# Characterizing arguments as racist - OK? If not, it should be

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characterizing-arguments-as-racist-ok-if-not-it-should-be/941527>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 6, 2021, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characterizing-arguments-as-racist-ok-if-not-it-should-be/941527 "2021-05-06T14:28:37Z")\
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**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characterizing-arguments-as-racist-ok-if-not-it-should-be/941527/91 "2021-05-12T04:44:53Z")

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> [@RitterSport](#):
>
> If someone claims an argument is racist and explains why, it only takes one reply post to either explain why it’s not or to apologize for being accidentally racist.

There is no requirement to apologize for holding bona fide racist views.

I believe racism is allowed in Great Debates, provided you do not espouse a racial theory of intelligence and avoid use of racial slurs, pejoratives, and epithets. How else could we have topics like “_[Convince me not to be racist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-not-to-be-racist/695781)_”?

~Max

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