The majority of people on Answers are racists, sexists and homophobes?

Question

If I ever make an unpopular statement, like I hate the police and I wouldn't hand over someone in my own family even if he or she was a terrorist, I get thumb-downs. I also get thumb-downs for asking quite normal questions and giving quite normal answers. Yet, if someone makes a racist, sexist or homophobic comment or words their question in those kinds of ways, they usually get thumbs ups, and very few thumbs-downs. Also, nobody I've ever reported for using the word 'p-a-k-i' (even when they're talking about killing them) ever gets their comment removed. So, are most people here messed up?

Answer 1

Not the majority, I hope but, yes, it does seem that an alarming amount of people use this site to vent their hate or prejudices. Bigoted views are obviously becoming more unacceptable in a superficial sense (i.e a matter of etiquette) so I think it stands to reason that those people will seek solace and find some small vengeance through the safety of an anonymous vote. That's why I think censorship of socially unacceptable views and words is such a bad idea. It doesn't get to the root of the problem and, instead, drives it underground where people are, at best, quietly hostile (letting rip in private) or, at worst, increasingly clever in their manipulation of people's fear or in their picking of the "right" moments to unleash their hate. (An example of this strategy would be waiting for a hated person to mess up or behave badly so they will be more likely to get away with abusing them in response.)

Personally, I want to know what bigots are doing/saying and would suggest that getting racist content removed is inadequate as a solution and counter-productive. (I also think Yahoo makes it too easy for us to report each other in a fit of pique and that this results in reporting as a flaming strategy!)

However, despite my view, I do think it seems rather suspicious that Yahoo "customer care" haven't removed the racist content you've reported when other evidence suggests they are usually very quick to follow up complaints. I've certainly seen some pretty swift removal of Q&A's with sexually explicit content (including plenty of seemingly genuine questions and sensible candid advice). Do they seriously think the frank discussion of sex is more offensive than racism?

Answer 2

It's all about opinions. People are entitled to their own opinions and of course some are going to disagree and make smart comments, or give thumbs down. It's just something to do and you shouldn't take it so personally. How many of the people in here do you actually know, or know you? So why do you care so much about a bunch of people who got nothing better to do than to sit here and ask and answer questions all day? For me it's just a way to pass the day when I'm bored at work. I enjoy it because it's fun. But when you start to get personally offended then it's time to find something else to do. It's just like when people get in here and ask medical and mental health questions. This is not ask-a-nurse. This is not psychology.com. Relax and lighten up, you'll live longer.

Answer 3

This is just an open forum for people to vent. Unfortunately a lot of the venting is misdirected into racism and sexism. I put on a question about google earth, and when you type in WMD it used to zoom in on the White House, and one guy replied "How come when I type in Dumbass it zooms in on your house?"

Did people really say they wanted to kill p-a-k-i's? That IS messed up! It's probably the same people who didn't like the terrorists being sympathetic in Sleeper Cell - I didn't think they were sympathetic, but these people probably consider the other Muslims in the show to be terrorists, like the guy who was wrongfully sent to Quantanimo!

Answer 4

I couldn't agree more, but there are two things I would say:

1. its not the majority, its the minority. there doesn't have to be a lot of them to spoil it for the majority...and from what I've seen it tends to be only when school is out.

2. you are giving them the attention they crave. someone on here suggested we should just "report and ignore" and I completely agree. I find it offensive that Yahoo doesn't moderate quicker and more efficiently, but I refuse to give the racists/sexists/homophobes the light of day. They aren't worth a single breathe of mine.

Answer 5

You have serious issues you need to address.
You really dont have the right to make judgement on anyone
else with the views you have.
Take a look at yourself first before making randon assumptions
that everyone else is racist sexist or homophobic - you may see
exactly the same thing in yourself!

Answer 6

Just a reflection on the population as a whole, I think - sadly. It's probably not actually the majority, but is a large and vocal minority. The problem is these people make so much noise, they get noticed - which is what they want. The mature way to deal with it is just ignore them, but I prefer to descend to their level and insult them.

Answer 7

i've noticed when you report someone their question doesn't go away off the list but if you click on it it will not let you comment and tell you it was removed. maybe they were removed but you didn't click on it???? i dunno, also i'm not racist, sexist or a homophobe, i don't discriminate, i hate everyone! but i'll give you a thumbs up if it makes you feel better :)

Answer 8

I have lots of freinds from Pakistan and if I saw a racist question about them on here I would not ignore it,I do not tolerate any kind of hate!!Well just for overexposed celebrities!

Answer 9

I agree with you, this is a problem when the masses are given access to something such as the internet. Fear not I know you are more intelligent than the moronic majority using this site.

Answer 10

I think you are taking the whole site too seriously. So what if people give you a thumbs down? Everyone is different and have different views. Chill out