There's something specifically weird about the way you guys (americans, #notallamericans) handle race threads and or sensitive subjects like feminism etc though. You all seem to whip yourselves into a feeding frenzy ready to chew up and spit out the first person to say something 'wrong' it's kinda weird, off-putting and nuts (and also why I generally don't participate in these kinda things except for euro boards and specifically local ones). No one ever seems interested in having an honest conversation about these things on gaf.
I think it's easily explained by realizing that conversations just largely continue from previous, similar discussions. If this is your first foray into a "race/gender issues" thread, I think it's easy to come into it with an open mind. But after thread #1,423 on the subject, things start to get repetitive. You're either arguing against the same people making the same arguments, or you're arguing against new people making similar arguments. Now, for the latter, it's probably a better idea to sit down and engage patiently in good faith. But I think as the broad conversation goes on and on and on, it gets easier to be more sure of your own view and more cynical about differing viewpoints.
Now, I'm not saying shouting down opinions one doesn't agree with is always the most productive course of action. However, I understand why it happens. Now, there's obviously going to be some difference of opinion in the first place about whether someone's stance is indeed wrong at all, but if you sympathize with the progressive stance on an issue and have dealt with the same types of arguments again and again that have been regarded as dubious at best, then one's ability to bite their tongue and engage earnestly and civilly becomes non-existent.
