Awareness of inequality does not automatically produce support for equality policies.

Evidence

Because inequality may be explained in many different ways (Apostle et al., 1983), because the extent of the inequality may be misjudged (Robinson, 1983), and because the extent of ameliorative efforts may be exaggerated (Kluegel & Smith, 1982), white awareness of inequality and discrimination does not directly result in support for efforts to achieve equality. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3352 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Research on racial attitudes thus increasingly presents a paradox: Although there is continuing improvement in whites’ beliefs about blacks and support for the general principles of racial equality and integration (Taylor, Sheatsley, & Greeley, 1978), there is pronounced opposition to specific policies aimed at improving the social and economic position of blacks, as well as to participation in social settings where blacks are a substantial majority (Farley, Schuman, Bianchi, Colasanto, & Hatchett, 1978; Smith, 1981). Pettigrew (1979) described this paradox as follows: “white Americans increasingly reject racial injustice in principle, but are reluctant to accept the measures necessary to eliminate the injustice” (p. 119). — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3332 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Public discontent targets inequality but not the threat to democracy itself. — Wendy Brown, Undoing the Demos: Neoliberalism’s…, 411; White awareness of racial inequality does not translate into support for remedies — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3352; Professing belief in equality is insufficient for a practical socialist programme — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 853 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• White awareness of racial inequality does not translate into support for remedies #exemplifies (0.95) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3352
• Whites support racial equality in principle but resist the policies implementing it #exemplifies (0.92) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3332