Nearly four in 10 blacks (39%) believe they were better off in 2009 than they were five years ago, compared to 12% who think they are worse off, according to the Pew Research Social And Demographic Trends Project. In addition, 53% of Blacks believe their situation will improve in the coming five years, compared to 10% who believe it will be worse.
Both Blacks (60%) and Whites (70%) think that the values of their two racial groups have become more similar in the past 10 years. They also believe the gap in their standards of living has narrowed (56% of Blacks and 65% of Whites). However, Blacks’ annual household income is only 62% that of Whites’, a smaller proportion than it was in 2000 (65%).
Most Blacks (52%) say that Blacks who cannot get ahead are responsible for their own situation, compared to 34% who think it is the result of racism. [Opinion]
Source: “A Year After Obama’s Election: Blacks Upbeat About Progress, Prospects,” Pew Research Social and Demographic Trends Project, Paul Taylor, Project Director, 1615 L St. NW, #700, Washington, DC 20036; 202-419-4300; info@pewsocialtrends.org; www.pewsocialtrends.org. Price: Available online at no charge.
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