Most Americans believe their fellow
citizens hold strong biases against minorities, according to a
landmark poll by Zogby International commissioned by GSN. The
survey of 10,387 American adults, one of the most comprehensive
ever conducted on prejudice, according to Zogby, explores attitudes
about race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, physical
appearance, and politics. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 1
percentage point.
The “Report Card on American Prejudice” is part
of a wide-ranging effort by GSN to spur a national dialogue on
intolerance and bigotry. The survey’s release provides a powerful
follow-up to the July 17th premiere of the groundbreaking
new television series, “Without Prejudice?” – which airs Tuesdays
at 9 pm (EST) on GSN.
- On Race: While 67% of respondents claimed
to have no preference themselves between a white, black or Arab
clerk in a convenience store, 71% said, “most Americans” would
seek out the white clerk. Just 1% said Americans’ first
choice would be to approach a black clerk, while less than 0.5%
said the same for an Arab clerk. And yet, ironically, 55% of
respondents said race relations have improved over the past
10 years. Other results on race (where respondents picked from
among several races):
- 73% said in the event of a shooting, most
Americans would expect African Americans to be involved
- 55% said in the event of a drug bust, most
Americans would expect African Americans to be involved
- 53% said in the event of identity theft;
most Americans would expect whites to be involved
- 70% said in the event of insurance fraud,
most Americans would expect whites to be involved
- On Political Affiliation: When
asked which political party most Americans believe to be responsible
for many of the gravest problems facing the world:
- War: 62% blamed Republicans vs. 14%
Democrats
- Global Warming: 56% blamed Republicans
vs. 10% Democrats
- Prejudice: 52% blamed Republicans
vs. 22% for Democrats
- Poverty: 49% held Republicans accountable;
29% Democrats
- Corruption: 47% blamed Republicans
vs. 31% Democrats
- Crime: On this issue, respondents
reversed the trend, with 42% blaming Democrats vs. 23% Republicans
- On Religion: By a wide margin, respondents
believe Americans think Muslims are the most likely to engage
in terrorism (83%). Moreover, 42% believe Americans would be
most concerned about their child dating a Muslim; followed by
an atheist (17%), and a Mormon (14%).In addition:
- 37% believe Americans think Catholics are
most likely to be involved in sexual abuse—far more than
any other religious group
- The poll turned up relatively few instances
of Americans believing their neighbors have negative views
toward Jews
- On Sexual Orientation & Gender: 62%
said they believe Americans oppose same-sex marriages. Yet 58%
would elect a gay person for President—about the same as for
an Arab-American (57%), and more than for a person over age
70 (51%), or for an atheist (51%). On gender, 93% think Americans
believe men are most responsible for crime, extra-marital affairs
(82%), and sexually transmitted diseases (72%).
- On Disability: When asked to choose whom
they believe most Americans would least want to
work with, 26% of respondents said someone who is morbidly obese.
Twenty-two percent said someone with a facial disfigurement.
Respondents thought Americans would object much less to deaf
(3%) and blind (1%) co-workers.
Pollster John Zogby said, “Over my years of
polling, I’ve learned that Americans tend to offer socially acceptable
responses when questioned on their own views about race and prejudice.
That’s why in this poll we predominantly asked people about “most
Americans’” views on race and prejudice. We believe this
provides a far more accurate window into how people really think
about these issues. Americans are more forthcoming when discussing
the problem in the context of their neighbors’ lives than in the
context of their own lives.”
John Zogby is President and CEO of Zogby
International.
Click
here to view the entire Zogby/GSN poll.
About the Without Prejudice Project
GSN created the Without Prejudice Project to provide
an opportunity for people across the country to participate in
a thoughtful, productive conversation about prejudice. Using
distinguished pollster, Zogby International, GSN commissioned
a poll designed to explore Americans’ preferences and biases.
The poll findings will serve as a barometer of the country’s tolerance
and a platform for honest discussion. To stimulate the conversation,
GSN will launch a comprehensive project including PSAs, an online
forum (featuring snap polls, blogs, discussion guides and community
building resources from our partners), a PR effort, and print,
TV and online media. GSN is partnering with leading advocacy
groups on the Without Prejudice Project, including NAACP, YWCA,
GLAAD, CAIR and NCLR. To learn more, please visit gsn.com. |