Governor Christie was speaking to a NJ church group about the horrific shootings last week in Charleston where Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, opened fire at a bible study at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church, killing nine black churchgoers, including the pastor.

Thousands of people gather for a city-sponsored prayer vigil for the nine victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting at the College of Charleston TD Arena
Thousands of people gather for a city-sponsored prayer vigil for the nine victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting at the College of Charleston TD Arena (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Roof has portrayed a racist ideology in social media postings and has confessed to the killings.

"If we're going to try to understand it, we have to talk about it, and we have to talk honestly about it," Christie told audience packing the pews at St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange. "This hate didn't come from nowhere. This hate didn't just appear out of the sky. This hate comes from an awful place -- and this hate is born of racism. We must say that out loud."

So let’s talk about it, how much racism do you feel exists in New Jersey and what do you feel is the cause? This is a great question because I think people of different races will provide entirely different answers to the question. Maybe we can all see it from another side. If we could see it from another side, maybe then we can truly start to understand.

I think part of the problem is that certain media outlets paint in broad strokes, when in reality people are people. Racists come in all colors, shapes and sizes and exists everyday. If you’re looking for the right story to set people off, it won’t take long to find it. Perhaps we should start looking for the right solution? What do you think that the solution could be?

Take the poll below and let us know how rampant you think racism is in New Jersey.

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