White opposition to racially targeted policies is substantially racially motivated

Evidence

In conclusion, we hope that the strength of the findings here will lay to rest the notion that white opposition to racially targeted policies is primarily motivated by nonracial considerations, or that any racially based motivation is limited to a few poorly educated ethnocentrics or believers in white supremacy. Racism is considerably more widespread in American society than that; it cannot be reduced to the older forms of prejudice familiar in the pre-civil rights era, and it continues to have quite pervasive effects. It is not a pleasant aspect of our society, but it is not one that should be swept under the carpet, either. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3753

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to symbolic racism theory and debates about whether racism is a peripheral or structural force in American politics; echoes arguments about racism’s pervasive rather than exceptional character that would resonate with readings on implicit bias and institutional racism. — connects to: Whether racism or conservatism drives white policy opposition determines who must change — Christopher Tarman and David O. Sears, The Conceptualization and Measurement…, 34; Perceived white Christian persecution drives opposition to voter access — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian…, 48; The Civil Rights Act empowered white resistance by legitimizing anti-government conservatism. — Kevin M. Kruse, White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of…, 467
• SEED: Angle: ‘Racism as infrastructure, not aberration’ — how claims that prejudice is fading misread a society where racist attitudes remain widespread though transformed in form.