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■ Many grov�s identified avoidance as a common response to racism. This includes <br />staying away from places where they've been treated poorly or pursuing a type of <br />psychological or emotional avoidance. Participants from a range of t�sian <br />backgrounds described a response to racism that was marked by a refusal to engage. <br />Yt would be a mistake, however, to conclude that all Asian groups never engage in a <br />more direct confrontation. The community conversations brought to light a few <br />examples where people did try to deal with difficulties caused by racisxn more <br />directl�. <br />■ Anger was also a response to racism that was identifed through the community <br />conversations. Coraje is a concept reiated to that of anger, and it was cited by <br />Latinos as one of their responses ta racism. <br />■ Some participants identifed more active ways of "fighEing racism" such as using <br />institutions and organized resources to counteract racisrn. <br />■ Several participants mentioned assimilation and integration as a response to racism. <br />Others identified taking on the attiiudes of the oppressors and becoming racist <br />themselves. <br />The "unengaged" <br />Whites and com3munities of color share cammon beliefs about racial justice. A relatively <br />small proportion of residents ace actuaiIy "disengaged;" however, they are �►ore likely to <br />be part of the traditional "power elite" and stand ovt from others as not acknowledging <br />they have certain advantages that are a result of being White. <br />■ In our survey, based an an analysis that combined responses to several items, about <br />half of all racial groups fall into the Great Middle category, stating no preferences <br />about the race of their neighbors and mixed beliefs about stnictural inequalities, with <br />some belief in the injustice caused by racism. <br />■ Among Whites, 24 percent would prefer ta Iive in racially mixed neighborhoods and <br />have at least some belief in the injustice caused by racism (Integrated/Engaged); <br />13 percent state no preference with regard to tt�e race of their neighbors and do not <br />believe in structural ineqnalities (Disengaged ); 12 percent prefer to live with other <br />Whites and have mixed beliefs abont structural inequalities (Isolated/Unengaged}; <br />and 2 percent prefer to live with other Whites and do not believe in structural <br />inequalities (Structurally Disengaged). <br />■ The 24 percent of Whites characterized as Integrated/Engaged make up a larger <br />proportion of residents in Ramsey County than elsewhere; are more often female, <br />college educated, and renters; and more �ikely to describe themselves as unaffiliated <br />religiously and Democrat. <br />An ass�csment of racum in 6 January 1009 <br />Dakofa, Ramsey, and Washrngtan counties <br />