why do so many racists insist that they are not racist?

Question

If they know it is unacceptable, why not just not be racist, rather than just say they aren't?
They can't honestly believe they aren't can they? I see it all the time here on answers, "I'm not racist but" and other such silly disclaimers, I am a canadian, so maybe I'm missing something here, having so little experience with racism...

jackie l - duh, no, we aren't racist, we don't HAVE black history month because we don't need it, having no race issues to overcome, of course all kinds of various races have been welcomed at our table, it's not really something we pay attention to here. and the mexican border is south of the states, we are north, so obviously we are in no position to help the mexicans - Get some education, you should be terribly embarrassed!

Answer 1

Denial is a sad, sad thing.

Answer 2

First of all most racist neither belive racism is unacceptable or that it even exists. Some people live in denial- you can't be racist if racism isn't real. Some don't acknowledge themselves as being such a thing because they don't care. It differs from person to person, but this is the case with many.

Answer 3

I get called racist all the time for stating facts, facts are undisputable and cannot be racist, opinions can. If they don't like the facts you present they call you a racist. It is just a kneejerk reaction because it is easier than putting together a logical argument.

Answer 4

As soon as you say something negative about a certain person of another race, (something they actually did) people will label you a "racist" ...close their ears and put "blinders" on.
Welcome to the cruel world.

EDIT:
Some of those people you speak of....are truly denying what they are.
Others that are'nt "racist"....worry about being labeled as one. (as stated above...it happens)

Answer 5

Um, exactly what makes you a better judge of whether someone is racist than they themselves are? Your idea of racism may be quite different form someone else's. It's not well, um, a black and white question. ;)

I find that many minorites' views are "coloured" by their persecution complex. Conversely, whites sometimes exhibit racist behaviour without being aware of it or even believing that it is racist.

Answer 6

oh i think we're all born racist, part of the "cooperate with your own tribe, compete with the other tribe" evolutionary dictum

facing my own racism was a revelation, having decided that's what other people had

seeing it allowed me to relax a bit and trust that it didn't mean i had to act or speak from that pov

Answer 7

Some people aren't willing to admit that they are racist.

Answer 8

Why do so few people admit to being ignorant, we both there are a lot of them out there. It is the same reasoning.

Answer 9

Nobody likes to admit they are racists.

Its an ugly term.

Answer 10

Senor, I do not understand your question . . . most of the driver's in the Daytona 500 tell people they are racists . . .

Answer 11

I AM SO SICK OF HEARING THIS CRAP IF YOU DONT LIKE BLACK PEOPLE YOU ARE A RACIST!! THATS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO USE SOMETHING AGAINIST WHITE PEOPLEWHAT IS THE WORD IF THEY DONT LIKE US! MOST OF THEM DONT AND ARE TO CHICKEN TO ADMIT IT....I DONT LIKE EVER BLACK PERSON I HAVE MEET THEY ARE RUDE HAVE NO RESPECT FOR OTHERS LIE STEAL AND STAB YOU IN THE BACK THE FIRST CHANCE YOU GIVE THEM!! I DONT LIKE SNAKES EITHER DOES THAT MAKE ME A SNAKIST? I DONT LIKE SPIDERS NOW I AM A SPIDERIST?? OH COME ON...........