seems to be such a common prelude to a racist question. Do you think people that start their racist statements/questions with this actually believe that they are not racist?
2007-01-21 23:02:34 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
If I were to speak completely honestly, I'd say (and so would everybody else) "I'm racist, sexist, and generally prejudiced...I try not to be but...."
Of course there's always varying degrees as to how much one is or how ones bigotry manifests itself!
I think most people try not to be...but everybody has their preferences. I eat meat...that doesn't make me "vegan-phobe" although some vegans might think I am.
2007-01-21 23:13:20 · answer #1 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The word "but", used in this context, means "except". I'm not racist, except.... There is an exception being made. I'm not racist, with the exception that..... This means that they think they are mostly not racist. They aren't fooling themselves, they know they have some prejudices. They are hoping to fool you, that's all, because they don't want to be judged for their own prejudices. That would preclude them from standing on the moral high-ground. It is hypocritical to say we have no prejudices. We all have prejudices. As a person who has been on the receiving end, I can say that I would much rather a person said to me, "I just do not understand how your people do this...", than to have someone smile and nod and boast of their friendship with me, and then criticize and ridicule behind my back.
2007-01-22 00:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They may not be racist. If I make the statement, black men excel at sports or Hispanics excel at boxing nobody thinks I am racist. If I said blacks don't do as well in school as whites I would be called a racist pig.
It is alright to complement another race but not make a true statement that is derogatory.
2007-01-21 23:26:47 · answer #3 · answered by e.sillery 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think EVERYONE is racist to some degree. I know there are going to be all so many people who will say I am wrong and what not. But let me ask you ALL this. WOULD ANY person/people here allow their daughter or son to date, have sexual relations, and even marry into another race? If anyone for any reason says no then there is racism even if remotely only a little there is some racism in you. PROUD UNCLE of several Bi-racial (black/white)kids.
2007-01-21 23:12:15 · answer #4 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the reason people say this is...
They mean that they don't believe people should be treated differently based on race,
but they DO believe that races are different (blacks are more athletic, asians more likely to get A's, etc.)
So they say "I'm not a racist, but blacks are way better at basketball." Seems contradictory, but I think it makes sense if you look at it this way. Hope that helps =)
2007-01-21 23:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Steven 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They actually are racists. Their denial of the fact is simply so that you the reader can empathise with them and see things from their (racist) point of view. Someone who is not a racist would frame their question in a better way so they wouldn't have to begin it that way
2007-01-21 23:15:32 · answer #6 · answered by Curious 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think that they believe that they are not racist, but are trying to avoid offending anyone. They are ignorant for thinking that it will work.
I have a guy that I work with that starts out a sentence with "I don't believe in hitting women.....but if that were my wife......"
You know he's a wife-beater!
2007-01-21 23:18:22 · answer #7 · answered by Deadhead Incognito 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, they think that if they say "im not racist but...." they'll get away with whatever they say about someone!
Im not the type to brand the tiniest thing as being racist but i can tell when a line has been crossed!
2007-01-21 23:09:23 · answer #8 · answered by Flower Power 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, they all do. They're probably the same people who are going to vote for the racists at the next election.
2007-01-21 23:06:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
People HAVE to put this before asking almost any question these days as there people like yourself who seem to spend thier whole lives looking out for anything that is non PC!
Get a life you sad sad people.
I'm not a racist BUT!!!!!!
2007-01-21 23:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋