Prejudice alive and well in America

Zogby/GSN poll outlines report card on prejudice

WASHINGTON, D.C.-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 plus or minus one 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. Observers say the survey's release provides a powerful follow-up to the July 17 premiere of the ground- breaking new television series, "Without Prejudice?" which airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on GSN.

On Race: While 67 percent of respondents claimed to have no preference themselves between a white, black or Arab clerk in a convenience store, 71 percent said, "most Americans" would seek out the white clerk. Just one percent said Americans' first choice would be to approach a black clerk, while less than 0.5 percent said the same for an Arab clerk. And yet, ironically, 55 percent of respondents said race relations have improved over the past 10 years. Other results on race (where respondents picked from among several races) revealed that:

• 73 percent said in the event of a shooting, most Americans would expect African Americans to be involved.
• 55 percent said in the event of a drug bust, most Americans would expect African Americans to be involved.
• 53 percent said in the event of identity theft; most Americans would expect whites to be involved.
• 70 percent 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 percent blamed Republicans vs. 14 percent Democrats.
• Global Warming-56 percent blamed Republicans vs. 10 percent Democrats.
• Prejudice-52 percent blamed Republicans vs. 22 percent for Democrats.
• Poverty-49 percent held Republicans accountable; 29 percent Democrats.
• Corruption-47 percent blamed Republicans vs. 31 percent Democrats.
• Crime-On this issue, respondents reversed the trend, with 42 percent blaming Democrats vs. 23 percent Republicans.

On Religion: By a wide margin, respondents believe Americans think Muslims are the most likely to engage in terrorism (83 percent). Moreover, 42 percent believe Americans would be most concerned about their child dating a Muslim; followed by an atheist (17 percent), and a Mormon (14 percent). In addition:

• 37 percent 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 percent said they believe Americans oppose same-sex marriages. Yet 58 percent would elect a gay person for president-about the same as for an Arab-American (57 percent), and more than for a person over age 70 (51 percent), or for an atheist (51 percent). On gender, 93 percent think Americans believe men are most responsible for crime, extra-marital affairs (82 percent), and sexually transmitted diseases (72 percent).

On Disability: When asked to choose whom they believe most Americans would least want to work with, 26 percent 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 (three percent) and blind (one percent) co-workers.

"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," said pollster John Zogby. "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."

Dena Kaplan, GSN's senior vice president for marketing, said, "Our network is proud to sponsor the Without Prejudice Project. This pioneering effort-which includes the poll, partnering with leading advocacy groups and the broadcast of our new game show, 'Without Prejudice?'- will help provoke a constructive national conversation about our innermost feelings toward race, religion and other issues that define the way we, as Americans, treat one another."

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, 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, visit http://www.gsn.com/withoutprejudice/.

This is part of the August 1, 2007 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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