“Black Rage” or Conscious Dream?: A Demographic Profile Of African Americans' Prejudice By David C. Wilson

Blacks' prejudice was measured using an eleven-point index (ranging from zero to ten) of self-reported prejudice against whites. The large majority of respondents chose the lowest value (zero), which might indicate a desire on the part of respondents to deny any prejudice they might hold. Therefore, this measure was recoded to a dummy variable ranging from zero (0 = not at all prejudiced) to one (1-10 rating of prejudice). Although, this lowers the measurement level, it temporarily resolves the skewness problem as well as deals with issues of intensity within the scale (that is, a "5" may have the same meaning as a "7" to some respondents).

Three racial context areas were explored: limited/unequal opportunities; group unfair treatment; and individual unfair treatment (experiences with discrimination). A fourth set of items comprised demographic measures.

Racial context survey items

I would like you to place yourself on a zero-to-ten scale, where "0" means that you are NOT prejudiced against whites at all [NPA] and where "10" means that you are EXTREMELY prejudiced [EP] against whites. Which number would you choose to describe yourself? You can choose any number between zero and ten.

Limited/Unequal Opportunities

In general, do you think that blacks have as good a chance as white people in your community to get any kind of job for which they are qualified, or don't you think they have as good a chance? (Have Chance, Don't Have Chance, DK)

Again, in general, do you think that blacks have as good a chance as white people in your community to get any housing they can afford, or don't you think they have as good a chance? (Have Chance, Don't Have Chance, DK)

In general, do you think that black children have as good a chance as white children in your community to get a good education, or don't you think they have as good a chance? (Have As Good a Chance, Don't Have As Good a Chance)

Group Unfair Treatment

Just your impression, are blacks in your community treated less fairly than whites in the following situations? (Yes, No, DK) How about:

A. On the job or at work

B. On public transportation

C. In neighborhood shops

D. In stores downtown or in the shopping mall

E. In restaurants, bars, theaters, or other entertainment places

Individual Unfair Treatment (Experiences with Discrimination)

Can you think of any occasion in the last thirty days when you felt you were treated unfairly in the following places because you were black? (Yes, No, DK) How about :

A. In a store where you were shopping

B. At your place of work (If employed)

C. In a restaurant, bar, theater, or other entertainment place

D. While using public transportation

E. In dealings with the police, such as traffic incidents

F. Any other situations? What other situation? (Open ended)

Demographic survey items

Employment Status: Are you currently working full-time, part-time, or not employed? (1=Full or Part-Time, 0=Not Employed)

Gender: 1=Male; 0=Female

Age: Please tell me your age.

Education: What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Open ended and coded) (1=LT HS, 2=HS Graduate, 3=Some College, 4=College Graduate)

Income: Is your total annual household income, before taxes, over or under $25,000? (1=Less Than $25K, $25K - Less Than $35K, $35K - Less Than $45K, $45K - Less Than $55K, 5=$55K or more)

Party Identification: In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or Independent? (Other Party, DK)

Survey Items Used to Measure Blacks' Self-Reported Prejudice