Does America Run on Racism? | Man on the Street | PragerU

What's up guys, this is Wilwit back for PragerU and we are at Cal State LA asking people about systemic racism. Let's do it. Do you believe that America is systemically racist? I'm inclined to agree. Agree? Why would you say that? Because certain people have not been set up for success as much as others. I think America stems from racism, like it works. Like the cogs in the system, it's like what it rolls on. I didn't really see it from where I grew up, but now that I move more into LA, I kind of see it more often. So you're seeing racism now that you didn't see before? Oh, for sure. I feel like... Where do you see it? In poverty, in let's say like Section 8 housing, like the projects in those areas. I can definitely see why it's hard to make it out of there because there's no good role models. I think that it is real, there's a web of racism that underlines kind of all of the different institutions in our society. I think I'm in the middle, 50-50. I don't think everyone's racist or America in general is racist. I wouldn't put it on all of America, but parts of America, yes. Yeah, I agree with that. Our country is built on slavery and racism. It's not something new. And even though you might be like, oh, well, I'm not a slave owner, many of the people who historically have gathered wealth in our country have done that because of having that passed down, whereas people of color have that much less accessible. I'm white. You're African-American. What do you think that I can do that you can't do? That's a broad question. It might be easier for you to find a job in some areas. Easier for us to not have fear in society of being oppressed by the police. Say you get into interaction with the police, you might be less scared or get off faster. Do you think there's anything that has to do with that because of the crimes that African-Americans commit at a higher rate than white people? It's a possibility. I'm going to say no. Is there anything that I could do that you couldn't do because of my race? No. No, I don't think so. We're not afraid of ICE coming and snatching us off the street because of the color of our skin. Yeah, I mean, in 2026, I'm sure the list is minimal. There's a lot. It really underlines every single institution, like education, health. We've come a long way. I don't think everything is completely solved. But truly, it's everywhere. There's different areas where they obviously, I feel like they prefer some white people. I can think of programs where they prefer Hispanic people because of affirmative action and DEI. You know? Yeah, that too. That too. Have you ever heard of DEI? Like affirmative action? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Like ICE? No, no, no. Diversity, equity, inclusion, affirmative action. So like Harvard got sued for this. Let's say an Asian scores 300 points higher on their SAT than a black person. But the black person got the spot in the school above the Asian person, do you think that that's fair? Yeah, I think it is fair. Would you rather have people know you for who you are, your heart, your brain, the type of your character, your achievement, or because you're black? I guess my character. Would you rather hire someone who's going to be good at the job or hire them because of their skin color? I think they have to be good at the job. Yeah, I don't, I wouldn't hire someone just because of skin color. What if I told you this? Before, in 1960, 80% of children born in black homes had a father in the home. Now it's 20% of black children are born to a father in the home. Really having two parents in the home is the great equalizer, you know what I mean? Yeah, so I understand that factor, yeah. I feel like that could be the start of health. Probably. I mean, I think that any kind of, any instances of families being split is like not, what is your point with that? The culture of the black community has changed in a way that has made it worse off. That isn't necessarily because of white racism, but because of the culture of the black community. I feel like the government sometimes sort of forces these impoverished people and they kind of stay that way, and then it just kind of multiplies the problem and everything. I mean, the welfare state keeps people, why would I get a job if I'm just on welfare? You know, food stamps, everything. I think trying to blame it on black people's culture is racist. I don't think that I'm going to agree with you on that. Okay. I had fun, thank you. Did that help change your mind at all, or think about things in a different way? It's always cool to have some food for thought. You know, I'll sleep on it tonight, thinking in my bed, like, hmm, hmm, you know what I mean? It's gone very well today. It's hard to believe that when you actually talk to people with respect, and actually have open dialogue and free speech, people really open up and are able to have their minds changed. But the political world right now is so vitriolic, and no one really wants to have those conversations, but that's what I believe in, and I think it's the best way to actually change people's minds. Gotta keep doing it. Thank you guys so much for watching. We had a great time today talking to students, changing minds. If you enjoyed this, make sure you follow PragerU, share this video with your friends, and comment your thoughts down below. See you in the next one.