Race Relations
Record-High 86% Approve of Black-White Marriages
Ninety-six percent of blacks, 84% of whites approve
September 12, 2011
A record-high 86% of Americans now say they approve of marriages between blacks and whites, continuing a dramatic shift compared with the initial 4% approval from a 1958 Gallup poll.
Americans Divided on Whether King's Dream Has Been Realized
Fifty-one percent say it has been realized, 49% say it has not
August 26, 2011
Americans are divided as to whether Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of U.S. racial equality has been realized: 51% say it has and 49% say it has not. Blacks are marginally more optimistic than whites that the dream has been realized.
One-Third in U.S. See Improved Race Relations Under Obama
Positive assessments of Obama's impact are down from 2009
August 24, 2011
Thirty-five percent of Americans believe race relations in the U.S. have improved as a result of Barack Obama's presidency, down from 41% in October 2009. The plurality, 41%, now say relations have not changed, while 23% consider them to be worse.
Blacks, Whites Differ on Government's Role in Civil Rights
All Americans see progress in civil rights in their lifetime
August 19, 2011
A majority of blacks in America today say that the government should play a major role in improving the social and economic position of blacks, while 19% of whites agree. A little over half of blacks say that new civil rights laws are needed in the country, while 15% of whites agree.
Religion and Party ID Strongly Linked Among Whites, Not Blacks
More religious Asians and Hispanics also more likely to be Republicans
July 1, 2011
Very religious white Americans are more than twice as likely to identity with the Republican Party, while nonreligious whites are more likely to identify with the Democratic Party. This relationship is also evident to a lesser degree among Asians and Hispanics, but does not occur among blacks.
Globally, Minority Acceptance Falls, Then Rises, With GDP
Countries in the "turnaround" range may be particularly prone to instability
April 14, 2011
Gallup's research reveals a U-shaped relationship between countries' GDPs and residents' likelihood to see their communities as good places for racial and ethnic minorities. Among poorer countries, residents are less likely to feel this way as GDP rises. Among richer countries, the relationship is reversed.
On the Issues, Obama Finds Majority Approval Elusive
Scores best on race relations, education
August 11, 2010
Less than half of Americans approve of how President Barack Obama is handling 12 of 13 issues he is having to contend with as president. He does best on race relations and worst on immigration and the federal budget deficit.
Ethnic Tensions Evident in Kyrgyzstan Before Conflict
Perceptions of ethnic, racial tolerance relatively low in South
June 16, 2010
Gallup surveys in Kyrgyzstan in the past several years reflect the ethnic tensions that sparked recent deadly riots in the country's South. In 2009, 40% of Kyrgyzstanis living in the South said their communities are good places for racial and ethnic minorities, compared with 61% who said the same in the North.
U.S. Waiting for Race Relations to Improve Under Obama
Hope for long-term improvement still abounds
November 9, 2009
Forty-one percent of Americans say race relations have gotten at least a little better under Barack Obama; about half as many say they have worsened. Last November, 70% expected race relations to improve as a result of his election, and 61% still hold out hope that this will happen in the long run.
Americans Assess Obama's Efforts to Help Blacks
November 9, 2009
Nearly half of Americans (47%) think President Obama's policies are "about right" in promoting efforts to aid the black community, down from the 64% who said this a year ago.
Related Items
Little “Obama Effect” on Views About Race Relations
October 29, 2009
Americans See Obama Election as Race Relations Milestone
November 7, 2008
Majority of Americans Say Racism Against Blacks Widespread
August 4, 2008
Whites May Exaggerate Black-Hispanic Tensions
July 17, 2008
