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CBS NY Times Poll: Most Blacks and Whites say race relations are good

By Carmen D. on Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, 6:40 am Comments

For the first time in CBS news polling history, a majority of both blacks and whites see improved race relations.

Fifty-nine percent of African-Americans – along with 65 percent of whites – now characterize the relationship between blacks and whites in America as “good,” according to a new CBS News/New York Times survey.

Less than a year ago, just 29 percent of blacks said race relations were good. The percentage of blacks who say race relations are bad, meanwhile, has dropped from 59 percent last July to 30 percent today.

Sixty-one percent of blacks say there has been real progress in getting rid of racial discrimination since the 1960s. That’s up from 37 percent in December 1996. Eighty-seven percent of whites say there has been real progress since the 1960s.

Source – Poll: Blacks See Improved Race Relations
CBS News/NY Times Survey Finds That For First Time Ever, Majority Of Blacks Say Relations Between Blacks And Whites Are Good

The CBS/New York Times poll says this is not about Barack Obama’s election. But clearly the election of Barack Obama, and the way so many people of all colors pulled together to make that happen, was a revelation for many of us. Now when I think back to the conversations I had with black and white people who feared that Obama could never win because of his skin color, it feels like a time very distant from now. It was always my deep hope that the election of Barack Obama and the power of his presidential campaign would prove transformational for us as a nation. I think it has been. Even as one who has never felt stopped by the racism I’ve encountered, I move about the world now feeling newly empowered and confident that when I tell children, “You can do anything you aspire to do,” I am telling them the truth.

I think race relations are improved too. I sense a renewed willingness to talk about racial issues and to do some listening as well. I would not characterize race relations as good or bad. I would characterize race relations as wounded and still in need of great care, conversation and action to reconcile issues where there is great disconnect and problems still fester unaddressed.

Despite the increasingly positive perceptions, however, most blacks feel that discrimination lingers. Asked who has a better chance to get ahead in U.S. society, fifty-one percent of blacks said white people do. Forty-four percent said both races had equal opportunity, while just one percent said blacks had an advantage.

White people, by contrast, were far more likely to see a level playing field, with 62 percent saying both races had equal opportunity. Roughly one in four white said white people have a better chance to get ahead, while seven percent of whites said black people have the better opportunities.

Source – Poll: Blacks See Improved Race Relations
CBS News/NY Times Survey Finds That For First Time Ever, Majority Of Blacks Say Relations Between Blacks And Whites Are Good

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE for yourself.

Hat tip – Today’s Drum

What do YOU think? What is the state of American race relations in your opinion?

  • Felton Lovett
    I don't think that race relations are better; nor will they get better in the near future. Unless we, Americans, understand that our plights are intertwined. No matter the prejudices and hate that we harbor a basic understanding of our common destiny cannot be understated. We have to look at the current administrations policies with blinders on and ask ourselves are they fiscally sound. We are being painted, by Obama, as the worlds greatest, evil country. His apologies to foreign countries are withou precedent and unwarranted. Our success as a country is something that we should not be ashamed of, but embrace. I understand that many blacks feel left out and have no place in attaining the 'American Dream'; however, the current debt that has been taken on will ensure that the 'American Dream' will be permanently out of reach not just for Black Americans, but all Americans.
    It is wholly unjustifiable in totally irresponsible for the current administration to show a total lack of regard for common sense and honesty in its fiscal policies. We, as a country are in debt and are encroaching on insolvency - The additional programs being 'recommended' as dire are being rushed through congress without hearings or even being read. I feel sorry for the future generations who will be settled with a staggering debt, anemic growth and a government unable to fulfill its promises. I think that we can look at our personal finances as an example - When we start to incur too much debt we 1- recognize that fact 2 - attmept to spend less 3 - try to pay off the debt if possible 4 - maybe file bankruptcy. However, we do not, as common sense dictates or should dictate, acquire more debt. The current debt of the country is presented as altruistic, feel-good, and wholly unavoidable. It appears that many blacks are unwilling to question anything that President Obama proposes as though he is omniscient and omnibenevolent. His policies are presented as fair for everyone, when in essence, the lack of fairness is disturbing. Unfortunately, I feel and history is a witness, that we Black/White/Other will live to regret the current policies. Like I said earlier, our plights are intertwined and what hurts one of us, hurts us all.
  • My_2cents
    Quote "As a related side note, which could or could not impact Black and White relations? Since Obama’s election racism has been on the rise. Conservative tea party movements across America have demonstrated that racism is very much alive (yes, even at tea parties!). Recent reports from Homeland Security and SPLC indicated that there has been a surge in the number of hate groups: (up by +50% since 2000). In addition, there has been an increase in the purchase of guns and stockpiling of ammo across America. Innuendos from Fox News to assassinate our President continue….I find that disturbing."

    First of all, lay off the kool-aid. I like how you insinuate "Conservative" together with "Tea Party," like everyone there was a Republican. Also, I guess not wanting tax money thrown away into pointless pet projects by our "representatives" is racist...right.

    Not wanting a person who's policies are counter to everything that made America great must also be racist? I Must of not voted for Obama because of his skin colour and not the fact that his policies were and are still going to steer our once great country even further into the Abyss. The fact that congress is basically already full of democrats and moderate republicans who mine aswell be democrats (Arlen Spectre?), who are going to pass any bills they choose with no opposition, the adding a democrat with blatent socialist leanings there to pass any bill they want had nothing to do with my decision making.

    Where exactly in the Tea Party did you see racist remarks? You most of loved Jeanne Garofalo's comments about how the people attending these parties are nothing but racists and a bunch of "tea baggers."

    It's funny your opinion on a news network is that they want someone to assassinate "our" president. Notice I quoted our, because like how lots of liberals didn't think George W Bush was their president, I reserve that right for Obama. I'm sure you actually watched Fox News and saw where O'Reily or Hannity said "Stockpile ammo and shoot Obama," right? No, you didn't you saw 3 pictures, one with a rifle, the next with Obama, and the third with Jesse Jackson, and that must mean the rifle is going to kill Obama! Why not add more hype to something completely irrelevant and say that it's going to get Obama and Jackson in the same shot!

    In conclusion, until race doesn't benefit anyone either way, you'll never get the results you want. Mid to upper class blacks and whites will look at lower class blacks and whites and say they are lazy and don't want to work. Lower class blacks and whites are just going to say upper class blacks and whites are greedy and how they are somehow entitled to free living off tax payers expenses.

    And P.S. life has never ever ever ever been 100% fair and it's never ever going to be 100% fair, so stop focusing on excuses for why something isn't going to work and start motivating yourself to achieve something better. That goes for anyone who blames their skin colour for their problems in America. Just imagine living in a 3rd world country your entire life. Be thankful for the advantages you have living in America. Hopefully we won't have to see our once great country fall by the waist side like Communist Russia did.

    Have a blessed day!
  • n-2-me-i-c
    Somehow, the statistics based on comparing the July 2008 and April 2009 surveys don’t match my observations and sense of what’s been happening across our country.

    I don’t think Black and White race relations are as wonderful as the CBS report says. That report reminded me of a comment I once heard:

    “Statistics are like bikinis. They reveal a lot, but they hide vital parts.”

    Last July (2008) the Democratic Party looked as though it was about to self-destruct. HRC was still holding out, refusing to relinquish her run for a nomination that she had clearly lost. Obama supporters and HRC supporters were slugging it out with vitriolic accusations of racism and sexism. Bill Clinton was fanning the fires of perceived racism with his own political swipes at Obama. This important information was a ‘vital part’ of the July 2008 survey, which the CBS report seemed to have failed to mention.

    Almost any survey compared to the July 2008 survey will show a marked increase because relations between the races were very low last July. Hence, the April 2009/July 2008 comparison reflects surprisingly high numbers. IMO, the CBS report is inflated. An April 2009 to November or Dec 2009 comparison between Black and White relations might be more realistic--assuming nothing in the ‘extreme’ happens.

    As a related side note, which could or could not impact Black and White relations? Since Obama’s election racism has been on the rise. Conservative tea party movements across America have demonstrated that racism is very much alive (yes, even at tea parties!). Recent reports from Homeland Security and SPLC indicated that there has been a surge in the number of hate groups: (up by +50% since 2000). In addition, there has been an increase in the purchase of guns and stockpiling of ammo across America. Innuendos from Fox News to assassinate our President continue....I find that disturbing.

    http://www.newshounds.us/2009/05/04/fox_nation_points_gun_at_obamas_head.php

    http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/05/buy-one-get-two-free/
  • Greetings. I think that this is a very good post and piece of data you have brought up. To answer the question about American race relations, I would have to say that there is possibility that things will get better. I believe that if people have an open mind and just live life, the experiences gain will help them realize if relationships among races are better or still at an elevated level.

    I look at President's winning of the election to be another movement in this country's history. It shows to some extent that we (the blacks and especially and many others who were against former Pres. Bush)have the mind of change.. a change for themselves and others. This is a type of motivation that the country needs. In other words, having another president that is Black is a historical moment but I also see that Obama as another president just doing his job. A job that someone of good leadership must fulfill.
  • Azizi
    As a point of clarification, when I wrote that President Obama's being elected will show Black people that we can ahead regardless of (in spite of) our race, I didn't mean that "regardless or in spite of" to be a plus. I think race shouldn't have anything whatsoever to do with whether a person succeeds or fails. But I believe that race usually does have something to do with a person's success or failure-including President Obama's election. I think that often when Black people and other people of color have succeeded, they have done so in spite of the barriers and difficulties that resulted from their race and their ethnicity.

    Also, when I mentioned President Obama having some Black ancestry-that is a statement of fact and not at all meant as a put-down (because I didn't say he was Black), Of course, he's Black and he's White (or he would be considered just as much White as he is considered Black if the social rule for who is and isn't White in this nation wasn't so racist).
  • Azizi
    I don't doubt that there has been some improvement in race relations. I also don't doubt that President Obama's image and works will result in some improvement in White folks' attitudes about Black people and in Black folks' belief that we can get ahead regardless of (in spite of) our race.

    While those things are important, I believe what would be more important and what would have a more lasting impact on the everyday lives of people would be the dismantling of institutional racism. Electing a president with some Black ancestry does not mean that institutional racism in this nation has been rooted out-though it does signal a crack in the dike (if you will excuse my mixed metaphors).

    For about 5 years I've been just about the only Black person on another blog (at least the only Black who publicly acknowledges her race). And most of the time I've been the only person of color on that international discussion forum who publicly mentions her/his race. (Fyi, that forum is http://mudcat.org/threads.cfm). My experiences posting on that forum have reaffirmed for me that people are more alike than we are different. But my experiences have also shown me that most White don't understand that there is both personal racism and institutional racism. Also my experiences on Mudcat and in my off-line interactions have shown me that most White people don't understand the importance of group identity in the formation of a positive sense of self. For example, most of the White people on that discussion forum who participate in the frequent discussions about race express the view that they are "color blind". I don't want to be blind. I want race & ethnicity to be valueless descriptors.

    I think part of the problem is that although White people reap the benefits of being White, it seems to me that they take those benefits for granted and don't realize that the power and influence of their group identity (in the USA and in many other nations). To cite one example, in most public schools, the curriculum is heavily Eurocentric. It's not just that children and teens learn about British & French kings & queens but read about African and Indian chiefs. Most students still have a Tarzan view of the vast continent of Africa (and think it's a country and not a continent. And they don't know that there are modern cities in African nations just like there are in other nations of the world (I'm basing these impressions on my work as a substitute elementary school teacher),

    Also, I've found that many teens and adults can quickly name five European cities and five European writers/artists but have much more difficulty naming even two African cities and two African writers/artists. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. We have a lot of work still to do.
  • dancinginthedark
    Carmen D,

    Good post. As a black person, I feel better about race relations since Obama's election and the wide acceptance of his exceptional wife. Obama's election truly meant that a man was being judged by the content of his character and by the amazingly flawless campaign he ran. He deserved to win and he won.

    But, there remain a lot of whites who cannot give him support because of his color IMHO. I base this on those tea bag parties recently held.(They do not hold the grace to be called tea parties.) They seemed to be mainly against Obama and not much else. The people I saw on the news were ordinary looking people who did not appear to have a lot of money, but they were protesting taxation. I didn't get it. They are the very ones that Obama is trying to help. These people need to figure out what they actually want from the government. If the swine flu becomes a pandemic, do they want their individual states or private companies to manage the problem, or are they willing to put up money so that the federal government takes the lead. I don't know what they want other than to have Obama's election overturned. Forgetaboutit!
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