Dennis PragerFounder, PragerU · Founder of PragerU | NYT best-selling author

Asking people if they think America is a racist country — The Dennis & Julie Podcast

6 Oct 2023 · 0 min

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In this excerpt from the Dennis & Julie Podcast, Speaker A recounts a personal encounter with a Black immigrant from the Caribbean or Africa. Curious about the immigrant’s view on systemic racism, Speaker A asks directly, “Do you think America is a racist country?” The immigrant hesitates, looks around, and ultimately answers “no,” despite the expectation that a Black person might affirm the premise. Speaker B interjects, noting that he frequently asks people—regardless of race—whether they think America is racist, suggesting a broader skepticism about the premise. The dialogue highlights the discomfort and social dynamics surrounding discussions of race, the reluctance of some Black individuals to label the nation as racist, and the broader claim that racism can affect anyone, not just specific groups.

I just decided we had bonded enough over my shoes that I could ask him this question. I said, listen, I'm not testing you. I don't care what your answer is. I'm just curious. Please tell me your honest feeling. Do you think America is a racist country?
I do that all the time. All the time.
To what, to Blacks?
To anyone who I'm like around. All right. Strangers. All right.
So this— but I did it specifically because he was Black. But not because he was Black. Black immigrant. As I said, Caribbean or Africa, which is where all Blacks who immigrate here come from generally. And this is why I'm telling you the story. He looked around before he answered me. Would anybody— How sad is that? Beyond belief sad. And he said no. He didn't want people to hear that a Black man was denying that America was racist.