DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2) | Des Moines Register Poll: "Answers on Prejudice in Des Moines"

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Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2)

Des Moines Register Poll: "Answers on Prejudice in Des Moines"

Would go Along.

"This means there is quite a good-sized group which is lethargic and might be prejudiced but would not do anything about it.

"If employers are encouraged to hire mixed groups of workers, it is this group which might go along with the idea. As it is, we permit a very vocal minority to make policy. A man in the restaurant business said he had no particular feelings on the race question himself. He was asked about the possibility of a Negro cashier working in his dining room who would be accept by perhaps 49 customers but would cause objections from the fiftieth.

Italians and Jews.

"He admitted that he might pay more attention to the one, and that the one's protests might outweigh the fact that the 49 accepted the Negro cashier."

While prejudice was expressed to a much lesser degree against Italian and Jewish people, the poll indicated a somewhat equal prejudice against these two groups.

Mrs. Mallon said some of the persons expressing a prejudice against Italians indicated they felt them to be "inferior people." They were inclined to link them in general, to widely publicized law-breakers of Italian descent.

Cite "Control of Wealth."

Jewish prejudice, the interviewers found, was often based on the ancient and oft-disproved storys about "control of the country's wealth." Some persons interviewed frankly said they "would not dislike Jews if they did not act like Jews."
Interviewers found a kind of prejudice against Jews which was different from that expressed against Italians.

For example, Mrs. Mallon pointed out, the high acceptance of Jews in the jobs listed in the survey seemed to indicate that those interviewed would be rather glad to have Jewish people be content with relatively low-paying jobs, rather than striving for something else.

"Although a high number of those interviewed did not want to be served by Negroes in a restaurant, a meat market or a beauty shop," Mrs. Mallon said, "it is interesting that some want them to have a higher status."

Consider "Cleanliness".

The survey showed that 86.8 per cent would accept a Negro as a bank teller, which many of those interviewed seemed to classify as "white collar."
But the percentage dropped to 73.6 when they were asked about service by a Negro in a meat market.

In this connection it appeared that those questioned were going back to old ideas about "cleanliness," as a basis for prejudice.

The small percentage of prejudices against Catholic or Protestants, the interviewers found, seemed to be based to a large extent on the idea that "I prefer my own kind."

Governed by Minority.

But prejudices against Catholics, Protestants and Jews were usually clear-cut and definite, while prejudices based seemingly on skin pigmentation were more variable and unpredictable.

"The important thing is that we allow ourselves to be governed by an articulate minority," Mrs. Mallon said.

In order to obtain a more accurate index on prejudices, those interviewed were first asked a generalized qustion. Then more specific questions which would reveal variance and inconsistencies in thinking were asked.

"Ability Only."

The first question was: "Do you believe that people should have equal chances at jobs on the basis of their ability only, or do you feel that race or religion should also have some weight."

A total of 968 persons, or 91.7 per cent said "ability only." There were 76 who

Answers on Prejudice in Des Moines

Following is a table showing answers to questions asked on racial and religious prejudice in Des Moines by League of Women Voters members:

The following questions were answered by one of these three categories:
(1) I don't think I would mind it at all.
(2) I don't think I would like it but I wouldn't do anything about it.
(3) I think I would see to it that the management knew I didn't like it.

1. How would you feel about someone delivering milk or groceries to your home who was:
(1)     (2)     (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 96.7   1021   2.6   27   .4   4
Mexican . . . 91.6   966   5.9   62   1.5   16
Negro . . . 84.1   886   11.9   126   2.8   30
Catholic . . . 99.0   1045   .9   9   . . .   . .
Protestant . . . 99.9   1054   . . .   . . .   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 97.6   1030   1.6   17   .4   4

2. How would you feel about one of the following picking up and delivering your LAUNDRY?
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 97.5   1029   1.7   18   .4   4
Mexican . . . 94.3   995   3.8   40   1.1   12
Negro . . . 90.0   950   7.3   77   2.0   21
Catholic . . . 98.8   1043   .8   8   . . .   . . 
Protestant . . . 99.3   1048   .3   3   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 97.7   1031   1.4   15   .4   4

3. If you needed a PLUMBER, or PLASTERER, how would you feel if the firm sent one of the following:
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 94.8   1001   3.8   40   .8   8
Mexican . . . 89.5   944   6.9   73   2.3   24
Negro . . . 83.6   882   10.3   109   4.4   46
Catholic . . . 97.9   1033   1.2   13   . . .   . .
Protestant . . . 99.0   1045   .2   2   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 96.6   1020   1.9   20   .6   6

4. What would be your feelings to have one of the following wait upon you at a RESTAURANT!
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 95.5   1008   3.6   38   .4   4
Mexican . . . 87.1   919   9.8   103   1.9   20
Negro . . . 80.4   848   15.7   166   3.4   36
Catholic . . . 98.3   1038   .8   8   .1   1
Protestant . . . 99.0   1045   .1   1   .1   1
Jewish . . . 97.1   1024   1.4   15   .4   4

5. What would be your feeling if one of the following waited upon you in a MEAT MARKET?
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 94.3   996   4.2   44   .8   8
Mexican . . . 84.3   889   10.6   112   3.2   34
Negro . . . 73.6   776   19.8   209   5.1   54
Catholic . . . 98.2   1036   .9   10   .1   1
Protestant . . . 99.1   1046   .3   3   .1   1
Jewish . . . 95.7   1010   2.5   26   .7   7

6. What would be your feeling if one of the following waited upon you in a DEPARTMENT STORE?
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 96.3   1016   2.9   31   .3   3
Mexican . . . 91.7   967   6.4   67   1.0   11
Negro . . . 85.0   897   12.1   128   2.3   24
Catholic . . . 98.8   1043   .7   7   .1   1
Protestant . . . 99.4   1049   .2   2   .1   1
Jewish . . . 97.8   1032   1.7   18   .2   2

7. What would be your feeling to have one of the following wait upon you in a BEAUTY PARLOR?
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 92.4   974   5.1   54   1.5   16
Mexican . . . 82.8   874   10.7   113   4.1   43
Negro . . . 70.5   744   19.9   210   7.1   75
Catholic . . . 97.2   1025   1.6   17   . . .   . .
Protestant . . . 98.2   1036   .6   6   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 95.3   1005   2.5   26   .9   10

8. What would be your feelings if you walked up to a window in a BANK and found the TELLER was:
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 96.1   1014   2.7   29   .3   3
Mexican . . . 92.6   976   5.1   54   1.2   13
Negro . . . 86.8   916   9.4   99   3.0   32
Catholic . . . 98.7   1042   .9   9   . . .   . .
Protestant . . . 99.4   1049   .1   1   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 97.8   1032   1.4   15   .3   3

9. What would be your feelings if you went into a business office and were met by a RECEPTIONIST or a SECRETARY who was:
(1)   (2)   (3)
%   Cases   %   Cases   %   Cases
Italian . . . 94.7   999   3.9   41   .2   2
Mexican . . . 90.1   950   6.8   72   1.2   13
Negro . . . 84.0   886   11.2   118   3.5   37
Catholic . . . 98.5   1039   1.0   11   . . .   . .
Protestant . . . 99.0   1045   .4   4   . . .   . .
Jewish . . . 96.9   1023   2.0   21   .3   3

Saving...

Would go Along. "This means there is quite a good-sized group which is lethargic and might be prejudiced but would not do anything about it. "If employers are encouraged to hire mixed groups of workers, it is this group which might go along with the idea. As it is, we permit a very vocal minority to make policy. A man in the restaurant business said he had no particular feelings on the race question himself. He was asked about the possibility of a Negro cashier working in his dining room who would be accept by perhaps 49 customers but would cause objections from the fiftieth. Italians and Jews. "He admitted that he might pay more attention to the one, and that the one's protests might outweigh the fact that the 49 accepted the Negro cashier." While prejudice was expressed to a much lesser degree against Italian and Jewish people, the poll indicated a somewhat equal prejudice against these two groups. Mrs. Mallon said some of the persons expressing a prejudice against Italians indicated they felt them to be "inferior people." They were inclined to link them in general, to widely publicized law-breakers of Italian descent. Cite "Control of Wealth." Jewish prejudice, the interviewers found, was often based on the ancient and oft-disproved storys about "control of the country's wealth." Some persons interviewed frankly said they "would not dislike Jews if they did not act like Jews." Interviewers found a kind of prejudice against Jews which was different from that expressed against Italians. For example, Mrs. Mallon pointed out, the high acceptance of Jews in the jobs listed in the survey seemed to indicate that those interviewed would be rather glad to have Jewish people be content with relatively low-paying jobs, rather than striving for something else. "Although a high number of those interviewed did not want to be served by Negroes in a restaurant, a meat market or a beauty shop," Mrs. Mallon said, "it is interesting that some want them to have a higher status." Consider "Cleanliness". The survey showed that 86.8 per cent would accept a Negro as a bank teller, which many of those interviewed seemed to classify as "white collar." But the percentage dropped to 73.6 when they were asked about service by a Negro in a meat market. In this connection it appeared that those questioned were going back to old ideas about "cleanliness," as a basis for prejudice. The small percentage of prejudices against Catholic or Protestants, the interviewers found, seemed to be based to a large extent on the idea that "I prefer my own kind." Governed by Minority. But prejudices against Catholics, Protestants and Jews were usually clear-cut and definite, while prejudices based seemingly on skin pigmentation were more variable and unpredictable. "The important thing is that we allow ourselves to be governed by an articulate minority," Mrs. Mallon said. In order to obtain a more accurate index on prejudices, those interviewed were first asked a generalized qustion. Then more specific questions which would reveal variance and inconsistencies in thinking were asked. "Ability Only." The first question was: "Do you believe that people should have equal chances at jobs on the basis of their ability only, or do you feel that race or religion should also have some weight." A total of 968 persons, or 91.7 per cent said "ability only." There were 76 who Answers on Prejudice in Des Moines Following is a table showing answers to questions asked on racial and religious prejudice in Des Moines by League of Women Voters members: The following questions were answered by one of these three categories: (1) I don't think I would mind it at all. (2) I don't think I would like it but I wouldn't do anything about it. (3) I think I would see to it that the management knew I didn't like it. 1. How would you feel about someone delivering milk or groceries to your home who was: (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 96.7 1021 2.6 27 .4 4 Mexican . . . 91.6 966 5.9 62 1.5 16 Negro . . . 84.1 886 11.9 126 2.8 30 Catholic . . . 99.0 1045 .9 9 . . . . . Protestant . . . 99.9 1054 . . . . . . . . . . . Jewish . . . 97.6 1030 1.6 17 .4 4 2. How would you feel about one of the following picking up and delivering your LAUNDRY? (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 97.5 1029 1.7 18 .4 4 Mexican . . . 94.3 995 3.8 40 1.1 12 Negro . . . 90.0 950 7.3 77 2.0 21 Catholic . . . 98.8 1043 .8 8 . . . . . Protestant . . . 99.3 1048 .3 3 . . . . . Jewish . . . 97.7 1031 1.4 15 .4 4 3. If you needed a PLUMBER, or PLASTERER, how would you feel if the firm sent one of the following: (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 94.8 1001 3.8 40 .8 8 Mexican . . . 89.5 944 6.9 73 2.3 24 Negro . . . 83.6 882 10.3 109 4.4 46 Catholic . . . 97.9 1033 1.2 13 . . . . . Protestant . . . 99.0 1045 .2 2 . . . . . Jewish . . . 96.6 1020 1.9 20 .6 6 4. What would be your feelings to have one of the following wait upon you at a RESTAURANT! (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 95.5 1008 3.6 38 .4 4 Mexican . . . 87.1 919 9.8 103 1.9 20 Negro . . . 80.4 848 15.7 166 3.4 36 Catholic . . . 98.3 1038 .8 8 .1 1 Protestant . . . 99.0 1045 .1 1 .1 1 Jewish . . . 97.1 1024 1.4 15 .4 4 5. What would be your feeling if one of the following waited upon you in a MEAT MARKET? (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 94.3 996 4.2 44 .8 8 Mexican . . . 84.3 889 10.6 112 3.2 34 Negro . . . 73.6 776 19.8 209 5.1 54 Catholic . . . 98.2 1036 .9 10 .1 1 Protestant . . . 99.1 1046 .3 3 .1 1 Jewish . . . 95.7 1010 2.5 26 .7 7 6. What would be your feeling if one of the following waited upon you in a DEPARTMENT STORE? (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 96.3 1016 2.9 31 .3 3 Mexican . . . 91.7 967 6.4 67 1.0 11 Negro . . . 85.0 897 12.1 128 2.3 24 Catholic . . . 98.8 1043 .7 7 .1 1 Protestant . . . 99.4 1049 .2 2 .1 1 Jewish . . . 97.8 1032 1.7 18 .2 2 7. What would be your feeling to have one of the following wait upon you in a BEAUTY PARLOR? (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 92.4 974 5.1 54 1.5 16 Mexican . . . 82.8 874 10.7 113 4.1 43 Negro . . . 70.5 744 19.9 210 7.1 75 Catholic . . . 97.2 1025 1.6 17 . . . . . Protestant . . . 98.2 1036 .6 6 . . . . . Jewish . . . 95.3 1005 2.5 26 .9 10 8. What would be your feelings if you walked up to a window in a BANK and found the TELLER was: (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 96.1 1014 2.7 29 .3 3 Mexican . . . 92.6 976 5.1 54 1.2 13 Negro . . . 86.8 916 9.4 99 3.0 32 Catholic . . . 98.7 1042 .9 9 . . . . . Protestant . . . 99.4 1049 .1 1 . . . . . Jewish . . . 97.8 1032 1.4 15 .3 3 9. What would be your feelings if you went into a business office and were met by a RECEPTIONIST or a SECRETARY who was: (1) (2) (3) % Cases % Cases % Cases Italian . . . 94.7 999 3.9 41 .2 2 Mexican . . . 90.1 950 6.8 72 1.2 13 Negro . . . 84.0 886 11.2 118 3.5 37 Catholic . . . 98.5 1039 1.0 11 . . . . . Protestant . . . 99.0 1045 .4 4 . . . . . Jewish . . . 96.9 1023 2.0 21 .3 3