Define "a lot." Generally speaking, the people I hear complaining of this probably didn't get the job on their own (lack of) merits. But they need a scapegoat, so they blame minorities.
As another poster pointed out, white women have been the group that has benefitted the most from affirmative action. I don't think it has directly impacted my personal career in a formal (corporate quota) sense, but I know my boss is very proactive about hiring women because his wife was a pioneer in her (male dominated) field and he has three daughters in professional careers.
As for the
Walmart story ... do you think maybe nobody came (or was in a hurry to come) to the counter to help the lady who was black because she was black, and then once a white lady showed up they sent somebody over (who then asked for your id)? Sounds like a lot of attitude adjusting (of employees of all races) are needed at that store!
Personally, I've witnessed lackadaisical customer service/attendance to minorities in businesses (the minority person will have been at the counter waiting, then the store person will address me and ask if I need help and I have to point out that the other person has been waiting.) I haven't been on the receiving end of snotty treatment by minority store clerks/businesspeople.
I'm sure incidents happen... I just don't see us as white folks experiencing anything approaching the kind of pervasive racism and discrimination that other people do.
