Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences By PHILLIP MILANO
Question
Road rage in California is at an all-time high, and I am part of the problem. I have noticed something, though: When an older white man or woman cuts me off and I go behind them or come up to the side shouting profanities, they look straight ahead as if nothing happened, but Hispanics or blacks are more apt to curse back or follow me. Why is this?
C., 20s, Hispanic, California
Replies
What, should they assume you’re asking them out for tea? You are threatening and provoking a fight. Is it intelligent for a man or woman in that position to accept your challenge?
A. Clark, Salt Lake City
It never ceases to amaze me the racial stereotypes that still exist. I am an African-American male, 6 feet 4, college educated and in my 30s. If you pulled alongside my car hurling threats, etc., I would ignore you, too, and without feeling I was jeopardizing my masculinity.
Roy, 34, New York
You sound like a real scary person to me, C. I’m an old white guy who tries to ignore aggressive behavior. I look straight ahead and go about my business. I’ve also carried a concealed weapon all my life. I have never shot anybody. However, nobody has ever followed me and then threatened my life.
Ron, 60, Stockton, Calif.
C., please consider public transit.
Rick, white, Ohio
My parents meet the criteria [older white people who don’t react], and it’s because they’re afraid of provoking people and think everyone’s going to follow them or shoot them.
Sarah, 18, San Diego
Experts say
From Jerry Deffenbacher, a Colorado State University psychology professor who’s studied angry drivers for two decades:
– Younger drivers (18 to 20) get angrier, are more aggressive and take more risks when driving.
– Young male drivers tend to be more aggressive in expressing their anger. But, to be fair, some studies have found few gender differences at this age.
– Among older drivers, men act with more anger and take more risks than women. However, men in their 40s and 50s do tend to drive greater distances than women, so this might offer them the chance to take more risks.
– No studies he’s done found any racial differences when it comes to road anger and rage.
Here, here, says Todd Wooten, author of White Men Can’t Hump (don’t let the title throw you; it’s a well-reviewed tome that, among other things, examines why some white males have an irrational fear of black males and their aggression).
“It’s a generalization that black or Hispanic drivers are more confrontational. If anything, it’s the younger driver, whatever race, who might be more impatient.
“I’m black, and if the other guy looks ominous, whatever race, I may look straight ahead, too. But overall, if you have anger management issues, if you feel strongly, you’re going to confront someone or react, regardless of their race.”