Marco Gomez

Marco Gomez: 600 words

Modern Racism on Campus: A Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions

This study examines the differences in attitudes and perceptions of white and black students when dealing with modern racism.  The goal for the study is to better understand the characteristics of racism and work to achieve a possible resolution.

Methods in this study were gathered from a survey done at James Madison University. The survey was developed to measure attitudes and perceptions of multicultural participants. 63 questions split into 3 categories: Hypotheses, Racism in each participant's life, and Perception of racism in society. 344 black and 344 white participants were selected and were contacted via phone. A total of 124 students agreed to participate. It consisted of 54 Blacks, 54 Whites, 5 Asians/Pacific Islanders, 7 Hispanics, and 4 other.  19% Black and 34% white students were male.

Results from the questions asked from the 3 categories were as follows: in the hypotheses section when asked that Blacks or Whites cause most racial tension existing today in the United States? 85% Blacks disagreed, 39% Whites agreed and disagreed 41%.  If Whites cause it, 70% Blacks agreed 41% White agreed and disagreed. In Racism in Participant's Lives section asked Approximately how frequently have you experienced racial discrimination in your life? "Occasionally" 57% Blacks, 28% Whites. "Rather Infrequently", "Almost never" 69% Whites, 24% Blacks. In Differences in the Perception of Prevalence of Racism section asked If people of different races were equally skilled and intelligent which race do you think might have the easiest time being promoted in the working world? 9% White said "African American," 94% Blacks and 83% Whites said "Caucasian".

It concluded that communication between races is the best defense against modern racism. Better understanding of each other and empathy can reduce the problem. Also with better educating everyone will give us a chance to reach our goal for peace.

Public support for Hispanic deportation in the United States: the effects of ethnic prejudice and perceptions of economic competition

 

This study looks at the ethnic prejudice and perceived support for deportation regarding the handling of illegal immigrants in the united states. They are asked a series of questions ranging from whether they should be deported, stay permanently, stay temporary or to be able to stay to work. It looks to provide an understanding of public opinion psychology necessary for immigration policy formation.

 

Methods that were used in this study was a public opinionative national survey called the SCSHI. It included responses about beliefs, attitudes, and policy preferences about Hispanic immigration. It was conducted in 2009 by using a CATI technique with a Random Digit Dialing sampling system. CASRO response rate: 53.8%, Cooperation rate: 81.7%, and Refused to participate was 3.8. About 1,510 respondents were asked, what actions should be taken in the handling of illegal immigrants?  Either deportation, stay on a work temp permit, and permanent stay. They also used a ten-item scale, to which they call a measure of ethnic prejudice and perceived economic competition.

 

The findings showed that 51 % of the respondents of the SCHIS supported the deportation option. It also showed that 32 % of the respondents supported to 'allow them to stay temporarily on a worker's permit' and 11 % supported allowing them to stay permanently. 6 % answered don't know.  Also for the ethnic prejudice and perceived economic competition it showed that respondents have about 35% less odds of supporting temporary status and 43% lower odds of supporting the amnesty option when asked about deportation. It also found that Hispanics support both temporary and permanent status, blacks are 51 % less likely to support temp status and 39 % support permanent status. Independents: 55 % lower odds of supporting the temporary status and Democrats: 74 % higher odds of supporting the permanent status.