Quick Poll Results

SmartGirls submit their questions, and we post them! Here are some of the results.

Method:

We posted the following poll on SmartGirl.org:

Quick Poll: Do you think calling people racist is offensive?

larryisnotmyname, age 12

We asked SmartGirls to guess what they thought would be the most popular answer with other SmartGirls:

Prediction: do you think calling people racist is offensive? yes: 13; no: 16.

Most SmartGirls predicted that the most popular answer would be no, that it's not offensive to call people racist.

This chart shows how SmartGirls voted in the poll:

Results: do you think calling people racist is offensive? yes: 15; no: 18

Was the prediction correct?

Most SmartGirls think that it is not offensive to call people racist.

Some SmartGirls gave the following reasons for their vote:

it is offensive to call people racist

larryisnotmyname, age 12, says:
I put this question in. My brother thought I was racist when I chose the color white over red for a sweatshirt. How the heck is that racist?! If I were choosing white over black, then maybe...? But don't call me something I'm not!
Elizabeth, age 19, says:
You're essentially telling them that their worldview is wrong. That doesn't mean that it isn't, but that's not an easy implication to be on the receiving end of.
pianogirl, age 13, says:
Though being racist is a bad thing that people should overcome, people need to respect others. It is an offensive term, but that doesn't mean we should tolerate racism.
Nicki, age 12, says:
It sounds kind of mean to say it out loud.
Sparrow says:
They may not be. Sometimes it is forced upon them.
Taylor, age 14, says:
Racist is a harsh word. To be racist is to hate.

it is not offensive to call people racist

Dria, age 16, says:
If they're being racist, then they bloody well deserve to be called exactly that.
Faye-Emily, age 15, says:
Because by calling someone racist, you're letting them know that what they said sounded racist. Then they can try to change the way they speak or say things.
Michelle, age 11, says:
Because maybe they are.
Bajeeeeeee, age 14, says:
Because if they truly ARE being offensively racist, you have the right to say something.
Nina, age 14, says:
Because if they were racist, they were being offensive. Can you really be offended if you offended someone else first?
bubushka, age 87, says:
Because what if it's the truth?
Anonymous says:
It isn't if they are.
Audrey, age 7, says:
I don't know.