so, what percentage of americans are racists - your opinions please

[donsu]

I say 70 to 80%

another poster thought 30%

what do you think?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I think it's about 30-35%

[Jed Dilligan]

2. 99% have some view influenced by racism

but only 2-3% are activist racists (KKK, skinheads, etc.)

[baldguy]

17. Yes, all are influenced by our history.

Most consciously make attempts to overcome the darker aspects of our shared heritage.

[Devlzown]

3. I think it's pretty high.

And it's not limited to any specific race either.

[Skinner]

4. Throwing out a number is meaningless.

It all depends on what you mean by "racist."

My opinion is that we probably all harbor some conscious or subconscious biases, including racial biases. So the answer might be 100%.

But I also think that the vast majority of Americans do not actively discriminate, may be aware of their own subconscious biases, and may make an effort to rise above those biases. So the answer might be 5% or 10%.

It all depends on what you mean.

The percentage of Americans who automatically will not even consider voting for an African-American, entirely because of his race? My guess is 10%, tops. But it's just a guess.

[donsu]

11. you know it means racist against blacks in this prez. event

nt

[uppityperson]

19. I agree with you, it depends on what is meant.

"My opinion is that we probably all harbor some conscious or subconscious biases, including racial biases. So the answer might be 100%."

[Selatius]

20. I would say 20% tops, which is still appallingly too high.

But there will always be people who are willfully bigoted.

[fishnfla]

5. 98% hold some sort of prejudice

prejudice based on race? 85%

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. 70% to 80% sounds fine.

But there's a range.

I'd say 30 to 40% are outright white supremacists, who are still against things like interracial marriage.

They vote republican.

The rest don't like to think of themselves as racists, but harbor stereotypes and misperceptions.

Those vote across the board. And would vote for a black candidate, if that's what you're thinking.

[Tyler Durden]

7. I would use the epithet "BIGOTED"

Takes in Race, Creed, Sex and Sexual Orientation.

When you say "Racist," you tend to limit it, consciously or unconsciously to skin color.

[donsu]

12. I am limiting it to skin color

nt

[bryant69]

8. If they aren't racists they are probably assholes in some other way

So it really doesn't matter.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[TahitiNut]

9. My experiences have varied broadly.

Born and (mostly) raised in the Detroit area, I would've said something in the neighborhood of 80% back in the 60s and 70s. For the year or more I lived in Mobile, Alabama, in the 60s, I would've said 90%. When I lived in western New York in the 70s, I would've said about 70%. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area (Sillycon Valley) in the 80s and 90s, I would've said less than 20%. Living in eastern Washington in the 90s, I would've said something like 50%. Back in the Detroit area for the last 5 years, I'm guessing something like 40%.

I base this on the occasional disparaging remark I hear ... and since I'm somewhat actively intolerant of such remarks, it doesn't take long for people to get a cue that they damned well better not spew such vomit around me. So, knowing that anyone possessed of such attitudes who knows me even a little bit would avoid such remarks in my presence, and knowing that (other than family) I don't CHOOSE to associate with people possessed of such attitudes, I arrive at the above estimates.

Clearly, we have an impact on what we see ... if not as much on the reality. Thus, I have some suspicions that those who see the most are either (a) immersed in a community where racism is unavoidable, or (b) aren't speaking out enough, or (c) both.

[donsu]

15. thank you, good thinking

nt

[leftofthedial]

10. No pun intended, but I don't think "racism" is black or white

I think a small percentage are full-on, other-race-hating, KKK-style, full-on total racists--maybe 10% or less. I think there also is a small, but larger, percentage--20%?, who harbor no discriminatory feelings whatsoever.

I think a very large percentage--70%-ish--is somewhere in the middle, with a mixture of racist and not racist attitudes. For example, they might never discriminate against a person from another race in a hiring situation, but do not approve of interracial relationships.

[RaleighNCDUer]

13. Flat out "won't sit at MY table" racists?

Maybe 5%.

General "not comfortable around them but am a bit embarassed by it" racists?

Maybe 40%.

"Keep an eye on those kids" and "should I be scared of that guy walking toward me" racists.

Maybe another 40%.

I suspect that nearly everybody is infected to some degree, many of them at such a sub-conscious level that they don't even know it. But if you're a store clerk and you don't notice the group of white kids that come in and start browsing, but DO notice the group of black kids that come in and start browsing - guess what...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. depends on your definition of "racist"

Here's my breakdown, with definitions:

People who hate other races, think they should be separate, no given equal rights, etc---10%

People who don't hate other races, but think that minorities are catered to and given a more than fair shake--50%

People who recognize racial differences, and have those differences influence them, either positively or negatively, but in a minor way (like deciding on a restaurant based on its location in a city)--45%

I would hope that there would be maybe 5% who are not prejudiced in some way, but this may be merely wishful thinking on my part.

[Orsino]

16. I suspect that we're all genetically hard-wired for racism.

Most of us are civilized enough not to let it out to play much.

[pitohui]

18. you're closer than the 30% person

the 30% person obviously fantasizes that only the harshest bushite buttlicker, the guy who NEVER catches a clue, the guy who still gives bush his 29% approval rating -- that guy is the only racist left standing

that is simply not true, and we all know it, racism is pervasive and even many progressives are racist, even if they are fighting it and trying not to be

there is something in human/animal nature that makes it easier to give preference to our own kind, and i think we all have to struggle with that instinct, we are not yet at a point where we can honestly say "we're all one race, the human race," oh we may say it, but we don't really act like it

[ThomWV]

21. Easily 90%

Ask any black person.