Saturday, July 17, 2010

Blacks and whites agree: Hispanics are the least patriotic

GSS respondents were asked to rate the level of patriotism among different groups. Answers ranged from "patriotic" (1) to "unpatriotic" (7). You can see the means above as rated by black and white participants.

Both groups see Hispanics and then Asians as being the least patriotic. This probably comes from the perception that these groups have loyalties to the Old Country. 

Both groups also see Jews and especially blacks as being less patriotic than whites. Perhaps Jews are seen as having ethnic/religious loyalties that compete with patriotism, while blacks are more critical of the American experience (I'm sure many folks were angry like me when the president of the NAACP said, "Sarah Palin says, 'Let's party like it's 1776.' My white daddy would say be careful what you wish for because the 18th century, Sarah, wasn't good for nobody, even folks like you." By the way, what do we have to be careful about wishing for? Maybe slavery will come back, with blacks as masters this time?)

The southern white numbers surprise me: they're seen as less patriotic than all whites. Maybe that is due to the perception that affection for the Confederacy still lingers.


UPDATE: Let me add that GSS data do not indicate that Americans have some idealistic view of Hispanics (like that pushed by the open borders crowd). They are perceived as comparatively unintelligent, lazy, and unpatriotic.   

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