Which "ism" is more entrenched in American, sexism or racism? Which should religion address?

Choosing between evils is never easy to do. So, I bounced this question off two friends—a white woman and a black man. They agreed that racism is the greater problem. She summed it up saying, “African Americans face more limits than women face in America.”

Assuming they are right in the ranking, I’ve tried to figure out why. At least part of the answer is that none of us in America can isolate ourselves from persons of the opposite sex but many in America isolate from persons of a different race. When we are isolated it is easier to perpetuate and further entrench our stereotypes and prejudices—or just not think about it at all which probably has the same outcome.

I like the stories of Jesus where he repeatedly engaged people who were different whether the rules of society approved or not. With his example and teaching Jesus addressed both race and sex.