i once read about a cross cultural study where americans were deemed to be the least likely to change their mind even in light of new facts. brits were close behind.
i think it’s something about the way we perceive individualism. that our choices and our opinions are ourselves. we argue as if they were a religion. as if there was always one right way or one right belief. ( ugh. christianity. )
for instance, i heard a great piece this morning on npr about how many people view racism. that it’s not something you do, it’s something you are. so to call someone’s remarks racist is for them to be racist, forever.
but it’s not how most(*) people work. we don’t do the right thing all of the time. we don’t see our privilege all the time. we don’t always understand the effects of our words or actions in the moment.
and so many people (americans) are loathe to say something they did was racist, because if they did, they’re doomed forever.
(*) excluding the donald trumps, richard spencers, and strom thurmands of the world.
