show is Archie's family trying to show him the error of his ways, it's generally his own noble heart that pushes him to do the right thing: his treatment of Lionel is definitely ignorant and condescending, but he never-the-less considers Lionel a friend and genuinely loves the kid in spite of his race, even when he's shocked to learn his friend Stretch was Jewish he ends up feeling bad about telling anti-Semitic jokes to the man and gives a hearfelt eulogy at the man's funeral complete with a respectful shalom, despite his mistreatment of Edith he greatly loves her and is ''immensely'' protective of her to the point he'll almost immediately back down on the rare occasions she stands her ground to him or his behavior causes her harm, and most infamously he is utterly ''disgusted'' by the KKK and outright denounces all of their behavior.

The noble bigot prides himself -— it usually ''is'' a man, due to gendered stereotypes —- on doing the right thing and making sure that those in need are taken care of, yet in the same instance has no qualms with labeling those different from himself with [[PoliticallyIncorrectHero unreasonably prejudiced terms]] and [[YouAreACreditToYourRace backhanded compliments]]. Although the noble bigot basically wallows in his own {{jerkass}} nature, he's not considered truly villainous. His bigotry might even be motivated by a misguided desire to be good and "loyal" rather than a CategoryTraitor, and might even tie into his positive traits (i.e. he considers himself to be superior, and superior people are ''supposed'' to hold themselves to high standards). Other characters either are constantly revolted by his nature, or brush it off as it just being in his nature, in the hope that others will get used to it. It may or may not prove to be PretendPrejudice.