Using data from a probability sample of a major U.S. metropolitan area, the study examined the relative contributions of traditional and contemporary racial prejudice, individual and group self-interests and stratification beliefs to the support of race-related policies. All three classes of variables predicted whites’ support of racial policies but racial prejudice was the most important. Moreover, the contemporary forms of prejudice were most consequential in predicting levels of support for social policies designed to reduce racial inequality. Finally, controlling for racial prejudice revealed that whites who adhere to basic American values of equal opportunity tend to hold beliefs that some groups are dominant over others, believe in the inherent superiority of whites, actually favor Affirmative Action, and support government help for blacks. Tables, references