According to the "How Do We Know?" feature box, what is the difference between racism and racial resentment? Describe two competing arguments for why whites are less supportive of affirmative action than African Americans

Question

How do opinions about affirmative action differ when respondents are asked if African Americans should be given preference in university admissions, compared to when respondents are asked if universities should make an extra effort to recruit African American applicants? How do opinions differ when respondents are asked if everyone should be given an equal opportunity to succeed, compared to when respondents are asked if African Americans should be given an equal opportunity to succeed due to past racism? Given everything you have learned about public opinion and American political culture, what do you think best explains the reasons for racial differences in public opinions about affirmative action?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An ideal response will:
1, Explain the difference between racism and racial resentment. For example, racism may be freely stated and blunt, while racial resentment is less likely to be expressed openly, and involves more subtlety. Racism is the belief that racial minorities are inferior, while racial resentment criticizes racial minorities for not taking advantage of opportunities. While overt racism is no longer a large part of public discourse, racial resentment remains.
2, Describe arguments objecting to affirmative action. For instance, believing that discrimination against African Americans is not a big problem. Or that African Americans claim discrimination as an excuse for their failures.
3, Describe the counterargument that racial differences in affirmative action policies are driven by ideological predispositions about government. That is, whites in general are just as committed to equality, but are more conservative and want a smaller role for government.
4, Note that whites are much more supportive of affirmative action programs that actively recruit African-American applicants than they are of programs that give special preferences to African Americans in admissions decisions. They are also more supportive of programs that help people in poverty rather than African Americans alone.
6, Use all of this information to make an argument for what best explains racial differences in public opinion. Each student's specific argument will vary, but all should discuss public opinion and elements of American political culture such as individualism and equality.