Politics, race and religion are touchy subjects, but they can also inspire fascinating conversations. CNN iReporters had a lot to say in 2011 — from debates on atheism, gay marriage and interracial relationships to an unlikely Confederate flag controversy in South Carolina. They also took time to comfort a young boy whose father was killed in Afghanistan.
Here’s a look at the iReports that attracted the most comments of 2011:
7. Occupiers take K Street — 627 comments
Armando Gallardo’s dramatic photos of arrests during an Occupy protest in Washington this month inspired a spirited discussion about the future of the Occupy movement and whether the demonstrations were doing more harm than good.
6. Same-sex marriage brings out love and hate in NYCÂ — 673 comments
Julio Ortiz-Teissonniere was outside the city clerk’s office in Manhattan on the first day that New York state allowed same-sex couples to get married. He captured a festive series of photographs as couples smiled and posed while waiting in line as well as pictures of protesters who objected to the ceremonies.The debate on the story was also mixed: Some commenters wished the couples well, while others were upset that the weddings were allowed. But some didn’t see what the fuss was about.
5. Struggles of an interracial couple — 821 comments
Janna Lynn Imel says some of her relatives won’t talk to her because she’s white and her boyfriend is black. She says it hurts that the people she cares about look down on her and even call her names because of her relationship. Her post drew more than 800 comments from others in interracial relationships, people who wanted to offer support and some who tried to explain her family’s attitudes.
4. Judgment Day — May 21, 2011? — 964 comments
Frequent iReporter Greg Reese spotted a billboard that warned the world was coming to an end on May 21, 2011. Reese went to downtown Cincinnati and asked people what they thought. His video sparked a passionate conversation on the Bible and the possibility that Judgment Day was coming. The discussion also got a little silly at times.
3. ‘I will NOT take my Confederate flag down!!!’Â — 1,025 comments
Byron Thomas is a proud Southerner and was upset when the housing office at his college told him not to fly a Confederate flag in his dorm room. He’s also black. His iReport raised questions about race and heritage and whether symbols such as the Confederate flag and the swastika could escape their infamous pasts.
2. Atheist billboard goes up for the holidays — 1,319 comments
Lulis Leal took these photos of an atheist billboard on the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel and said she was surprised how angry it made people. The story got a lot of reaction from Christians as well as from atheists who enjoy the Christmas season. It also inspired us to ask how nonbelievers celebrate the holidays.
1. Son’s tribute to a fallen soldier — 1,714 comments
Braydon Nichols, 10, posted a tribute to his father because he didn’t want people to forget his dad. Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols was one of 38 U.S. and Afghan troops killed when their Chinook chopper was shot down in August. The outpouring of support was heartwarming, with hundreds of comments thanking Braydon for his sacrifice, offering advice and promising never to forget his father. True to their word, many people didn’t forget and posted comments months later because they were thinking about Braydon as school started and during the holiday season.
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