I don't believe racism in this country today holds anybody back in a big way. Are there some elements of racism? Yes, it gets back to if we don't grow this economy, that is a ripple effect for every economic level, and because blacks are more disproportionately unemployed, they get hit the worst when economic policies don't work. That's where it starts.

State of the Union, 9 October 2011. As quoted in: Liptak, Kevin (9 October 2011), "Cain: Racism not holding anyone back", Political Ticker (CNN)

Cain: Racism not holding anyone back