Why does the subject of race make people angry?

Question

Just wondering, because I have to know. I don't get angry about race questions, and I actually feel very comfortable talking about it. Why does race make so many people angry? Race is a part of history and a huge part of our society today. Why cant we just talk about it like any other subject without being accused of being racist? Just because you bring up the subject doesn't mean you are one. I just don't understand a lot of things, and I like to get different points of views. Please do not post insults.

Answer 1

I agree, too many people think that any question about race is automatically racist. But if the questioner were really a rabid racist, they would only ask a truly incendiary, fight-provoking question. A real racist wouldn't ask a question that calls for information or opinion -they'd already know the answer from the stereotypes they believe.

People don't know how to approach the topic of race, and it's easy to put your foot in your mouth and say something stupid and offensive without realizing it. So I think it's good to precede or immediately follow a question about race with some kind of softening remark, such as "This may be a stupid question but I've always wondered...."

Answer 2

Just as religion, sexual orientation, politics, abortion and domestic abuse touches the nerve chords of so many, so does the topic of race. It is because there are so many differing views on it and there is no way possible that everyone can or will agree on such an issue.

I truly believe that no matter how you may think of yourself, from a hard core racist to an accepting person, everyone has biases against different groups of people. Unfortunately, when some feel threatened or scared they take it out on those who are the complete opposite of them. Sad as that is, some are never corrected about their behavior and never taught that differences are OK.

Also- there are a lot of people who cannot get over the past. Yes, slavery was bad, but no, it does not bother me. Why? because my ancestors fought it and paved the way so that i dont have to go through it now. I dont know what it was like, but i also dont take offense at someones ignorance. When Isay it doesnt bother me- I mean that no matter what i may say or do right now will ever change the past, so i must live to change the future.

I think you asked a very good question, but i think the better question would be, What would it take for the world to become 1?

Thanks!

Answer 3

I'm not really an angry person at all, but I do get upset when people honestly believe stereotypes to be true and try to make it known that they think it is fact.

There was a question on here that asked why white people were so greedy. I wouldn't have been so upset if the person that posted the question would have put some good explaination into why he felt this way, but there was nothing like that. Instead, the question was posted in the pets section because he knew that us "people like like pets more than other races." He was referring to whites. There were a lot of other racial comments and stereotypes throughout what was typed, and it made em a little upset.

I also got really upset when I switched high schools a while back. I went to school in Detroit, so when I switched to a white school in my senior year, there were a lot oof differences. I was really appauled by the offensive things that people would say just because there weren't any kids of other races around. A lot of people thought that it was okay to call blacks ******* (yahoo answers won't even allow "the n word" to show up) because "they say it about theirselves." Most of these kids didn't even know a black kid. So I made sure to speak out against kids like that. It got to me becase they are so wrong and they really thought that it was okay to condemn a whole people.

I think that it gets people upset because you are really insulting people based on generalizations that do not apply to anyone and that, in many cases, are false to begin with. This doesn't just go for race, but for religion, social status, economic status, sexual orientation, what you choose to wear, where you choose to shop, and every other aspect of our lives. It's human nature to want to defend yourself, but a lot of things could be handled better.

Answer 4

Race is a very sensitive subject for most people. It's the first thing that people notice about a person when they walk into a room, and so many people have bigoted opinions about different races (sometimes they don't even realize it).
When you ask questions about race, you will get some very heated answers, because people are super sensitive to any criticism about their race. Also, since this is an anonymous forum, you will get uncensored opinions (things they would never say to you in person)
Hope this helps!

Answer 5

It usually does because government with all of its law and penalties has made it almost impossible for intelligent people to have intelligent discussions about race without being branded racists. The fear that Big Brother is watching and that a person might end up with an FBI dossier on them or on a Homeland Security watch list is a very real fear. Or they fear being sued for everything they own because a comment or conversation was taken wrong, like money is going to change the fact that the comment or conversation ever took place. Our society is becoming sillier and sillier all the time because our government is become more ridiculous with each passing day. I probably have a dossier with the FBI ten inches thick for the things that I have been saying on Q&A.

Answer 6

So many people post hate here that everyone is on their guard. I don't know why people are hung up on it.

We all see society through our own experiences. Since we have such different experiences, often because of our races, discussing it brings up some unpleasant truths for all to hear. People would rather not hear them.

I may disagree with how others see the world, but I can't deny that even if they live right next door to me, if they are a different color they have lived in "a different country" than I have, to a degree.

I don't like that thought. But ignoring it doesn't help change it.

Answer 7

I am like you, I agree with everything you said, but in this day and age, Racism is big business, like what religions have become. I am a lot older than you and I have seen it all happen.

It has been my determination, that the people who accuse others of Racism. are in fact the Racists themselves.

If they were not, how could they even be interested in Racism. I peraonally am not interested, so I have nothing to shout about in that area.

In this day and age we have a system called "Afirmative Action" which simply means that the so called Ethnic parts of our culture get first choice at jobs and other benefits.

That in itself is Racism in action. There is nothing affirmative about it, The term is used to make it more palatable to the population at large.
Ability to do a job is in second place and that probably accounts for the sloppy work that is being done by most companies.

If you want a government job, you better be one of the acceptable Ethnics. Check out the mailman and other government jobs to see for your self.

Racism is big buseiness and that is why it was invented. In Congress they have what they call a
Black Caucus, which means that the black representatives get together and try to further thier cause above all else. More Racism at work.

I guess there is nothing that anyone can do about it, so we live with it and just shake our heads.

Answer 8

Because people don't want to believe that there are differences between the races. As soon as you point out that there are, they get angry because it doesn't fit with their world view.

People can't see that it's not a genetic thing. One race isn't more violent than the other or other such stupid stereotypes. However, some cultures resort to violence quicker than others, so it becomes a stereotype.

Children of different races growing up in the same home will turn out relatively similar (as much as any siblings). However there are cultural differences that are handed down through the generations, and that is what makes many people of one race behave in a similar manner.

Many black people I know grew up being told that "whitey" is their enemy and will try to trick them and take advantage of them. It's hard to stop believing something you've been told your entire life. And, if you are looking to prove something, you'll see it more readily than the truth.

Answer 9

Is not to talk about it is to feel it ,what (at least me,) make me angry specially from black people ( woman's). which are more racist than white in this country and I'm Latin..but look like Indian or Arab....just two years living here and ... boy I don't understand how people can live with all this colors and races in mind. Were I came from we are just humans, no colors. This is not a friendly welcome country(like some in Europe, Spain) and I have a theory, it is because of that....US rice there owns enemy's in their own soil.
I just have friends that don't look at your skin, just your soul. The rest I really dont care.....

Answer 10

I think black people are more comfortable talking about race than white people. White people get uncomfortable talking about race because anything a white guy/girl says about race can be taken as racism. You can never accuse a black person of racism though. I always have to watch what I say when talking about race to other people in real life. On the internet though I can speak more freely.