why do so many Americans start their questions with "I'm not a racist but"?

Answer 1

Same reason they start sentences with "Honestly" or "I swear to god".

And it's not just Americans.

BTW, did you know that when someone is being dishonest, they are more likely to invoke the name of god?

Answer 2

If you start a sentence like "I'm not a racist but" I feel it's a good chance you are a racist. Because if you aren't the sentence will end after the word racist. The "but" to me symbolizes that you simply want to try clear the air, but you still have somethings that bother you about other races. It's not all Americans though because many Americans hae mixed families and racism isn't even an issue. So it all depends on what part of the country you're in and how deep the roots of racism run in an individual or family. Racism is taught and passed from generation to generation, that might be why the ones you've encountered behaved that way.

Answer 3

Everyone knows why they do it. Some of these answers are skipping around the truth. They do it because they know if they don't tred lightly or choose their words very carefully, someone will twist what they've said and call them a "racist". It happens everytime. That's how it is in America. Doesn't that sound like a fun place to live? Yes I live here. This country's going to hell rather quickly. It's sad.
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Answer 4

Or "I'm not racist I have [insert race] friends".

It could be they want to ask a question that could be offensive and deemed racist like the ones that ask: "Why do black people have nappy hair or Chinese slanted eyes" which I think are valid WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT question or even "Why are so many black people on welfare" could be deemed racist although I've asked myself that a lot too.

Then there are the "Why are jig.abo.os allowed to walk free" which IS SO racist.

Don't always assume the worse with these disclaimers, they are just trying to watch their backs so to speak.

Answer 5

Because in America they are all about political correctness. To me, There is no such thing as African Americans. If you are black, and born in America, you are American. Just like Hispanic Americans, Hispanic, born here, makes you American. people refuse to believe that. i don't go around saying that i am English American. I was born in America, and my family came from England, but since i was born here i am American. they need to chill out with the political correctness and cowboy up. be an American, by segregating yourself you are only fueling racism!

Answer 6

Because so many people leap to the assumption any question about race that doesn't fit the "whites are bad and minorities are good" mold is racist, and that minorities are above reproach in any way.

Answer 7

because people are hypersensitive to racism. If they are asking a question about a different race they are afraid they will be labeled racist. Too many people are too sensitive and they don't want to offend.

Answer 8

Because they are about to ask a question that they good and well know is racist, but they are trying to put a disclaimer in front of it

Answer 9

Because we are so indoctrinated with "politically correct" thinking that we are afraid of offending anyone... or.. the second more likely reason is that in actuallity the person is really a racist but denying it.

Answer 10

because if you say something negative towards another person who is not your race, others assume you are racist...so if i were to say, "i really hate mark", mark being a black man..someones first response would be, are you racist...so its easier just to save them the time and state beforehand that you are not

Answer 11

It's NOT just Americans who say this. Many in the UK say it too. The important part is that, whoever says it, almosty always IS a racist, they just dont want to be seen as such!