Internet Anonymity

What is it about supposed anonymity on the internet that leads people to be overly courageous and abundantly foolish? In the months that I have been participating in this experiment called social networking, I have been called more racially derogative names than I have in my entire life. I am leaning toward the idea that people who harbor that mentality are indeed cowards. Cowards? Yes, cowards!  My rationale is that I have yet to be disrespected in a similar manner to my face. but here in the cyber universe such treatment seems to be the norm.  I would add my belief that these individuals are fake and masters at deception.  Why because they would not survive this world with such blatant disrespect to people directly.