Are U.S. Catholic readers racist? In a survey of our readers, they come clean about their own attitudes and share strategies for fighting the evil that still plagues our country--and our church. (reader survey).

IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT FEW, IF ANY, U.S. CATHOLIC readers are members of the Ku Klux Klan. They don't use the "N" word or tell racist jokes--at least not in polite company. They don't belong to all-white country clubs.

But--like many Americans--they get nervous when a group of young, black kids walks behind them on a dark street. They tend to live in de facto segregated communities where contact with people of other races is rare if not nonexistent. Many still see people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds as "other."

In a survey of U.S. CATHOLIC readers about their attitudes on racism, a majority (67 percent) were honest enough to admit that they have unwittingly held race-based assumptions or stereotypes. A small number (2 percent) even confessed to knowingly expressing racist thoughts from time to time.

"Anyone who believes racism doesn't exist in America is quite naive," says Phil Oliveto of Rochester, Minnesota.

The survey respondents were anything but naive. More than half describe racism as a "big problem" in the United States, and another 10 percent say it's this country's biggest problem. While admitting that some strides have been made, a large number of respondents believe that racism is just as bad today as it was 20 years ago--it's only more subtle and difficult to detect.

"Because it's now politically incorrect in many circles to be racist, it's difficult to tell if people are just secretive about it or genuinely not racist," says Jeanne Manzer of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

One caveat: The survey results are hardly representative of the diversity of the Catholic Church. The survey was sent to a random group of subscribers, but 90 percent of respondents were white. Another 5 percent refused to give their race or ethnic group. Only 5 percent identified themselves as belonging to a so-called minority racial or ethnic group.

White readers seemed very aware of their privilege--86 percent agreed that white people in the United States enjoy more subtle privileges that people of color do not. Still, "too many people feel that if they are not actively racist, they do not share in the problem," says a Massachusetts reader.

Ruth Kolpack notes that most Christians try to avoid overt prejudice and discrimination. "But as a person born into a system that provides me with `white privilege,' I have to be alert to how I can be contributing to racism through my participation in institutional structures," says the Beloit, Wisconsin resident.

The roots of racism

Some of the most poignant responses were stories from readers who described their own personal experiences of growing up in racist families or struggling with ingrained prejudicial attitudes.

Deborah Osuch of Fairhaven, Massachusetts says she was raised by a prejudiced father and a tolerant mother. "I have always tried to be `not racist' but admit to fear and stereotyping beliefs, which I have pretty much kept to myself," she says. "But my children are not racist, so there is hope."

Growing up in a rural community, Patrick Vallimont was unaware of racism until later in life when he talked frankly with friends who had to live with that reality every day. "To live with a constant awareness that people size you up just because you're black, yellow, Hispanic, or Jewish is a difficult cross to carry and must be very frustrating."

Pat Saunder of Henrietta, New York was one of the 23 percent who checked the "not racist" box in the survey. "I don't believe an entire class of people should be blamed for the heinous acts of a few," she says. But she confesses that if she were to notice two or more obviously Arab men getting on a plane, she'd be tempted to cancel her trip. "Fear is a powerful emotion."

Fear--of the unknown, of change, of job loss--is at the root of racism, concluded many survey respondents. Others noted that people who are racist also tend to be closeminded, ignorant, and lack self-esteem. These traits, unfortunately, are too often passed from one generation to another, resulting in a "family indoctrination" into racist attitudes and beliefs.

But some wonder if fear of the "other" might be built into our DNA. "It's rooted in human nature to be fearful or have negative emotional reactions to those who are different in color, wardrobe, values, and customs," says Charles Callaci of Chino Hills, California.

"We seem to have a natural tendency to be wary of anyone who is `different,'" agrees Patricia Sandstream of Sterling Heights, Michigan. "But the reality is that all human beings are by nature far more alike than we are different."

Others identified the economic roots of racism, noting that poverty might be a bigger stumbling block than race. "I think racism is more of an economic phenomenon," says Bob Reifenberg of Seffner, Florida. "Not many people mistrust someone of a different race if they live a lifestyle similar or better than their own."

Ignorance is not bliss

By far one of the biggest contributing factors to racism is Americans' lack of contact with people who are different. "We are all God's children but do not know one another well enough to believe it," says Deacon Bob Whitfield of Derwood, Maryland. "Socializing and group gatherings melt away differences."

That's why Jacki Cola of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina intentionally chose an ethnically diverse Catholic parish. "What a change from our `white bread' parish in Ohio," she says. "It's wonderful to have all these people worshiping together."

But too often parishes are bastions of uniformity. "Single-ethnic parishes can be a source of great strength, but they also tend to exclude," notes one reader.

And many people don't have the option of choosing an ethnically diverse parish. "Because I live in a rural area that is mostly white, we lack the experience of diversity," says Frances Bertoldi of Iron Mountain, Michigan, who admits her views about African Americans come from the media, especially television-certainly not the best source of nonstereotypical depictions.

A tale of two societies

When asked about the most tragic, enduring, or symbolic displays of racism in this country, many readers cited obvious examples, such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Confederate flag, racial profiling by law enforcement, and personal attacks on people of color.

But the most-mentioned evidence of racism, according to survey respondents, are the poverty and poor schools in the inner cities. "There are blatant displays of racism in the inner city where people of color have inferior schools and housing, are stuck in a cycle of poverty, and have to experience violence and the drug culture," says an Ohio reader.

Other readers mentioned examples of institutionalized racism, such as the disturbing statistics about the high percentage of black men incarcerated or on death row or the assumption by white Americans that the majority of welfare recipients are black.

Another respondent summed it up: "There are two societies: one more affluent and predominantly white; the other less affluent and predominantly black."

Although racism continues to be predominantly a "black-white" issue in this country, several readers noted examples of racism against other ethnic groups. "Since the tragedy of September 11, people tend to think all Muslims are evil and terrorists," says Deacon Robert Olson of Mandan, North Dakota. "And here in North Dakota, people think all Indians are lazy or are drunks."

Sports teams with Native American mascots also are evidence of racism. "Most people I know don't have a problem with this because they don't realize how racist it is," says Cathy Petersen of Catawba, Wisconsin.

The Catholic Church, unfortunately, is not always exempt from exhibiting racism. One reader opined that "Catholics aren't any more or less racist" than other Americans.

"In the area of race relations, the church has reflected the mores of the communities in which it is located and has not provided much leadership," says Gerald Hagan of Savannah, Georgia.

Only 8 percent of the respondents think racism is not a problem in the church, while the majority (78 percent) labeled it "one problem among many." One percent called it the biggest problem, while another 13 percent said it is "one of its biggest problems." (Several added that sexism is a more pressing issue for the church.)

One in Christ Jesus

Yet many U.S. CATHOLIC readers had no trouble finding teachings, insights, or lived examples from their faith that were relevant to the racism issue. Most frequently cited were the teachings of Jesus, especially his commandment to "love one another as I have loved you."

"Christ often recognized, spoke with, and associated with people who were different," says a California reader. "We should do no less." Paul Fordyce of Spokane, Washington finds the teaching that "we are all made in the image and likeness of God" helpful in dealing with issues of race. Several respondents mentioned the scripture passage, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

Others pointed to Jesus himself. Jane Ungari of Glenview, Illinois gains insight from the fact that "Jesus was a Middle Eastern Jew, not the lily white man the church has historically pictured him to be." Father Bob Meissner of Bay City, Michigan, agrees: "Jesus was not a WASP!"

Other inspirations from the Catholic tradition include saints such as Martin de Porres, who was black, and Katharine Drexel, who founded schools for African Americans and Native Americans. Some Catholics also find hope in the lived examples of church leaders, priests, and religious who work to fight racism and minister to African Americans.

Even more inspiring can be the examples of people of color themselves. "The patience and tolerance of many black people often amazes me," says Franciscan Father Donald Blaeser of Countryside, Illinois. "I wonder if many white people in similar situations would act with such grace."

A minority viewpoint

Though their numbers were small, a few readers thought the whole discussion about race was much ado about nothing. "We spend too much time on race," says James Gray of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "After all, we are all one people, one race, one language, one culture. E pluribus unum."

A few respondents thought people of color needed to take some share of responsibility for the enduring problem of racism. "Black people need to look at their culture and see how they might be perpetuating the myths," says one reader.

"The likes of Jesse Jackson playing the `racism card' in situations where it isn't appropriate is as divisive as whites who blatantly discriminate against blacks," says an Illinois reader.

A few took issue with affirmative action or with the reparations movement. "I think America's solutions to racial inequality are flawed, though well-intentioned," says Robert Grijalva of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who is of Asian and Hispanic background. "For example, affirmative action is a failed policy and especially in colleges serves to set up many an unprepared student for failure."

A New York reader had strong feelings about reparations. "I admit I sometimes do stereotype black people. But I'm tired of hearing what `we' did to them over 100 years ago. My Polish ancestors also bore the brunt of prejudice and bias when they came here. I don't expect reimbursement for their wrongs."

Many readers note that racism seems to be declining with each passing generation. "My mother-in-law used to say integration wouldn't work until her generation was gone," says a Virginia reader. "But sometimes I wonder if prejudice will ever go away."

Priscilla Collier of Whitehouse, Texas is more optimistic. "It is up to us to break that chain and teach our children otherwise," says the mother of three daughters who has tried to do just that.

Deacon Leonard L. Patrie of Rouses Point, New York believes there's hope for future generations. "After all, babies aren't born racists."

AND THE SURVEY SAYS ...

1. How big of a problem is racism In the United States?

56% A big problem, one of the biggest we face.

30% A moderate problem, less Important than others.

10% Probably the biggest problem, the root cause of many other social ills.

2% Not much of a problem at all.

2% Other.

2. It's not enough for Catholics to be "not racist." Any Catholic who abhors racism should also be actively Involved in fighting it.

agree       82%
disagree     6%
other       12%

Note: Table made from bar graph

3. I think most of the racism in this country is:

72% Indirect and unintentional, based on cultural assumptions and unwitting stereotypes.

15% Institutional, as the result of policies and social institutions that discriminate.

5% Direct and intentional, meant to harm or demean.

8% Other.

This results are based on survey responses 198 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and Web site visitors-- 179 of whom are white.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to handle racist remarks

When someone cracks a racist joke or makes an offensive comment about a racial or ethnic group, most U.S. CATHOUC readers respond by not responding. The most common answer to this survey question was "do nothing" or "walk away." Those who do challenge such people do so gently.

"I try to counter it with a polite remark," says Donald F. King of West Dover, Vermont Others say they express their displeasure with silence or by removing themselves from the situation. Getting into a debate can be counterproductive, several respondents to the survey say. "It does no good to argue with a racist," says a Connecticut reader.

But some Catholics feel guilty for not standing up to people who make racist comments. "I usually don't remark on it, but afterwards I stew about my inaction," says a reader from California. "By letting remarks pass, I seem to be condoning racism, which I absolutely don't"

A few readers choose reflection over confrontation. A Dominican nun says she examines her own conscience to consider whether she's ever made a similar comment. And Father William Hibbert, an Episcopal priest in Rapid City, South Dakota, prays for both the person making the racist remarks and for the individual or group on the receiving end of those comments. --HS

HEIDI SCHLUMPF, associate editor of U.S. CATHOLIC.