New Jersey is a state that prides itself on its diversity and tolerance, but it also has a dark side of racism and discrimination that affects many of its residents. According to a new study released by the journal PLOS ONE, New Jersey is one of the most racist states in the country, based on the frequency of Google searches for the N-word across the United States.
The study found that all of southern New Jersey is “much more racist than average” while North Jersey is “more racist than average”. But which city in New Jersey is the most racist of them all?
The Methodology
The study used data from Google Trends, a tool that measures the popularity of search terms over time and across geographic regions. The researchers analyzed the relative frequency of searches for the N-word in each of the 3,181 counties in the United States from 2004 to 2009.
They then calculated a racial animus index for each county, which represents the difference between the actual frequency of the N-word searches and the expected frequency based on the national average. A higher index indicates a higher level of racial animus or hostility towards Black people.
The researchers also compared the racial animus index with various social and economic indicators, such as voting patterns, racial segregation, income inequality, education, health, and crime. They found that the racial animus index was correlated with lower levels of Black population, higher levels of Republican voting, lower levels of education, lower life expectancy, and higher mortality rates for both Black and white people.
The Results
The study revealed that New Jersey has the highest racial animus index in the Northeast region, and the seventh highest in the nation. The state’s average index was 0.28, which means that the N-word searches were 28 percent more frequent than the national average. The study also showed that there was a significant variation in the racial animus index within the state, with some counties having much higher or lower levels of racial animus than others.
The most racist county in New Jersey, according to the study, was Cape May County, which had a racial animus index of 0.77, the 12th highest in the nation. Cape May County is located at the southern tip of the state, and has a population of about 93,000 people, of which 90 percent are white and 5 percent are Black.
The county is known for its beaches, resorts, and historic landmarks, but it also has a history of racial discrimination and segregation. In 2017, a Black family filed a lawsuit against a Cape May campground, alleging that they were harassed and evicted because of their race.
The city of Cape May, which is the county seat and the oldest seaside resort in the country, has been named the most racist city in the state by the study. The city had a racial animus index of 0.82, the highest in the state and the 10th highest in the nation. The city has a population of about 3,500 people, of which 95 percent are white and 2 percent are Black.
The city is famous for its Victorian architecture, historic district, and tourism industry, but it also has a reputation for being unwelcoming and hostile to people of color. In 2019, a Black woman who worked as a server at a Cape May restaurant claimed that she was fired after complaining about a racist note left by a customer.
The Implications
The study’s findings have important implications for understanding and addressing the problem of racism in New Jersey and beyond. The study suggests that racism is not only a matter of individual attitudes and behaviors, but also a product of structural and systemic factors that shape the social and economic conditions of different groups of people.
The study also indicates that racism has negative consequences for both the perpetrators and the victims, as it is associated with lower quality of life, poorer health outcomes, and higher mortality rates.
The study’s authors recommend that policy makers, educators, activists, and community leaders take action to reduce racial animus and promote racial equity and justice in New Jersey and across the country. They suggest that some of the possible strategies include:
1.) Increasing the representation and participation of people of color in political and civic institutions
2.) Enhancing the diversity and inclusivity of educational and cultural curricula and programs
3.) Providing anti-racism and cultural competency training and resources for public and private sector employees and employers
4.) Supporting the economic development and empowerment of marginalized and disadvantaged communities
5.) Creating spaces and opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds
6.) Challenging and confronting the manifestations and expressions of racism and discrimination in everyday life
The Conclusion
New Jersey is a state that has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history, and nature, but it also has a lot to improve in terms of race relations and social justice. The study by PLOS ONE has revealed that New Jersey is one of the most racist states in the country, and that Cape May is the most racist city in the state. The study has also shown that racism is a complex and pervasive phenomenon that affects the well-being and dignity of all people. The study has called for urgent and collective action to combat racism and foster a more equitable and inclusive society.