“For the first time in CBS News polling history, a majority of blacks are casting race relations in the United States in a positive light.
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.” read more
So what does this mean?
“I have mixed feelings about the poll. That’s because it focuses on perception rather than reality. While blacks and whites may perceive an improvement in race relations, the facts suggest gaps that have traditionally existed between racial groups persist in the present….” Why? read more
emphasis mine
So, what do you think? Is it just perception, or are the races actually getting closer in terms of wealth and power? Wealth and power do matter, right?
4 comments
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July 6, 2009 at 4:55 pm
jessiecarty
sadly, it seems like an almost impossible thing to guage. I’m reading Blink right now by Malcolm Gladwell and he talkes about how even he, biracial, has his own stereotypes about whites and blacks (who is good versus bad) etc. very interesting read.
i think, if nothing else, it has made people more thoughtful about the issue again. did you see that they have elected an african american mayor of philadelphia, mississippi where that movie mississippi burning was set? and the city is 55% white. that is some nice news
July 7, 2009 at 4:45 am
Jana Allard
I’m not sure if things are better or not. In some ways, I see things worse and some ways better. I think it really depends on what one is looking for. If you look for the good, you can find it or, if you look for the bad, it will be found, too. I would tend to agree it is more perception than reality.
July 7, 2009 at 10:53 am
helenl
Thanks for your comments, Jessie and Jana.
I guess my question is this: Does black people’s perception really matter? Or just the provable? Are race relations better because “we” think they are, or will things come to a head once again some time in the future, when blacks realize they still don’t have the wealth and power that white people do? (i.e., Will they still want “forty acres and a mule”? And should they get it?) More questions than answers, right? Fighting racism is not for the faint of heart.
July 7, 2009 at 11:23 am
Jessie Carty
I hate being pessimisstic on these things but is it even a battle that is ever measurable? i think that is where i get daunted by the discussion. what makes the final equality? is it the opportunity to do things? because everyone can go to college and apply for the same jobs? when does it stop being an issue and instead just be life?
i talk myself into circles