(CNN) -- How serious a problem is racism in the United States? A new CNN poll finds that black people and white people have dramatically different views on the subject.

We asked CNN.com readers how they defined racism and how it has affected their lives. Here is a selection of the answers, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Blair William of Lexington, South Carolina
I am an Afro Trinidadian who has lived in the U.S. for the past ten years. Racism here is quite subtle. I think that the issue is two-fold. I believe that White America's perception of blacks is still generally negative based on their limited interaction with blacks, whether this is via the media or in person. As such, there is still a feeling of superiority towards black people as a whole... On the other hand, black Americans need to stop devaluing themselves and their people. Another race can only respect you if you respect yourself and currently, I find that blacks still devalue and disgrace each other and themselves.

Lisa Matas of Gaithersburg, Maryland
Racism is the defining of a person, good or bad, by the color of their skin. Racism works both ways -- if you vote for someone just because they're black (or whatever), or you DON'T vote for them just because they're black. Either way it's just as racist.

Cara Peralta of Mount Vernon, Indiana
I think we need to differentiate between prejudice and racism. Prejudice leads to racism. As a public school teacher in rural Indiana, I do see prejudice. I am certain that minorities do encounter racism. With the rise in the Hispanic population, I think this question should not only be posed to blacks and whites, but to Hispanics as well.

Ratish Patel of Lexington, Kentucky
When is it racism versus ignorance? I have known generally kind hearted people in my past that I would not identify as racist but they did assume accepted broad generalizations on certain cultures and races as fact.

Mark Boyle of Muncie, Indiana
I am a firm believer that racism is rampant in the United States. Until we begin to actively stamp out groups that wish to underline racial differences for the simple sake of the difference itself, we will not move forward as a society. Those that would seek to wash out any acknowledgement of race also should take heed. People that say "when I look at that person, I don't see them as black" are robbing that individual of his or her identity. That person is hopefully proud of who they are and race is a part of that. What we are actually talking about here is shared historically cultural experience. The concept of "race" is flawed.
Our differences as human beings are what make this world exciting and interesting. If we were all of the same culture, how boring would that be? The world needs to take a page from the atmosphere in Hawaii - the most racially diverse place in which I have lived.

John Donohue of Pawcatuck, Connecticut
Am I a racist if I believe that minorities seek "handouts" because they feel the government "owes" them for injustices committed against their ancestors?

Leonard Bogard of Oak Grove, Kentucky
Racism, to me, is when you say or do something to someone or about someone that is based on the color of their skin. I've seen racism from and against all races in my lifetime. I've seen it just as much in the north as I have in the south. We are such a mixed and diverse society, that I find it hard to understand how anyone might think that they are purely one race or another.

Leslie Garner of Upper Marlboro, Maryland
As a black woman of course it has affected me...Overt racism is easier to deal with because everything is out in the open; everyone acknowledges just how they feel and you can deal with it [or not]. It is the subtle forms that are so hard because the person practicing this devious form of racism won't/can't acknowledge how their views affect their interaction with me. This explains why your poll shows such a disparity in the numbers. White people can't/won't acknowledge their own racism, even in an anonymous situation such as a poll. It's sad, because we can never move beyond racism until both sides see, understand, acknowledge their role in this problem.

Noel Williams of Dayton, Ohio
Racism is large problem in America. Blacks are acutely aware of this problem as we see and feel the historical effects. Whites have the luxury of not having to see the effects unless they make a conscious effort. That being said, racism is a natural phenomenon; people like to be around people who look like them and have similar experiences. The problem is when people make those natural feelings into negative attitudes about groups that don't look like them. In the case of an economic majority, this results in minority groups being excluded from opportunities. This is precisely why affirmative-action is necessary. Whites have enjoyed affirmative-action for hundreds of years, while Blacks have had a diminishing 40+ years.

Karen Ward of St. Simons Island, Georgia
Racism is most definitely alive and well in the United States. Racism is when one race thinks that they are superior to another. Unfortunately here in America, Whites consider themselves privileged and above other ethnic groups. Globally speaking, Whites are the minority and people of color are the majority. Why is it that Whites continue to suppress the achievements of Blacks and in many cases claim inventions by Blacks as their own? For full knowledge, one must study the true history of America and then and only then would one's perspective and knowledge include the truth.

Suzette Lay-Heard of Athens, Georgia
Racism is alive and well today. I do not understand why white people are blind to the fact that there is racism. On talk shows when white people are painted black and go out in the world, they clearly experience racism. They firmly admit that had they been white in certain circumstances, they would have been treated differently [better]. As a Black American, I have experienced racism on my job. There have been whites promoted over me with less experience and qualifications that I have. It hasn't changed even though I have educated myself by earning a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Jay Brune of Charlotte, North Carolina
Racism is a part of everybody and everything. Every single person has some kind of race bias. I think the biggest problem today is that there is a double standard when it comes to racism. Racism is only against African-Americans. Not true... Michael Richards is grilled for his racist outburst. And rightfully so. However, when Kanye West refers to interracial people as "mutts" no one bats an eyelash. No one alive today was or owned slaves. The double standard on racism imposed by African-American leaders only perpetuates a situation that will never be relieved until all the cards are on the table and people start accepting responsibility for their lives. A divided people are a group most easily controlled.

John Calvao of Chester, Virginia
I am afraid to say that racism will never, I repeat never disappear. People as a whole are too set in their ways. Nobody is born prejudiced but somehow everyone of every race gets there. Just like in Iraq we need to start looking for a happy medium. Toleration instead of a melting pot looks a lot more like reality everyday.

David Jones of Salt Lake City, Utah
Apparently, the way to tell if someone is racist is by looking at their skin color. If you are a Caucasian, you are a racist. If you are African or Latino, you have never had a racist thought in your life. In fact, you should probably be given preferential treatment to offset the racism you have experienced.

Keith Carroll of Las Vegas, Nevada
How long will have to pay for the sins of or fore fathers? Let it go or it will never go away! Racism has become a tool to justify actions on both sides; even gay people say they are the same as black people. When will it end? Well next year I will refer to myself as a Black Irish Lesbian White Islamic Male or BILWIM.