Here is a list of reasons I have used and heard. I do not believe any of them are good reasons, but here they are.
- Don't want to be ostracized by my peers.
- Don't want to argue with family.
- Don't want to "disrespect" an elder.
- Can sympathize with a racist's views i.e. "I used to feel that way."
- Feels like a waste of time to engage with white folks who don't understand basic sociological principles like systemic racism and colonization.
As far as tangible consequences, the only that I have experienced are the loss of a couple of "friends". I know estrangement from family is quite common for openly anti-racist (and pro-LGBT) whites. I have yet to hear of a white person being fired from their job for being openly anti-racist.
So the consequences pale in comparison to the lived experiences of POC.