Perception of Racism

May 1999


The Math The Story

White

2840018

67.6%

Black

1298662

30.9%

Native

20075

0.5%

Asian

39675

0.9%

Other

2154

0.1%

Total

4200584

Racists

539603

12.8%

David Duke lost his race for Congress in Louisiana. He got 19 percent of the vote in a special election to fill the seat vacated by former House Speaker-designate Bob Livingston, R-La. The top two finishers, who got 25 percent and 22 percent, respectively, will compete in a runoff. The New York Times played up Duke's showing, saying he "fell just short" of making the runoff and suggesting that he would have made it if a rival hadn't cut into his vote. Republican leaders expressed relief that Duke won't become their "Y2KKK" problem. Duke's spin: Now that everyone knows my views, the sizable vote I received shows how many people agree with me. Duke's critics' spin: Now that everyone knows his views, the sizable vote he received shows how many people agree with him. (5/3/99) - Slate Magazine