Why do some people resort to racial slurs when they are angry?

Question

The Richards and Washington slurs have received alot of coverage. When Washington made his slur he commented on a way of life that could possibly be changed. However, the Richards' slur was truly racial in that noone can change his/her race or ethnicity. If they disturbed him when entering, why didn't he say something generic about loud inconsiderate people?

Answer 1

Usually people with no real vocabulary and little education resort to racial slurs. They try to keep the other from noticing their ignorance by trying to evoke an emotional response.

Answer 2

It depends on the person. The most obvious reason, is that person is deep down a racist. Knowing that it is socially unacceptable to show racism, they keep their racist comments under wraps until they get angry or get drunk or otherwise lose control, and the inherent racism pops out.

The other possibility is that the person is trying to make the other person angry, and feels that a slur is the easiest way to get under their skin. Then, the person tailors the slur to person being insulted, which doesn't reflect how he feels about the group as a whole.

Then you have others who are trying to be funny. Since race is a strong taboo, lots of comedians say onstage that would normally be considered offensive. People with less talent say things that are offensive under normal situations that may be meant as ironic and the humor (if any) is lost on the group of people who weren't expecting a comedy routine.

Of course these may be just excuses for real feelings. Given the ease that these reasons could be invoked, I've been somewhat surprised that Michael Richards and Mel Gibson have chosen not to use these excuses, and have taken a more difficult path and opened themselves up for some soul-searching instead.

Answer 3

what is racist? racist is an opinion when it goes against popular belief it is wrong

we s a society are racist, every race color and religon are racist it is just some show it more othes hide behind it

when blacks or whatever word you want to use that is PC make a racist remark it is tolerable because of their suffering well i tell them get over it, i did not whip them or slave them my dad did not nor did my grandfather etc etc I owe nothignto the blakc community they should clean their act up and rise above it but they wont because they use that as a crutch "the man keeps me down, the man is in control etc etc" they have more opps than i do they cna get into free education etc etc

they even get their own month and they start celebrating it in the middle of Jan so they get liek two months what would happen if we had a white month ohhh no that would be racist

i love football and i love the colts and the bears but they made a big deal about two black coaches in the superbowl, seriously i would have never thought that, i looked at it as two good coaches now tell me who promotes racisim

balcks promote it boo hoo

i hate everyone go get a tissue and cry

Answer 4

Because at his core, that's what he believes. I find it very interesting to see how people trip over their own tongues, even when they don't intend to make racial slurs. I am in an interracial relationship and have been for years. Recently I was discussing vacation plans with my insurance agent, who helpfully suggested we visit a particular place where we'd fit right in, and "No one would even notice"..... Ummm.... notice what? That we're different races? How could you NOT notice that? I think the problem comes in when you have a negative opinion about it, not when you "notice" it. I didn't say it, because I find sometimes it's better to turn the other cheek, and I realize he had no ill intent, but sometimes people speak without thinking, and that's where they get in trouble.

Answer 5

Hey Monique! People lash out - it comes from what has been growing or festering inside a person's heart - and the lashing out at others can be revealing! It's like a spot-like on someone's true character! When someone pushes a button and we get angry- there is a flaw in us that is revealed - unfortuanately the target of these outbursts usually becomes someone NOT like us. This keep us feeling safe, apart from, and somehow better than others who are different. We wouldn't target someone like us, or we would be bad-mouthing ourselves!
In reality- it IS ME - my character, and heart that needs the spotlight- so I can see where I am weak, or flawed. Then I find that's where God meets me, since he already knows me! When I am honest about it, and give it over to him (my heart) then the anger goes away - he created me and knows exactly how to fix that flaw! Know Him?

Answer 6

The racial slurs are done out of anger. When people get angry they don't think rationally before speaking; they usually speak the first thought that comes to mind which are unfortunately racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual slurs.

Answer 7

Angry people strike out to hurt others and racial slurs come easily. The only way for most to avoid using them is to avoid becoming angry and keep their head about them. Most angry people let their anger control them and should rather control their own anger.

Answer 8

probably because people are at their worst when they are angry. i don't know the whole story but his behavior sounds like alcohol might have been an ingredient in his state of mind. alcohol and anger can both cause someone to speak without thinking. it's not an excuse, of course, but it really looks like he regrets what he said. at least he had the guts to apologize publicly. sure, he's no abe lincoln, but he's probably not gonna put on a white sheet and hood either. maybe, just maybe he's not such a bad guy. time will tell.

Answer 9

For some reason when a person is angered they truly can't think straight. their brain litterally shuts down the thought process to be rational. when the person being angered looks at the other person and that's all they see, no matter if they are black, white, short, fat, tall or skinny, asian or polka dot. The first thing that will come out of their mouths is the way they look, ex. (you fat B, who do you think you are) See what I mean.

Answer 10

When one is truly angry, just like any other extreme emotion (like the things men say when orgasmic) the brain doesn't work as well at filtering for social acceptance (ie: yelling another woman's name at the wrong moment). Hence, my theory is that during any extreme emotion, one is less likely to control the output and more likely to produce those things they normally keep a lid on.