Traditionally, minority groups in the United States are the ones that face discrimination, both within the workplace and in other settings. This is why there are now so many legal protections for African American workers, female workers, and people who are part of minority age groups, ethnic groups and religious groups — to name a few.
Despite that, white Americans think that it goes both ways, and most of them think that they actually get targeted for discrimination because they are white. When a poll asked white Americans if they thought it happened to them, a full 55% — a slim majority — said that it did.
One man, who was 68 years old, even said it directly connected to his employment opportunities.
“If you apply for a job, they seem to give the [African American workers] the first crack at it,” he said in an interview. “And, basically, you know, if you want any help from the government, if you’re white, you don’t get it. If you’re black, you get it.”
It is important to note, of course, that all types of discrimination remain illegal in the American workplace. All workers deserve the same equal opportunity. While opinions like that man’s may sound controversial, it is only fair to note that all workers who think they have faced discrimination in Arizona need to know their legal rights. It’s clear that this is something white Americans are thinking about, as this poll proves, even if they have traditionally and historically not faced the same levels of discrimination as minority groups.