Why is it that whenever someone is defending an action that some find racist/offensive

[venkman]

Why do they always seem to claim, "I have a friend who is _____"

Here is an example. I actually agree with the women that the protester need to get a life, but did she have to use "I have friends who are ____ as a point of defense?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/vid...stume.controversy.kcal

CNN Video

 

[AlienCraft]

Classic innocence by association / deflection ploy.
It's as if they are immune from conflicted emotions / feelings by simple association.

 

[ggnl]

Because racists are usually idiots?

I can say that because I have friends who are racists.

 

[spidey07]

It's because they can see both sides and understand both sides. That way they can make in informed opinion and their opinion is to be trusted more than the parrot that just cries "bigot, that's igno'ant!".

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Because "How could I possibly be racist, I have black friends? If I were racist, I wouldn't like black people, and wouldn't have black friends," seems like a logical argument on the outside. The problem with this line of thinking is that it is possible to have prejudices and still maintain relationships with individuals who would fall under those prejudices; they aren't mutually exclusive. But to people who don't want to take the time to reason that out, "I can't be a bigot, I have a ____ friend," seems like a perfectly reasonable line of defense.

 

[BoomerD]

Maybe because not all racial prejudices or belief in racial stereotypes is bigotry/racism.

"Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: \'bi-g?t\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance"

"Main Entry: rac·ism
Pronunciation: \'ra-?si-z?m also -?shi-\
Function: noun
Date: 1933
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination."

True bigotry and/or racism goes way beyond simple prejudice. Those generally bring a feeling of superiority and often hatred for the "inferior races or religions."

Prejudice is (usually) judging a person by the color of his skin or religion. While one can lead to the other, IMO, a person can have prejudices with out being a bigot/racist.

A person may be prejudiced without being a bigot/racist. They are NOT the same.

 

[mugs]

She did surprisingly well for a "man on the street" interview. Usually those people just look like idiots.

I think it's funny that they're protesting an event that symbolizes unity between native Americans and european settlers.

The old lady's native American friends probably DID think the protests are ridiculous.

 

[Double Trouble]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Because "How could I possibly be racist, I have black friends? If I were racist, I wouldn't like black people, and wouldn't have black friends," seems like a logical argument on the outside. The problem with this line of thinking is that it is possible to have prejudices and still maintain relationships with individuals who would fall under those prejudices; they aren't mutually exclusive. But to people who don't want to take the time to reason that out, "I can't be a bigot, I have a ____ friend," seems like a perfectly reasonable line of defense.

That would be your interpretation. To me, the logic of saying "if I were a racist or bigot and prejudiced against some race, I would not choose to have friends of that race" makes perfect sense. It's only to the hyper sensitive politically correct people that it doesn't.

 

[DayLaPaul]

I don't see what the big issue is, don't these Native Americans have anything better to do than picketing an elementary school?