Anonymity removes the social inhibitions that normally suppress overt racial prejudice

Evidence

For Whites, societal norms against appearing prejudiced typically deter them from acting out in explicitly prejudicial ways against minorities (Plant, Devine, & Brazy, 2003). However, 911 calls are anonymous, taking these concerns off the table. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 269

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to classic work on deindividuation and online disinhibition — anonymity’s disinhibiting effect has broad literatures beyond race, e.g. troll behavior. — connects to: Modern anonymity does not weaken regard-based social sanctions. — Philip Pettit, Republicanism: A Theory of Freedom and…, 1029; Etiquette-based political silence can conceal racist views from public scrutiny — Nina Eliasoph, Avoiding politics: how Americans…, 295
• CANDY: The neat reversal: the very same norm against being seen as prejudiced, when anonymity is present, no longer constrains behavior at all — a punchy, quotable point.