Based upon the results of the most recent presidential election it seems as if there are a lot more bigots than racists in the USA. America has progressed in terms of negative racial stereotypes; but, not in terms of religious intolerance. At the end of the day, Americans were more afraid of electing a Mormon than a black man.
Currently, a black Christian Democrat is a lot less threatening than a white Mormon Republican. Or maybe, its a new world and the voting demographic no longer wants to elect a wealthy, older Republican white male? After all, isn't it more politically correct to be against someone based upon their religion than their race?
A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race. An example would be a member of the Ku Klux Klan, who espouse the superiority of the white race.
A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation. A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."
All racists are bigots, but by no means are all bigots racist.
ANDREW J. O'CONNOR