Does Racism Exist for Middle-Upper/Upper Class Americans?

[Anonymous]

DH and I were discussing this--he thinks not, I do. But, in trying to convince him, I had few examples on which to draw. Am I wrong? He says that the fact that we have an Af Am president shows that the vast majority of Americans are not racist anymore. What do you think? Can you link any recent studies about this one way or the other?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Of course it does. The Tea Party and this very board prove it.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Your DH is an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I think your DH is out of touch with reality.

[Anonymous]

Depends how you define racism. Here are some options:

rac·ism
? ?/?re?s?z?m/ Show Spelled[rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

For definition 1, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a real life example of an UMC/UC American that would say they believed that in conversation with someone they didn't know well and trust (I am excluding all talking-heads). But that doesn't mean some people aren't thinking it. For definitions 2 and 3, look around your typical UMC/UC neighborhood, workplace, school, local park, etc. What you'll see in most cases is a serious lack of diversity, do you think that is because non-whites don't want to be there or because of the strong legacy of racism in this country and/or some people's intolerance?

[Anonymous]

OP here, to clarify. DH argues that socioeconomic class is more important than race. So, a black person who is wealthy and well-educated is not going to face discrimination (e.g., lack of job opportunities) as a result of his race.

Does anyone have actual studies that I can show DH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, to clarify. DH argues that socioeconomic class is more important than race. So, a black person who is wealthy and well-educated is not going to face discrimination (e.g., lack of job opportunities) as a result of his race.

Does anyone have actual studies that I can show DH?

I know a lot of wealthy black people. The young adults still get eyed with suspicion by police and in retail establishments, regardless of income or wealth. And they are aware that many people think their impressive business/law/undergrad degrees must have come through affirmative action. I think it's racist to assume that an AA with degrees from Harvard and Stanford must have had help. Also, AA's face workplace discrimination. The resume studies demonstrate it quite convincingly. These are the studies where identical resumes are circulated, but with names that appear to be AA in one case and then changed to a "white" sounding name in another. You can also look at studies of mortgage lending. Those tend to show that even after controlling for income, and even among upper income levels, blacks are less likely to receive prime mortgages. Given that income is a prime driver of suitability for a loan, that's a pretty quantifiable measure of discrimination by lenders against blacks.

[Anonymous]

just look up the term 'driving while black.' cops may see the skin color and don't care about the JD, MBA, PhD, etc. yes, this even happens to women because cops don't understand how they could drive such a nice car unless they stole it.

there are so many subtle ways, too, like being seated in the least desirable part of the restaurant, or hearing a store clerk greet everyone except you or wondering why your child (even at a prestigious school, and especially your male child) is labeled slow or mouthy or just not as smart as the rest.

your husband has to be a special kind of stupid to think money always trumps race. does he have any well-to-do friends of color? I am guessing not because they would have clued him in long ago.

[Anonymous]

What about for Asians or light-colored Hispanics? Are they in a different category of racism?

I agree that racism against blacks in this country is quantifiable, but what about "model minority" Asians?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your DH is an idiot.

DITTO.

[Anonymous]

"your husband has to be a special kind of stupid to think money always trumps race"

Ditto. Does he watch the news?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just look up the term 'driving while black.' cops may see the skin color and don't care about the JD, MBA, PhD, etc. yes, this even happens to women because cops don't understand how they could drive such a nice car unless they stole it.

there are so many subtle ways, too, like being seated in the least desirable part of the restaurant, or hearing a store clerk greet everyone except you or wondering why your child (even at a prestigious school, and especially your male child) is labeled slow or mouthy or just not as smart as the rest.

your husband has to be a special kind of stupid to think money always trumps race. does he have any well-to-do friends of color? I am guessing not because they would have clued him in long ago.

At a conference/speech Justice Clarence Thomas stated that he was pulled over for DWB and that he understood the phenom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just look up the term 'driving while black.' cops may see the skin color and don't care about the JD, MBA, PhD, etc. yes, this even happens to women because cops don't understand how they could drive such a nice car unless they stole it.

there are so many subtle ways, too, like being seated in the least desirable part of the restaurant, or hearing a store clerk greet everyone except you or wondering why your child (even at a prestigious school, and especially your male child) is labeled slow or mouthy or just not as smart as the rest.

your husband has to be a special kind of stupid to think money always trumps race. does he have any well-to-do friends of color? I am guessing not because they would have clued him in long ago.

At a conference/speech Justice Clarence Thomas stated that he was pulled over for DWB and that he understood the phenom.

While I was in law school in NY, a few classmates had the pleasure of being stopped for 'walking while black' if they left the library too late at night. Being well-dressed or nerdy or carrying books or walking with friends, etc. -- none of it made a difference and none of it protected them from some sort of suspicion while simply walking to the subway. It was an eye-opener for me.

[Anonymous]

AA mom here. Do DH and I have multiple Ivy league degrees, a lovely house in a majority white neighborhood, and great credit? Sure. Do I sometimes walk into meetings and have white men think I am there to take the meeting minutes? You bet. It is teh subtle assumptions that don't go away, no matter how successful you are.