It usually is TRUTH which evokes strong reaction.
There was a guy on Hannity and Colmes the other night who has gotten into hot water for the same thing...suggesting that there is something dysfunctional in much of the black community. It isn't racism to point it out, but sincere concern that a community of people not be victimized by their own low expectations of behavior.
...even Bill Cosby has gotten raked over the coals for speaking such truths.