Why is it so easy to dismiss someone as a racist if they disagree with you?

Question

Is it because you really have no argument and it is a 'quick fix' rebuttle? Or could it be that you are infact the one who is racists?

To the first two answerers: Like I said it must be because you have no real argument

cmac: I am not interested in the traditional definition of racist. I am talking about the current use of the word as it is use to dipict someone as a bigot or a hate monger. I am also talking about how pro-illegal immigrant groups and supporters use the word when ever you debate them about illegal immigration. I am, in fact, no way a racist. I have black friends and brown friends. I don't judge people by race. The only people who call me racist are the ones who have no real argument and are ignorant fools. Thanks for the answer though:)

cmac: "people are probably calling you racist because you debate them as an adversary instead of trying to hear them out and understand where they are coming from"
I understand their argument fully and honestly I have compassion for them but that does not relieve the fact that they are a huge problem. Comprehensive immigration reform is a joke. I would support giving these people citizenship if I knew that the wall was built and enforcement was first priority and we would not have to deal with this p[roblem again

Answer 1

It's an ad hominem attack. It's the easiest dirty-trick in debate.

I say " I don't agree with Affirmative Action"
You call me a racist.
Then, instead of defending my argument, I am trying to defend myself against the personal attack, which is much more difficult because I wasn't prepared for it.

Answer 2

Not sure what sparked your ranting, but let me help you with a few things. First of all most people who use the word racist don't even know what the word means. The dictionary gives a very general meaning of someone who believes that racial differences contribute to one being better than the other. However the true origin of racism and being a racist comes from people who wanted to suppress and dominate other people. Anyone who tries to suppress and dominate others based upon what we call race is a racist. You can't just throw the term around, but people do due to ignorance.

The idea of race is a social construct to begin with. There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of race. No matter what a person may look like on the outside, people are all the same on the inside. If you take two people from two different so called races and perform a transplant the criteria has nothing to do with what they look like on the outside. It has to do with their blood. Your blood is genetically determined.

Not to digress, but genetically we are all linked so the whole idea of race is absurd. Though it has become a part of our common speech, and thus used wrong like so many other words.

You are probably not a racist, but It sounds like you are prone to discriminate against people of other viewpoints than your own. Don't know for sure cause you really didn't tell us where this question is coming from.

To answer your obtuse question as best I can, people are probably calling you racist because you debate them as an adversary instead of trying to hear them out and understand where they are coming from. If you try to identify with the person you are speaking with you may actually learn something; and conversely they may actually listen to what you have to say and learn something from you as well.

Answer 3

Well on this issue in particular, it really annoys me for anyone to even mention racism because "illegal immigrant" is NOT a synonym for any one particular nationality of people. I repeat, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT does not automatically mean Mexican even though they have the greatest opportunity & hence, numbers.
There are illegal immigrants from Ireland for heaven's sake!

I think sometimes we react to the idea that people may come here and expect us to translate everything into their language and not make any effort to learn English, something not the case for certain peoples, like those Irish and other nations that offer English in their school systems, and that reaction is further translated into the idea of "racist," erroneously, when for many people it is considered a matter of $$$ since translation costs taxpayers $$$ and is unfair to other nationalities.

Answer 4

It is mental laziness.
An easy out.
If you speak in generalities about ANY group that is not the majority, you will be branded as a sexist, racist, bigoted, homophobe. You must take care to give long-winded and detailed answers or the label will be guaranteed.
The label DEMAGOGUE should be applied to those who are too lazy to speak to the issue and just toss out labels.
THEY are the truly guilty, because it is an effort to say "No matter how valid and truthful your argument is, you are WRONG and you are wrong for the reason I just labeled you with!"
Mentally bankrupt is what it is.

Answer 5

If you state a fact or statistics about race, then you must be a racist. If you look for a radical Muslim that was seen bombing a building and question middle eastern people you are racial profiling. If you are a white cop in a black neighborhood looking for a black man seen robbing someone, you are racial profiling and a racist. Now if you are a black or Hispanic cop looking for a white man seen robbing a jewelry store in Beverly Hills, you are a smart cop. Moral of the story, you can only be a racist if you are white. And your rights can only be violated if you are not. And I am sick as hell of it.

Answer 6

I hope Layne is joking.
Both plus some more. In the Immigration section, I see a girl who is accused of being racist, because of her stance on illegal immigration. SHe got tired of it and defends herself by stating she's married to a Hispanic. THen she gets attacked for often stating this. It's one side using a technique to prevent any true discussion, Trying to get an unfair advantage, rather than discussing an issue with logic. I would like to see the Presidential debate make such arguements. THey discuss an issue of the economy, and the other just scream racist.

IBD1 please change your name. When I see it, I think of Irritable bowel disorder.

Answer 7

If you're called a racist because you don't support people breaking the law, then there can only be one reason for that:
Because the person calling you a racist knows their argument is flawed and knows that your FACTS will support your argument.

It's just like when the "Race Card" was played at OJ Simpson's Trial, his attorneys knew that was the only way he could be found not guilty.

Answer 8

i do not agree.

one time I asked a question on why people always have to assume that when you talk about "illegal" immigration, you have to talk or bash Mexican people or Mexico. and some idiots were bashing me, and told be to go back to Mexico if I "Loved it so much." I was born here in the US, I am Hispanic American and I was only defending people from discrimination, and I guess they did not want to hear the truth. people are ignorant and plain dumb.

Answer 9

Yes racist is a terrible word that is used as a means of silencing anyone who happens to have a view point on a race that is not of that of the person in question. But it doesn't silence me. I have my views and nobody can take that away from me unless they want to try and kill me. Let them try. I don't want to live forever.

Answer 10

Yes! It's easier to judge someone before you meet them than to be disappointed later. I've been treated unfairly many times and I didn't deserve it but because I'm white, I'm the B*tch who is against anyone who isn't white. I fought for all of my employees the same, on merit and anyone who has ever been under my management would tell you so if they were here. I don't judge people that is up to God and I want God to judge me as gently as I've treated others.