Six in ten say systemic racism shapes opportunities and outcomes in America

May 11, 2026 · n = 1,000 · MoE ±3.3%Source report ↗

Core finding

Americans are far more likely to agree than disagree that systemic racism affects opportunities and outcomes for many people in the United States: 61% agree, including 31% who strongly agree, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.

About one-in-five disagree (19%), including 10% who strongly disagree, while a similar share (20%) take neither position.

Topline scale

Six in ten say systemic racism shapes opportunities and outcomes in America.

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: Systemic racism affects opportunities and outcomes for many people in the United States.

Strongly agree
31.2%
Agree
29.8%
Neither agree nor disagree
19.5%
Disagree
9.8%
Strongly disagree
9.7%

n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUS adults age 18+
Field datesMay 11, 2026
Base (unweighted)1,000
Margin of error±3.3%
Modulepolitics
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    To what extent do you agree with the following statement: Systemic racism affects opportunities and outcomes for many people in the United States.

    reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26

Cite this question

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.