A product of their environment.
This is often the ticket out given to discussions that pertain to sensitive issues. Political correctness has made it almost impossible to bring up some topics without reverse discrimination.
You have to dance around subjects so you can stay on a path that does not portray you as a bigot.
In addition to this, if we are discussing race as an example. If I were to say black...oh. no, African Americans. They are the topic of discussion. By directing the point towards African Americans, one would be most often be mistaken for considering ALL African Americans part of the issue. Often then one is ostracised, do to the fact he or she would be considered one who is strongly partial to ones own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ. Of coarse if the issue in concern is "bad".
And it does have to be race. But I reiterate that if you bring up a point about politicians, a race, gays, minorities, all those sensitive issues, a counter argument would be a product of the environment.
I believe that a product of the environment is the case for many examples. IMO... I don't believe it to be mostly true. But you can't bring to the table an opposing argument without the above issues muddling up the process.