Racial perceptions drive political passions independent of policy effectiveness

Evidence

Thus for some whites as well as for some middle-class blacks, perceptions unite with interests and values to create passionate convictions about affirmative action, regardless of whether it “works” or not. No wonder there is a culture war over an issue that directly affects only a small fraction of the American population. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 2018

Categorization

• SEED: An essay angle: why symbolic policies that touch few people directly provoke the fiercest culture wars — the stakes are perceptual, not material.
• XREF: connects to: Race and segregation preoccupied American audiences even in economic policy contexts — Quinn Slobodian, Globalists: The End of Empire and the…, 550; Implicit racial appeals mobilize resentment among liberals as well as conservatives — Rachel Wetts and Robb Willer, Who Is Called by the Dog Whistle?…, 56; Implicit racial appeals boosted liberal support for gun control — Rachel Wetts and Robb Willer, Who Is Called by the Dog Whistle?…, 169 (+1 more)