Table 3.4A, Explanations for inequality (white respondents).

Question Wording and Notes:

Inequality due to Discrimination (NORC): "On the average, African Americans have worse jobs, income and housing than white people. Do you think these differences are ... mainly due to discrimination?"

1. Yes
2. No

Inequality due to Less Ability (NORC): "Do you think these differences are ... because most African American have less in-born ability to learn?"

1. Yes
2. No

Inequality due to No Chance for Education (NORC): "Do you think these differences are ... because most African Americans don't have the chance for education to rise out of poverty?"

1. Yes
2. No

Blacks Should Try Harder (ISR): "Now looking at the respondent booklet for your choices, here are several more statements. It's really just a matter of some people not trying hard enough; if blacks would only try harder they could be just as well off as whites." A sample size of fewer than 1,000 cases occurred in 2000, when 531 white respondents answered this question.

1. Agree strongly
2. Agree somewhat
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree somewhat
5. Disagree strongly

No Special Favors (ISR): (Same introduction as Blacks Should Try Harder) "Irish, Italians and Jewish and many other minorities overcame prejudice and worked they way up. Blacks should do the same without any special favors." A sample size fewer than 1,000 cases occurred in 2000, when 533 white respondents answered this question. Data for 1998 were collected by a combination of face-to-face and telephone interviews.

1. Agree strongly
2. Agree somewhat
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree somewhat
5. Disagree strongly

Generations of Slavery (ISR): (Same introduction as Blacks Should Try Harder) "Generations of slavery and discrimination have created conditions that make it difficult for blacks to work their way out of the lower class." A sample size of fewer than 1,000 cases occurred in 2000, when 531 white respondents answered this question.

1. Agree strongly
2. Agree somewhat
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree somewhat
5. Disagree strongly