why are so many people offended by this?

Question

I know a lot of people, no matter what race are offended by honest questions about Black people. If they are asking, they really don't know the answer. It's only what they have seen in their own personal experience. So I must ask, WHY TAKE OFFENSE?

I never did post a question about Black people, but I have read some questions others have posted and everyone was all over them for being racist. I perceived those questions as honest ones, really.

Honest, all of those questions are based on stereotypes. All stereotypes are based on facts. If you're offended, oops. I grew up with a lot of racial stuff that hurt me as a White person. Questions like:

Is that your real hair?

I've never seen a grown person with freckles! Why do you have them?

Why are so many white people virgins for so long?

Why do white people start smoking when they're 9?

Why do white people sound so uppity?

And a basic assumption: All white people have money.

See what I mean? We can get offended too, but I know that these questions are asked because they really don't know the answers. So I fake a smile and let it slide. They really wanted to know, and I answered them.

Dymond, it is impossible for a white person to know what it is to be Black. We do not understand what might hurt you or any other Black person. Just like you do not understand what might hurt a white person. I get asked stupid questions actually more often than I ask them. I'm sure everyone thinks I'm racist now. Whatever.

Answer 1

Because racism is still very real, and there are ignorant people in all races. Some might just think you don't respect the hard times their race went through. I have some friends that I can ask questions freely and meet some people that took serious offense. So I turn to the ones that aren't that way and ask them "why". You would be surprised by the answers I've gotten.

Answer 2

In my personal experience if you have a question about another race and you want to ask someone of that race about it, it is best to ask someone that you consider a friend. What I mean is I wouldn't just ask any person the question. I would make sure the person I ask is someone that I am comfortable with and know won't take it as an attack, or me just being a smart ***. I have friends of different races and we joke with each other about stereo types and crap like that. Those are the only people I do that with. There are to many sensitive people out there and you never know who that is going to be till you take the time to get to know them better. If you are just going to ask anyone you have to be prepared to deal with someone else's feelings and how they will perceive what you are asking.

Answer 3

Some people I know try to make racist comments by disguising them as questions....this is why people can become offended. Plus, some questions are just plain stupid & asked out of ignorance rather than genuine curiosity.


Whoah....did you really just say "All stereotypes are based on facts"......wow.....not sure how to respond to such a rude, ignorant & obviously stupid comment.

If that is true then the following MUST be true.....
All blondes are dumb (& sluts).
All white people (including myself) are rich & snobby & don't give a damn about anything but their own life.
All black people roll with gangs & do drugs - oh & are good at basketball.

I could go on all day........do you see what I am getting at here? MOST stereotypes are based on people's fears & prejudices & have nothing at all to do with fact. I think you asked this question so you could tout your own racist beliefs under the guise of "an innoncent question".

Answer 4

You can not be serious with this question.

Let me tell you this, if the questions being asked were not offensive then why do the askers have to ask them on the net? I am sure that they see black people out on the street, so why not just ask one of them; since they are soooo curious *rolls eyes*. ONLY an idiot would find decency in insults and degrading stereotypes. Come on people, get smart, pleeease.

Honest, Qwee, and Sarah had great points.

Answer 5

I , for one, never have an issues with it, but it's easy for people of any race to be offended with questions like that because it tends to require generalizing and no one likes to be put in a box. But if there's no negative intent then you really have nothing to worry about. There will always be someone ready to start something over nothing. Don't let it get to you.

Answer 6

It's true, some people overreact about that sort of question. I think the issue is that they think if they don't speak out against something that could remotely, possibly, maybe be perceived as racist, that they will be assumed to be racist. It's a form of hypercorrection. I think most people honestly don't mind being asked a direct question, if the question if presented honestly and respectfully.

Answer 7

because people are terrified of being regarded as being a racist so people generally back away from the question. i have seen some dumb questions on here though that are clearly rascist. like "Will a black person believe everything you say?" i mean FFS!

Answer 8

I think it's because a lot of us see people as people.
Color is just a thang. :)
We're kind of like m&m's. We're all the same on the inside. So if you ask yourself the same question about white people, black people, brown people, red people, yellow people, or purple people...you'll still come up with the same answer because people are still people no matter what color they are.

Answer 9

I don't think it's offensive my black friends ask me questions about white people

Answer 10

Why are Black people let out the house?

Why do Black people like KFC so much?

Why do Black men have bigger c*cks?

Why do Black people...do anything?

Do Black people wash their hands after using the bathroom?

Why are Black women mean/spicy?

Why do Black girls have WEIRD hair?

Can Black people swim? I heard that they can't.