This can be partly explained by the fact that much racism in America actually uses cultural markers in addition to just skin color. For example, many people will judge a person as stupid if they seem "thuggish" regardless of skin color. Some don't consider that racist, because it's not about skin color. But it is a cultural marker that correlates with race, so in that sense it is at least partly racism.

Someone from Africa would only have some of the cultural markers we look for when making racial distinctions in America, so in this way they would be partially spared. Sometimes all it takes is some indication that this black person is "not like all the other black people" for someone to be open to the idea they are a capable and safe human being.

Our prejudices are not simple. We are not stupid, we are very good at seeing patterns. And evidence for intra-racial distinctions is not evidence against interracial distinctions.

Which is another can of worms. Because the case against discrimination based on one's culture is much harder than race. And I am not even sure if culture should have blanket protection - there is stuff out there that we don't want taking hold in the west.

I think it is more likely to be the result of approaching things with an outsiders perspective. This gives you the ability to avoid problems insiders assume are unavoidable.

> problems insiders assume are unavoidable

Isn't that one aspect of learned helplessness?

Not quite. There is a difference between assuming you can't do anything about the situation and giving up.