you guys arguments are a bit strange to me, stalking in my country and deliberately peeving people off online has resulted in a couple of killings and some savage beatings... a bit of a rascist and sexist rant is nothing, sticks and stones. The chap lost his temper and used whatever words he thought might hurt the other.... big deal, doesn't mean he's a Nazi

That is what I am seeing as well. It's not like this person beat up someone for their skin color. This whole conversation seems very Americentric (or at least Western).

@forest sir/madams, if you want to know why some people think you’re endorsing racism, it is because you are literally saying racial slurs are not that bad.

Relevant, “answers and comments that only tell the OP that their choices are wrong while ignoring the question aren't useful.l

@DoritoStyle Wouldn't the question be: "if I was fighting with a coworker outside of work and they started making racist & sexist slurs in public, should I report it to HR?"

@Tom yes, I actually wanted to add that but the edit timer expired.

I think every reasonable person agrees that the colleague does not hold sincere racial prejudice, therefore in my opinion reach into his personal life and bringing his personal life into the workplace is draconian. Clearly, he has become a senior colleague and he did not get there by ranting at his coworkers. I think reason demands that we be able to separate context between sincerely held beliefs or actions that may impact workplace - in which case it may be prudent to alert HR

And actions that are driven by being pushed to the edge, which requires an understanding of the limits of human emotion. If harassment is what is required to drive a person to be mean, then it's also reasonable to assume that person is not mean-spirited. Both of these assumptions and abilities to perceive context is crucial to survival in the workplace and, in all honesty, life in general.

It is also important to understand the workplace / personal dichotomy. We the people generally frown upon draconian reach from the workplace into our personal lives. We also take care to leave personal life at the door. We also take care around things like friendships/relationships when it comes to coworkers. The best way for OP and other question askers to keep their careers is to understand these nuances as well as the two things I mentioned above.

And also to stay happy in said careers. You can't be happy by feeling outrage over everything, especially things you cause directly.

@forest Thanks for carrying on my point!