DISCRIMINATION
IN AMERICA:
EXPERIENCES
AND VIEWS OF
AFRICAN AMERICANS
October 2017
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Survey Background
This report is part of a series titled “Discrimination in America.” The series is based on a survey
conducted for National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H.
Chan School of Public Health. The survey was conducted January 26 – April 9, 2017, among a
nationally representative, probability-based telephone (cell and landline) sample of 3,453 adults
age 18 or older. The survey included nationally representative samples of African Americans,
Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, whites, men, women, and LGBTQ adults. This
report presents the results specifically for a nationally representative probability sample of 802
African-American U.S. adults. Future reports will analyze each other group, and the final report
will discuss major highlights from the series.
Discrimination is a prominent and critically important matter in American life and throughout
American history. While many surveys have explored Americans’ beliefs about discrimination,
this survey asks people about their own personal experiences with discrimination.
Summary: Personal Experiences of Discrimination
Overall, African Americans report extensive experiences of discrimination, across a range of
situations. In the context of institutional forms of discrimination, half or more of African
Americans say they have personally been discriminated against because they are Black when
interacting with police (50%), when applying to jobs (56%), and when it comes to being paid
equally or considered for promotion (57%).
Additionally, 60% of African Americans say they or a family member have been unfairly
stopped or treated by the police because they are Black, and 45% say the court system has treated
them unfairly because they are Black. Blacks living in suburban areas are more likely than those
in urban areas to report being unfairly stopped or treated by police and being threatened or
harassed because they are Black.
In the context of individual discrimination, a majority of African Americans have personally
experienced racial slurs (51%) and people making negative assumptions or insensitive or
offensive comments about their race (52%). Four in ten African Americans say people have
acted afraid of them because of their race, and 42% have experienced racial violence. Higher
income Black Americans are more likely to report these experiences.
African Americans also report efforts to avoid potential discrimination or to minimize their
potential interactions with police. Nearly a third (31%) say they have avoided calling the police,
and 22% say they have avoided medical care, even when in need, both for fear of discrimination.
Similarly, 27% of Black Americans say they have avoided doing things they might normally,
such as using a car or participating in social events, to avoid potentially interacting with police.
2
Summary: Perceptions of Local Community
Consistent with personal experiences of discrimination, the top situations where African
Americans most frequently say racial discrimination “often” happens where they live are when
interacting with police, being paid or promoted equally, and applying to jobs. More than 60% of
all African Americans agree that other African Americans where they live have fewer
employment opportunities just because they are Black (71%), that Black children do not have the
same chances as white children do for a quality education (64%), and that Black people are paid
less than white people for equal work (61%).
Additionally, 61% of African Americans believe that police officers in their area are more likely
to use unnecessary force on a Black person than on a white person in the same situation. About
four in ten (41%) say their local police force reflects the racial background of the neighborhood.
People were also asked whether elements of their neighborhood are better, worse, or about the
same as other places to live. African Americans most frequently rate local employment
opportunities, the quality of local public schools, and the availability of public transportation as
“worse” in their area than in other places to live. African Americans most frequently rate the
amount of crime and the availability of parks and green spaces as “better” in their neighborhood
than in other places to live.
African Americans living in majority Black neighborhoods are consistently and significantly
more likely to perceive discrimination in their neighborhood and to negatively evaluate their
local community, compared to African Americans living in non-majority Black areas.
Summary: National Beliefs & Political Contact
Overall, 92% of African Americans believe that discrimination against African Americans exists
in America today. Of these, nearly half (49%) say that discrimination based on the prejudice of
individual people is the bigger problem, compared to 25% who say the bigger problem is
discrimination based in laws and government policies. Another 25% say both are equally
problematic.
Finally, 55% of African Americans say that in the past year, they have been personally contacted
by representatives of a political party, candidate, organization or ballot issue. Being personally
contacted in this way may lead to increased likelihood of voting or other forms of civic
participation, particularly among racial and ethnic minority communities.
---
Overall, these findings illustrate that African Americans report significant and extensive
experiences of discrimination, across many areas of life.
3
1
1 See for example, Fred Pincus (1996), “Discrimination Comes in Many Forms,” American Behavioral Scientist
40(2):186-194, for distinctions between structural, institutional, and individual forms of discrimination.
Notes on Report Language
In this report, the terms “Black” and “African American” are used interchangeably.
This report distinguishes between institutional and individual forms of discrimination, though
discrimination comes in many forms.1 In this report, the term “institutional discrimination” refers to
forms of discrimination based on laws, policies, institutions, and the related behavior of individuals
who work in or control those laws, policies, or institutions. The term “individual discrimination” refers
to forms of discrimination based in individual people’s prejudicial beliefs, words, and behavior. These
are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but the distinction is used for organizing purposes.
In this survey, people were asked whether they had ever personally experienced discrimination related
to racism, sexism, and – for LGBTQ people – homophobia and transphobia. Questions about these
experiences were asked in the same way, differing only in the perceived motivation for the
discrimination (i.e., racism, sexism, homophobia). For example, respondents were asked, “Do you
believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination when applying for jobs because you are
African American?” and “Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination when
applying for jobs because you are a woman?” Therefore, to mirror the question wording used in the
survey, this report uses phrases such as “because of their race” or “because they are Black.” These
phrases describe respondents’ impressions of the motivating prejudice (i.e., racism) causing these
experiences, and are not intended to blame respondents for others’ discriminatory actions.
Additionally, these questions did not ask about the identity of the perceived discriminator.
Respondents’ answers could therefore refer to experiences of discrimination committed by individuals
of any race or ethnicity (or any other identity category).
As with other forms of self-reported data, these findings rely on respondents’ perceptions. While these
experiences could be related to other factors, the fact that people believe they are due to racial
discrimination is significant.
Any references to gender are based on respondents’ self-identified gender.
4
INTRODUCTION
This report is part of a series titled “Discrimination in America.” The series is based on a survey
conducted for National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H.
Chan School of Public Health.
Discrimination is a prominent and critically important matter in American life and throughout
American history. While many surveys have explored Americans’ beliefs about discrimination,
this survey asks people about their own personal experiences with discrimination.
This report presents African Americans’ personal experiences of racism and discrimination, as
well as their perceptions of discrimination in their local area and in the nation.
Table of Contents
I. Personal Experiences of Discrimination ......................................................5
i. Personal Experiences of Institutional Discrimination................5
ii. Personal Experiences of Individual Discrimination ..................9
iii. Avoidance of Discrimination ...................................................12
II. Perceptions of Local Community ..............................................................14
i. Perceptions of Local Discrimination .......................................14
ii. Perceptions of Local Opportunity ............................................15
iii. Perceptions of Local Police & Government ............................17
iv. Perceptions & Evaluations of Community Environment.........18
v. Majority Black vs. Non-Majority Black Neighborhoods ........21
III. National Beliefs & Political Contact..........................................................23
i. Institutional vs. Individual Discrimination ..............................23
ii. Political Contact .......................................................................24
IV. Conclusion .................................................................................................25
V. Methodology ..............................................................................................26
In this report, the terms “Black” and “African American” are used interchangeably. Respondents
are included in this sample if they identified as Black or African American in initial screening
questions. If a respondent identified as mixed or multiple races, they were asked with which they
most identify, and then were asked questions about that identity. Any references to gender are
based on respondents’ self-identified gender. All reported differences are statistically significant.
This survey was conducted January 26 – April 9, 2017, among a nationally representative,
probability-based telephone (cell and landline) sample that included 802 African-American U.S.
adults. The margin of error at the 95% confidence interval for the African American sample in
this report is 4.1%. Further methodological information is included at the end of the report.
5
I. Personal Experiences of Discrimination
In this survey, African Americans were asked about their personal experiences with racism,
sexism, and discrimination, across a range of areas of life.
Consistently, African Americans report significant experiences of both institutional and
individual forms of discrimination, most notably in the workplace and when interacting with
police or the courts. A majority of African Americans also report experiencing individual
discrimination such as racial slurs and negative assumptions or insensitive comments made about
their race.
Personal Experiences of Institutional Discrimination
People were asked whether they believe they have ever personally experienced discrimination
because they are African American, across a variety of situations. In the context of institutional
discrimination, these situations were: when applying to jobs; when it comes to being paid equally
or considered for promotions; when interacting with police; when trying to vote or participate in
politics; when going to a doctor or health clinic; when applying to college or while at college; or
when trying to rent a room or apartment or buy a house.
People were only asked about situations in which they had personally participated. For example,
people were only asked if they had been discriminated against when applying to college if they
had ever applied to college.
Among all African Americans, 97% have ever applied for a job; 95% have ever been employed
for pay; 65% have ever applied to or attended college for any amount of time; and 66% have
ever tried to rent a room or apartment or to apply for a mortgage or buy a home. For the
remaining situations, screening questions were not used, but people could volunteer that they had
never had these experiences.2
Half or more of African Americans report personally experiencing
racial discrimination in the workplace or when interacting with police
Figure 1 shows the overall reporting of personal experiences of discrimination in each situation.
Half or more of African Americans report being personally discriminated against because they
are Black when it comes to being paid equally or considered for promotion (57%), when
applying for jobs (56%), or when interacting with police (50%) (Figure 1).
2 Screening questions were not used for interacting with police, given the potential sensitivity of the question; for
going to the doctor, given that 83% of adults have seen a doctor in the last year alone (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (2015), “Summary Health Statistics Tables for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, Table
A-18,” https://goo.gl/AVfJPq) and the question covers a lifetime span; or for trying to vote or participate in politics,
as the question was worded intentionally broadly to capture a wide range of what might constitute political
participation to the respondent.
6
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. S5/Q13, S6/Q15, Q17,
Q19, Q21, S7/Q23, S8/Q25. Each question asked of half-sample and of those who have participated in each
situation (e.g., among those who have ever applied for a job). Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Among those who have ever tried to rent a room or apartment or buy a house, 45% say they have
experienced racial discrimination in the process (Figure 1).
Slightly more than a third (36%) of African Americans who have ever applied to or attended
college say they have experienced discrimination while applying or at college because of their
race. Roughly a third (32%) of all African Americans report being personally racially
discriminated against when going to a doctor or health clinic (Figure 1).
Finally, nearly one in five (19%) of all African Americans say they have been personally
discriminated against when trying to vote or participate in politics (Figure 1).
Black men more likely than Black women to report personal experiences of
discrimination when interacting with police, seeking housing, and voting
As Figure 2 shows, Black men are more likely than Black women to report having experienced
discrimination in multiple situations. Nearly six in ten Black men (57%) say they have
personally experienced discrimination when interacting with police, compared to 44% of Black
women. Similarly, 54% of Black men and 39% of Black women report discrimination when
19
32
36
45
50
56
57
Trying to vote or participate in politics
Going to doctor or health clinic
Applying to or attending college
Trying to rent or buy housing
Interacting with police
Applying for jobs
Being paid or promoted equally
Figure 1:
Percent of African Americans Saying They Have Ever Been Personally
Discriminated Against In Each Situation Because They Are Black
7
trying to rent an apartment or buy a home. In the context of trying to vote or participate in
politics, 24% of Black men and 14% of Black women report discrimination.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q17, Q19, S8/Q25.
Each question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
African Americans in the Midwest are more likely than those in the Northeast to say they
have experienced racial discrimination when applying for jobs (67% Midwest, 46%
Northeast) and when interacting with police (63% Midwest, 40% Northeast).3
60% of Black Americans report unfair police treatment, 45% report unfair treatment by courts
In a separate question, people were asked whether they believe they or a family member had
experienced unfair treatment by the police or by the court system because they are African
American.4 This question referred to unfair treatment rather than discrimination to capture
potential differences in perception of individuals’ experiences (i.e., people who might perceive
an experience as unfair but would not call it discriminatory).
3 “Midwest,” defined by U.S. Census 4-Region division, includes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
“Northeast,” defined by U.S. Census 4-Region division, includes: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
4 These questions asked whether “you or a family member” had experienced these forms of violence or
discrimination. Respondents may be less willing to answer sensitive questions about their personal experiences, so
family members’ experiences are included in the question to provide respondents an opportunity to indirectly
disclose their own experiences, while also potentially capturing experiences of violence and discrimination in
respondents’ immediate family. See Roger Tourangeau and Ting Yan (2007), “Sensitive Questions in Surveys,”
Psychological Bulletin 133(5): 859-883, DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.133.5.859.
50
45
19
57 54
24
44
39
14
Interacting with police Trying to rent or buy housing Trying to vote or
participate in politics
Figure 2:
Percent of African Americans, By Gender, Saying They Have Ever Been
Personally Discriminated Against In Each Situation Because They Are Black
All African Americans Black men Black women
8
Figure 3 shows that 60% of Black Americans say that they or a family member have been
unfairly stopped or treated by the police because of their race. Additionally, younger African
Americans are more likely than older (65+) African Americans to report this experience, as are
African Americans living in suburban areas compared to those living in urban areas.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q91. Question asked of
half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
With regards to the court system, 45% of African Americans say they or a family member have
been treated unfairly by the courts because they are Black.
African Americans who live in self-described mainly lower income neighborhoods are more
likely (60%) to say they have been treated unfairly by the courts, compared to those in mainly
middle income areas (36%).5
5 Neighborhood income level is self-reported, based on this question: “If you were describing the place where you
live, would you say that it is mostly upper income, mostly middle income, or mostly lower income, or is this
something you don’t have enough information about to say?” Overall, 9% of African Americans say they live in an
upper income area, 41% say they live in a middle income area, 25% say lower income area, and 26% report that
they do not have enough information to say.
60 62
69
60
38
49
67
All African
Americans
Blacks
18-29
Blacks
30-49
Blacks
50-64
Blacks
65+
Blacks in
urban areas
Blacks in
suburban
areas
Figure 3:
Percent of African Americans, By Age Group and Metro Status,
Saying They or a Family Member Have Been Unfairly Stopped or
Treated By the Police Because They Are Black
9
Personal Experiences of Individual Discrimination
People were asked experiences of individual or interpersonal forms of discrimination, such as
slurs, negative assumptions or insensitive or offensive comments, sexual harassment, threats or
non-sexual harassment, and violence.
Majority of Black Americans have experienced slurs and insensitive comments about their race
Recall that in this report, phrases such as “because of race” are used to mirror the question
wording and to describe respondents’ impressions of the prejudice behind these experiences, and
are not intended to place blame on those who have been discriminated against. Similar phrases
about gender denote perceived experiences related to sexism or misogynoir, and do not imply
blaming respondents for others’ discriminatory actions.
Figure 4 shows that 51% of all African Americans report personally experiencing slurs that were
specifically about their race. Similarly, 52% of African Americans say that someone has made
insensitive or offensive comments or negative assumptions about their race. Forty percent say
someone has acted afraid of them because of their race.6
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination
in America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q63a/Q64a,
Q63b/Q64b, Q63c/Q64c. Based on half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Figure 4 also shows that higher income African Americans are significantly more likely to report
all these experiences, compared to lower income African Americans. For example, 73% of all
Black respondents earning $75,000 or more per year say that someone has referred to them or a
6 Multiple responses were allowed; respondents could answer that these occurrences were about their race, their
gender, their sexual orientation or gender identity, and/or some other reason. The category of “Some other reason”
includes volunteered responses such as religion, personal appearance (e.g., weight), political affiliation, disability,
and not knowing the basis of the slur, negative comment, or expression of fear.
51 52
40 40
45
33
65
73
55
Slurs Insensitive or offensive comments
or negative assumptions
People acting afraid of them
Figure 4:
Percent of African Americans, By Income Level, Saying They Have
Personally Experienced Various Forms of Individual Discrimination
Because of Their Race
All African Americans Blacks earning <$25,000 Blacks earning $75,000+
10
group they belong to using specifically racial slurs, compared to 45% of those earning $25,000
or less per year.7
Additionally, Figure 5 shows that 57% of Black men report people acting afraid of them because
of their race, compared to roughly one quarter (26%) of Black women.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q63c/Q64c. Based on
half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Significant numbers of African Americans, particularly in suburban areas, report they or family
members have experienced violence, threats, harassment because they are Black
Figure 6 shows that 42% of all African Americans say that they or a family member have
experienced violence because they are Black. Another 35% say they have been threatened or
non-sexually harassed because they are Black, and 19% say they have experienced sexual
harassment because they are Black. There are no differences between Black men and women in
their reporting of experiencing sexual harassment because they are Black.8
Additionally, those living in the Midwest (41%) and South (38%) are more likely than their peers
in the Northeast (22%) to say they or a family member have been threatened or non-sexually
harassed because they are Black.
7 These same findings replicate for education differences: African Americans with a college degree are more likely
than those with a high school degree or less to report all three types of experiences. See Pew Research Center
(2016), “Blacks with college experience more likely to say they faced discrimination,” http://pewrsr.ch/2abk7up, for
a similar finding.
8 Black women are, however, much more likely to say they have been sexually harassed because of their gender
(35% of Black women, compared to 9% of Black men). Similarly, 31% of Black women report threats or non-sexual
harassment because of their gender, compared to 19% of Black men. Gender-related findings will be further
analyzed in future reports in this series.
40
57
26
People acting afraid of them
Figure 5:
Percent of African Americans, By Gender, Saying They Have Personally
Experienced People Acting Afraid of Them Because of Their Race
All African Americans Black men Black women
11
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q91. Question asked of
half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Additionally, Figure 7 shows that African Americans living in suburban areas are more likely to
report some of these experiences than African Americans living in urban settings.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q91. Question asked of
half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
For example, 48% of African Americans in suburban areas report experiencing violence,
compared to 32% of Black respondents living in urban settings (Figure 7). This is consistent with
the urban-suburban difference in reporting unfair treatment by the police (Figure 3).
42
35
19
Violence Threats or
non-sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Figure 6:
Percent of African Americans Saying They or a Family Member
Have Experienced Various Forms of Individual Discrimination
Because They Are Black
42
35
48
41
32
26
Violence Threats or non-sexual harassment
Figure 7:
Percent of African Americans, By Metro Status, Saying They or a
Family Member Have Experienced Various Forms of Individual
Discrimination Because They Are Black
All African Americans Blacks in suburban areas Blacks in urban areas
12
36% of Black people say they or a family member have been told or felt they would be
unwelcome in a neighborhood because they are Black
In a separate question on harassment, 36% of African Americans say that they or a family
member have been told or felt as though they would not be welcome in a neighborhood,
building, or housing development because they were Black. Black people living in lower income
areas are more likely (45%) than those in middle income areas (32%) to report this experience.
Avoidance of Discrimination
People were asked whether they ever avoid engaging in certain behaviors to avoid potential
racial discrimination or potential interactions with police or authority figures.
31% of African Americans have avoided calling police when in need, and
22% have avoided medical care, due to concern of racial discrimination
Overall, 31% of African Americans say they have avoided calling the police or other authority
figures, even when in need, out of concern they would be discriminated against because of their
race. Additionally, 22% of African Americans say they have avoided going to a doctor or
seeking health care out of concern that they would be discriminated against or treated poorly
because of their race (Figure 8).
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q62a, Q88. Each question
asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Nearly four in ten (37%) low-income African Americans (those earning $25,000 or less per year)
say they have avoided calling the police, compared to 17% of their higher income peers (those
earning $75,000 or more). There are no significant differences between Black men and women’s
avoidance of calling the police out of concern for racial discrimination.
22
31
Avoided medical care due to
concern for racial discrimination
Avoided calling police when in need
due to concern for racial discrimination
Figure 8:
Percent of African Americans Saying They Have Avoided Medical Care or
Calling the Police When In Need Due to Concern for Discrimination
13
Nearly a quarter of African Americans have considered moving because of discrimination
Furthermore, 23% of African Americans say they have thought about moving or relocating
because they have experienced discrimination or unequal treatment where they live. As Figure 9
shows, younger and lower-earning African Americans are more likely to have considered
moving because of discrimination compared to their older or higher-earning counterparts.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q84. Each question asked
of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Over a quarter of African Americans avoid normal tasks such as using a car or seeking medical
care to avoid possibly interacting with police or government authority figures
People were also asked, “Have you ever avoided doing things that you might normally do, such
as using a car or public transportation, seeking medical care, or participating in political or social
events, because you wanted to avoid possibly interacting with the police or government authority
figures?” Over a quarter (27%) of Black respondents say they have avoided these normal day-today
tasks to avoid possibly interacting with the police or government authority figures.
Over half of African Americans have avoided going to a doctor due to concern for the cost
In a separate question not related to anti-Black discrimination, 52% of Black people say they
have avoided going to a doctor out of concern for the cost. There is no significant difference in
responses to this question among individuals currently with or without health insurance, by
respondent income, or by the income level of a respondent’s area.
23 25 27
23
11
28
15
All African
Americans
Blacks
18-29
Blacks
30-49
Blacks
50-64
Blacks
65+
Blacks
earning
<$25,000
Blacks
earning
$75,000+
Figure 9:
Percent of African Americans, By Age Group and Income,
Saying They Have Considered Moving Because They Have
Experienced Discrimination or Unequal Treatment Where They Live
14
II. Perceptions of Local Community
People were asked to evaluate aspects of life where they live, including how often discrimination
happens to other African Americans there, local employment and educational opportunities, and
how their neighborhood compares to other places to live. Consistently, there are significant
differences between African Americans who say they live in a predominantly Black area and
those who do not in their perceptions and evaluations of their neighborhoods.
Perceptions of Local Discrimination
In addition to their personal experiences of discrimination, people were asked about
discrimination that occurs where they live, across a variety of situations.9 They were asked about
their perceptions of how often, if ever, they believe such discrimination occurs to other African
Americans, using a scale of never, rarely, sometimes, or often.
As Figure 10 shows, 54% of Black respondents say that where they live, other African
Americans “often” experience discrimination when interacting with the police. Additionally,
nearly half (46%) say that where they live, other African Americans often experience
discrimination when both applying to jobs and being paid equally or considered for promotions.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q12, Q14, Q16, Q18,
Q20, Q22, Q24. Each question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
9 These were the same situations discussed in personal experiences of discrimination: applying to jobs; being paid
equally or considered for promotions; interacting with police; trying to vote or participate in politics; going to a
doctor or health clinic; applying to college or while at college; trying to rent a room or apartment or buy a house.
19
22
26
36
46
46
54
Going to doctor or health clinic
Applying to or attending college
Trying to vote or participate in politics
Trying to rent or buy housing
Applying for jobs
Being paid or promoted equally
Interacting with police
Figure 10:
Percent of African Americans Saying Where They Live,
Other African Americans Are "Often" Discriminated Against
In Each Situation Because They Are Black
15
African Americans living in the South are more likely than those in the Northeast to say racial
discrimination often occurs to Blacks in their area when applying to jobs (51% South, 32%
Northeast), when it comes to being paid equally or considered for promotions (51% South, 33%
Northeast), and when interacting with police (62% South, 40% Northeast).
Those who live in urban areas are more likely (45%) than those in rural (37%) or suburban
(31%) settings to say that African Americans in their area “often” experience discrimination
when trying to rent an apartment or buy a house.
Perceptions of Local Opportunity
People were asked to agree or disagree with statements about employment, equal pay, and
children’s educational opportunities in the area where they live. They were also asked whether,
while growing up, they were encouraged to apply for college.
As Figure 11 shows, 71% of African Americans agree with the statement, “African American
people where I live have fewer employment opportunities, just because they are African
American.” Similarly, 61% agree that African Americans in their area are paid less than white
people for equal work, and 64% agree that Black children where they live do not have the same
chances as white children to get a quality education.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q65, Q68, Q72. Each
question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
71
61 64
28
35 33
African Americans where I live have
fewer employment opportunities just
because they are African American
African Americans where I live
are paid less than white people for
equal work, just because they are
African American
African American children where I
live don't have the same chances to
get a quality education as white
children
Figure 11:
African Americans' Perceptions of Unequal Employment,
Pay, & Educational Opportunities in their Neighborhood
Agree Disagree
16
Regarding local educational opportunities, African Americans living in the Midwest (72%) and
South (64%) are more likely to agree that Black children in their area do not have the same
chances for a quality education as white children, compared to African Americans living in the
West (46%).10 African Americans in urban areas (73%) are more likely than African Americans
in suburban (61%) or rural (51%) settings to agree that Black children in their area do not have
the same chances for a quality education as do white children.
African Americans in rural and low-income areas significantly less likely
to have been encouraged to apply to college while growing up
In a separate question related to educational opportunity, people were asked if, while growing
up, they were encouraged to apply for college, discouraged from applying, or whether this was
never discussed. Overall, 61% of all Black respondents say that, while growing up, they were
encouraged to apply for college (Figure 12). Only 5% say they were discouraged from applying.
Figure 12 shows that African Americans currently living in rural areas are significantly less
likely to say they were encouraged to apply to college (43%) compared to their peers in urban
(67%) or suburban (62%) settings.
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q76. Question asked of
half-sample. Total sample N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Similarly, Black respondents currently living in self-described predominantly low-income areas
are also less likely to say they were encouraged to apply to college (49%) than African
Americans living in predominantly middle income areas (65%) (Figure 12).
10 “West,” defined by U.S. Census 4-Region division, includes: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana,
Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming.
61
67
62
43
65
49
All African
Americans
Blacks in
urban areas
Blacks in
suburban areas
Blacks in
rural areas
Blacks in
middle income
areas
Blacks in lower
income areas
Figure 12:
Percent of African Americans Who Were
Encouraged to Apply to College While Growing Up,
By Current Metro Status and Perceived Neighborhood Income Level
17
However, African Americans living in rural areas and in lower-income areas are more likely to
say college was never discussed, rather than that they were discouraged from applying.
Additionally, younger African Americans are significantly more likely to say they were
encouraged while growing up to apply to college: roughly three quarters of African Americans
ages 18-29 (79%) and 30-49 (71%) say they were encouraged to apply to college, compared to
those ages 50-64 (45%) and 65 and older (38%).
Perceptions of Local Police & Government
People were also asked about their experiences and perceptions of police and public safety in
their own neighborhoods. To emphasize their own experiences, rather than national events,
respondents were first told: “Now I’d like to ask you some questions about public safety. Some
of these questions will ask about the police in the area where you live. Many news events over
the past few years have highlighted some of the tensions between police and the communities
they work in. We want you to think about the place where you live and your own personal
experience, rather than events nationwide.”
61% of African Americans believe their local police are more likely
to use unnecessary force on a Black person than on a white person in the same situation
Overall, 61% of Black people believe that, where they live, police officers are more likely to use
unnecessary force on a Black person than on a white person in the same type of situation (Figure
13). African Americans living in the Midwest are more likely to believe this (73%) than their
peers in the Northeast (50%).
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q86. Question asked of
half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Just as likely to use
unnecessary force on
a white person
26%
Police are unlikely to
use unnecessary
force, regardless of
race (vol)
5%
Don't know/Refused
8%
More likely to use
unnecessary force on
a person who is
African American
61%
Figure 13:
African Americans' Beliefs on Likelihood of Police Officers To Use
Unnecessary Force Against Black and White People in Same Situation
18
Another 26% of Black respondents say that police officers are just as likely to use unnecessary
force on a white person in the same type of situation (Figure 13). Five percent (5%) volunteered
that police are unlikely to use unnecessary force, regardless of race.
Only four in ten Black Americans say their local police force
reflects the racial or ethnic background of their neighborhood
When asked about the racial or ethnic background of the police in their neighborhood, 41% of
African Americans say the police force reflects the racial or ethnic background of the people
living in their area, while 45% say the police are mostly of a different racial or ethnic
background than the people living in their area. Fourteen percent (14%) did not know, or
declined to offer an answer.
African Americans in higher income areas are more likely
to say local government represents their views well
When asked, “How well do you feel that your local government represents the views of people
like you,” 54% of African Americans say their local government represents these views
somewhat or very well, while 43% say not too well or not well at all. Roughly two-thirds (67%)
of Black people living in upper income areas and 56% of those living in middle income areas say
very or somewhat well, compared to only 44% of Black respondents in lower income areas.
Additionally, when asked, “How much can people like you affect what your local government
does,” 61% of African Americans say some or a great deal. Those with a college degree are more
likely to say this than other African Americans with less education: 69% of those with a college
degree say some or a great deal, compared to 59% of those with a high school education or less.
Perceptions & Evaluations of Community Environment
People were asked to describe and evaluate aspects of the area where they live, including its
racial composition and their perceptions of the general economic and health status of the
neighborhood.
Overall, 35% of Black respondents say they live in an area or neighborhood that is
predominantly Black. When describing the general economic status of the area in which they
live, 9% say they live in a mostly upper income area, while 41% say they live in a mostly middle
income area. Another 25% say they live in a mainly lower income area, and 25% say they do not
have enough information to say.
Similarly, respondents were asked to describe the overall health and well-being of the place they
live. Forty percent (40%) say their neighborhood is in excellent or good health, 27% say fair or
poor health, and 33% say they do not have enough information to say.
19
African Americans most likely to rate local employment opportunities, quality of public schools,
and availability of public transportation as worse than in other places to live
People were asked to consider ten elements that affect quality of life in a neighborhood, and to
compare these elements to other places to live: “Compared to other places to live, do you think
the (element) where you live is better, worse, or about the same as other places to live?”
These elements include: availability of grocery stores; air quality; quality of drinking water;
quality of available housing; quality of available doctors or health care services; quality of public
schools; availability of local employment opportunities; amount of crime; availability of parks,
green spaces, and recreational areas; and, availability of public transportation options.
In most cases, either the majority or plurality of respondents says that these aspects of their
neighborhood are about the same as other places to live. However, as Figure 14 shows, the top
three aspects of community environment that Black respondents rated as worse in their
neighborhood than in other places to live are: availability of local employment opportunities
(32%), quality of public schools (31%), and availability of public transportation options (29%).
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q85a/b/c/d/e/f/g/h/i/j.
Each question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
11
12
14
16
22
26
26
29
31
32
Air quality
Quality of drinking water
Quality of available doctors
or health care services
Availability of grocery stores
Amount of crime
Quality of available housing
Availability of parks, green
spaces, & recreational areas
Availability of public
transportation options
Quality of public schools
Availability of local
employment opportunities
Figure 14:
Percent of African Americans Saying Each Element of Their
Community Environment Is Worse Than Other Places to Live
20
Roughly a quarter (26%) of African Americans also rank both the availability of parks, green
spaces, and recreational areas, as well as the quality of available housing, as worse than in other
places to live (Figure 14).
There are significant differences in African Americans’ evaluations of their own neighborhoods
between those who say they live in a predominantly Black area and those who do not. This is
discussed in detail in a subsequent section.
African Americans most likely to rate amount of crime, availability of parks, and availability of
grocery stores as better in their neighborhood than in other places to live
Figure 15 shows the elements of their neighborhoods that African Americans rate as “better”
than in other places to live. The top three elements most frequently rated as better in their
neighborhoods than in other places to live are the amount of crime (32%), the availability of
parks, green spaces, and recreational areas (30%), and the availability of grocery stores (27%).
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q85a/b/c/d/e/f/g/h/i/j.
Each question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
12
18
20
23
23
26
26
27
30
32
Availability of local
employment opportunities
Quality of available housing
Quality of public schools
Availability of public
transportation options
Air quality
Quality of drinking water
Quality of available doctors
or health care services
Availability of grocery stores
Availability of parks, green
spaces, & recreational areas
Amount of crime
Figure 15:
Percent of African Americans Saying Each Element of Their
Community Environment Is Better Than Other Places to Live
21
Majority Black vs. Non-Majority Black Neighborhoods
Overall, 35% of African Americans say they live in an area or neighborhood that is
predominantly Black. Consistently, as shown in Table 1, those who say they live in a mainly
Black neighborhood have significantly different experiences and perceptions of their local
community, compared to African Americans who say they live in a non-majority Black area.
For example, Table 1 shows that those who live in a predominantly Black neighborhood are
more likely than those in non-majority Black neighborhoods to say that other African Americans
often experience discrimination when interacting with police (66% vs. 49%), and when trying to
vote or participate in politics (36% vs. 20%).
Additionally, 74% of African Americans living in majority Black neighborhoods agree that
Black children do not have the same chances as white children to get a quality education,
compared to 58% of those living in non-majority Black areas.
Table 1 also shows that those living in majority Black neighborhoods hold significantly different
views about the health and income of the area where they live, as well as the background of the
local police. For example, 58% of those in majority Black areas say their local police force
reflects a different racial or ethnic background of the people in that neighborhood, while 39% of
African Americans in non-majority Black areas say this.
When describing quality of life elements in their neighborhood compared to other places to live
(as in Figure 14), once again, African Americans living in majority Black areas have
significantly different – and more negative – beliefs about their neighborhoods.
Table 1 shows that for six of the ten studied neighborhood elements, people living in majority
Black areas were more likely to rate their neighborhood as worse than other places to live.11
For example, 45% of African Americans living in majority Black neighborhoods say that the
quality of public schools where they live is worse than in other places to live. In non-majority
Black neighborhoods, only 23% of African Americans say this.
11 There are also significant differences among African Americans who say they live in a predominantly lowerincome
area, compared to those living in a predominantly middle-income area. These differences emerge for the
same six community environment elements presented in Table 1.
22
Table 1:
Percent of African Americans Who Report Various Perceptions of Their Local Community,
Among Those Who Live in Majority vs. Non-Majority Black Areas
Perceptions of Local Community
African Americans living in…
Majority
Black areas
(35% of Blacks)
Non-Majority
Black areas
(64% of Blacks)
Perceptions of Local Discrimination
Percent of Black Americans who say, where they live,
other Blacks are “often” discriminated against
because they are Black when…
…Interacting with police 66 49
…Trying to vote or participate in politics 36 20
Perceptions of Local Opportunity
Percent of Black Americans who agree that…
…Black children where they live do not have the same
chances as white children to get a quality education 74 58
Perceptions of Local Police & Government
Percent of Black Americans who say…
…Their local police force is mostly of a different racial or
ethnic background than the people living in the neighborhood 58 39
Perceptions & Evaluations of Community Environment
Percent of Black Americans who say, where they live, the…
…Quality of public schools is worse than in other places 45 23
…Availability of local employment opportunities is worse
than in other places 43 26
…Availability of parks, green spaces, and recreational areas is
worse than in other places 37 20
…Amount of crime is worse than in other places 37 14
…Quality of available housing is worse than in other places 34 22
…Availability of grocery stores is worse than in other places 26 11
Percent of Black Americans who say they…
…Live in a predominantly low income area 40 16
…Live in an area that is mostly in fair or poor health 42 19
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q16, Q18, Q72, Q80,
Q81, Q85a/d/f/g/h/i, Q95. Each question asked of half-sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
23
III. National Beliefs & Political Contact
Overall, 92% of African Americans believe that there is discrimination against African
Americans in America today.
Institutional vs. Individual Discrimination
Those who believe discrimination exists today were also asked: “When it comes to
discrimination against African American people in America today, which do you think is the
bigger problem? Discrimination that is based in laws and government policies, or discrimination
that is based on the prejudice of individual people?”
One-quarter (25%) of African Americans say the bigger problem is discrimination based in laws
and government policies, while 49% say discrimination based on individuals’ prejudice. Another
25% say that both forms of discrimination are equally a problem (Figure 16).
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q2. Question asked of
those who believe there is discrimination among total sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
As Figure 17 shows, the majority or plurality of all age groups identifies individual prejudice as
the larger problem. However, younger African Americans are more likely than their older peers
to identify discrimination based in laws and government policies as the bigger problem: 31% of
those 18-29, compared to 19% of those ages 50 and up, say that discrimination based in laws and
government policies is the bigger problem today.
Discrimination based
in laws and
government policies
25%
Both equally (Vol)
25%
Discrimination based
on the prejudice of
individual people
49%
Figure 16:
African Americans' Perceptions of Which is the Larger Problem:
Discrimination Based on Individuals' Prejudice, or
Discrimination Based in Laws and Government Policies
24
NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Discrimination in
America: Experiences and Views of African Americans, January 26 – April 9, 2017. Q2. Question asked of
those who believe there is discrimination among total sample. Total N=802 African-American U.S. adults.
Similarly, 31% of Black respondents in urban areas say discrimination based in laws and
government policies is the larger problem, compared to 18% of those in rural areas. The majority
(51%) of both groups nonetheless identify discrimination based on the prejudice of individual
people as the larger problem.
Political Contact
Overall, 55% of African Americans say that in the past year, they have been personally contacted
by representatives of a political party, candidate, community organization or ballot issue
encouraging them to vote or support their cause during an election. Being personally contacted in
this way may lead to increased likelihood of voting or other forms of civic or political
participation, particularly among racial and ethnic minority communities.12
More Black women report being contacted in the last year (59%) than do Black men (50%).
Additionally, Black people earning less than $25,000 per year are significantly less likely to be
contacted than their higher income peers: only 42% of those earning under $25,000 they have
been contacted in the last year, compared to 70% of those earning $75,000 or more.
With regard to party affiliation, 66% of African Americans describe themselves as Democrat,
while 18% identify as Independent, 6% as Republican, and 6% as other.
12 See, for example, Lisa García Bedolla and Melissa R. Michelson’s Mobilizing Inclusion: Transforming the
Electorate through Get-Out-the-Vote Campaigns (2012, Yale University Press), and Donald P. Green and Alan S.
Gerber’s Get Out the Vote: How to Increase Voter Turnout (2008, Brookings Institution Press).
49
39
57 56
19
31
24 24
31 28
19 19
Ages 18-29 Ages 30-49 Ages 50-64 Ages 65+
Figure 17:
Percent of African Americans, by Age Group, Saying Which is the Larger
Problem: Discrimination Based on Individuals' Prejudice, or
Discrimination Based in Laws and Government Policies
Discrimination based on
prejudice of individual people
Both equally (vol) Discrimination based in
laws and government policies
25
Conclusion
African Americans report significant and extensive personal experiences of racial discrimination.
Half or more of African Americans say that they have been personally discriminated against
because they are Black when interacting with police (50%), when applying for jobs (56%), and
when being paid equally or considered for promotions (57%). Furthermore, 45% say they or a
family member have been treated unfairly by the court system because they are Black.
A majority of African Americans also report experiencing multiple forms of individual or
interpersonal discrimination, including racial slurs and people making negative assumptions or
insensitive or offensive comments about their race. Nearly half of all African Americans say
people have acted afraid of them because of their race, and 42% also say they have personally
experienced violence because they are Black.
When evaluating their local community, African Americans report beliefs consistent with their
personal experiences: the top areas where African Americans say racial discrimination “often”
happens where they live are when interacting with police and in the workplace. Regarding the
police, 61% of African Americans believe that police officers in their area are more likely to use
unnecessary force on a Black person than on a white person in the same situation. Only 41% say
their local police force reflects the racial background of the neighborhood. Additionally, more
than 60% of all African Americans agree that African Americans where they live are paid less
for equal work and have fewer employment and educational opportunities.
However, younger African Americans (ages 18-29 and 30-49) are more likely to report being
encouraged while growing up to apply for college, compared to older African Americans (ages
50-64 and 65+). Despite the racism many African Americans have experienced, a majority
believes that they and others like them can influence their local government.
In the context of beliefs about the national environment, 92% of all African Americans believe
that discrimination against African Americans exists in America today. Nearly half (49%) of
African Americans believe that discrimination based on individual prejudice is the bigger
problem, compared to 25% of African Americans who say discrimination based in laws and
government policies is the bigger problem. Another 25% say both are equally problematic.
Demographically, Black men are more likely than Black women to report being racially
discriminated against when interacting with the police, trying to secure housing, and trying to
vote. They are also more likely to say people have acted afraid of them because of their race.
There are significant differences in perceptions of local community between African Americans
living in majority Black and non-majority Black neighborhoods. Those in majority Black
neighborhoods are more likely to say that racial discrimination often occurs when interacting
with police or when trying to vote; to describe their area as low income and in fair or poor
health; to say their local police force does not reflect the racial background of the people living
there; and to rate elements of their neighborhoods as worse than in other places to live.
Overall, these findings illustrate the persistent and complex experiences of discrimination and
racism in African Americans’ lives in America today.
26
Methodology
The poll in this study is part of an on-going series of surveys developed by researchers at the
Harvard Opinion Research Program (HORP) at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in
partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and National Public Radio. The research
team consists of the following members at each institution.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Robert J. Blendon, Professor of Health Policy
and Political Analysis and Executive Director of HORP; Logan S. Casey, Research Associate in
Public Opinion; John M. Benson, Senior Research Scientist and Managing Director of HORP;
Justin M. Sayde, Administrative and Research Manager; and Tiffany Chan, Research Fellow.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Carolyn Miller, Senior Program Officer, Research and
Evaluation; Jordan Reese, Director of Media Relations; and Dwayne Proctor, Director,
Achieving Health Equity Portfolio.
NPR: Anne Gudenkauf, Senior Supervising Editor, Science Desk; Joe Neel, Deputy Senior
Supervising Editor, Science Desk; Keith Woods, Vice President, Diversity in News and
Operations; Sara Goo, Acting Managing Editor, Digital News; Vickie Walton-James, Senior
Supervising Editor, National Desk; Luis Clemens, Supervising Editor, National Desk; Alison
Macadam, Senior Editorial Specialist; Alison Kodjak, Correspondent, Science Desk; and Rae
Ellen Bichell, Reporter, Science Desk.
Interviews were conducted by SSRS of Glen Mills (PA) via telephone (including both landline
and cell phone) using random-digit dialing, January 26 – April 9, 2017, among a nationally
representative probability-based sample of 3,453 adults age 18 or older. The survey included
nationally representative samples of Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native
Americans, as well as white Americans;13 men and women, and LGBTQ adults.
This report presents the results specifically for a nationally representative probability-based
telephone (cell and landline) sample of 802 African Americans. The margin of error for total
African American respondents is ±4.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Possible sources of non-sampling error include non-response bias, as well as question wording
and ordering effects. Non-response in telephone surveys produces some known biases in surveyderived
estimates because participation tends to vary for different subgroups of the population.
To compensate for these known biases and for variations in probability of selection within and
across households, sample data are weighted by cell phone/landline use and demographics (sex,
age, education, and Census region) to reflect the true population. Other techniques, including
random-digit dialing, replicate subsamples, and systematic respondent selection within
households, are used to ensure that the sample is representative.
13 African American, Asian American, and white American respondents who also identified as Hispanic or Latino
were included only in the Latino sample.
27
Methodology (continued)
Group
Number of
Interviews
(unweighted n)
Weighted %
Total African Americans 802 100
Half-sample
A 384 --
B 418 --
Gender
Men 369 46
Women 428 54
Age
18-29 151 26
30-49 220 33
50-64 235 26
65+ 192 15
Education
High school grad or less 308 50
Some college 239 28
College grad or more 255 22
Household income
<$25,000 per year 280 41
$25,000 to under $50,000 180 21
$50,000 to under $75,000 112 14
$75,000 or more 164 15
Region
Northeast 137 17
Midwest 127 16
South 423 56
West 95 8
Metro status
Urban 247 32
Suburban 430 52
Rural 102 12
LGBTQ
Yes 48 6
No 739 92
Live in predominantly African American area
Yes 280 35
No 514 64
Income of area where you live
Upper 78 9
Middle 362 41
Lower 172 25
1
NPR
ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
________________________________________________________
Discrimination in America:
Experiences and Views of African Americans
The results presented here are part of a series based on a survey conducted for National Public Radio, the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, via telephone (landline
and cell phone) by SSRS, an independent research company. Interviews were conducted using randomdigit
dialing, January 26 – April 9, 2017, among a nationally representative probability-based sample of
3,453 adults age 18 or older. The survey included nationally representative samples of Latinos, African
Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, as well as white Americans; men and women, and
LGBTQ adults.
This document presents the results specifically for a nationally representative probability-based sample of
802 African Americans. The margin of error for total African American respondents is ±4.1 percentage
points at the 95% confidence level.
Table of Contents
Page #
I. Introduction 2
II. Discrimination 3
III. Employment and Education 14
IV. Community Environment 16
V. Public Safety 20
VI. Health Demographics 24
VII. Demographics 27
Responses shown in the tables that follow are percentages.
2
I. Introduction
(Asked of half-sample A; n= 384)
S5. Have you ever applied for a job?
African
Americans
Yes, has applied for a job 97
No, has not applied for a job 3
DK/Ref -
(Asked of half-sample A; n= 384)
S6. Have you ever been employed for pay?
African
Americans
Yes, has been employed for pay 95
No, has not been employed for
pay 5
DK/Ref -
(Asked of half-sample B; n= 418)
S7. Have you ever applied for college or attended college for any amount of time?
African
Americans
Yes, has applied for or attended
college 65
No, has not applied for or
attended college 35
DK/Ref -
(Asked of half-sample B; n= 418)
S8. Have you ever tried to rent a room or apartment or to apply for a mortgage or buy a home?
African
Americans
Yes, has tried 66
No, has not tried 34
DK/Ref -
3
II. Discrimination
Q1. Generally speaking, do you believe there is or is not discrimination against African American people in America
today?
African
Americans
Yes 92
No 7
DK/Ref 1
(Asked of African Americans who believe there is discrimination against African American people in America
today; n= 743)
Q2. When it comes to discrimination against African American people in America today, which do you think is the
bigger problem?
African
Americans
Discrimination that is based in laws
and government policies 25
Discrimination that is based on the
prejudice of individual people 49
Both equally (vol) 25
DK/Ref 1
4
Now we’d like to ask you some questions more specifically about what goes on in the general area where you live, as
well as your personal experiences. When we say “the area where you live,” we just mean the general neighborhood,
town, or part of town where you live.
Q10. How well do you feel that your local government represents the views of people like you?
African
Americans
Very well 14
Somewhat well 40
Not too well 25
Not well at all 18
DK/Ref 3
Q11. How much can people like you affect what your local government does? Would you say…?
African
Americans
A great deal 26
Some 35
Only a little 26
Not at all 11
DK/Ref 2
5
Now I have some questions about issues that may be facing people where you live. For each of the following, please
tell me how frequently you think this happens to people where you live, using the scale OFTEN, SOMETIMES, RARELY,
or NEVER. Then I’ll ask if you’ve ever personally experienced this, not just where you currently live.
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q12. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
applying for jobs?
African
Americans
Often 46
Sometimes 37
Rarely 11
Never 3
DK/Ref 3
(Asked of African Americans in half-sample A who have ever applied for a job; n=374)
Q13. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when applying for jobs?
African
Americans
Yes 56
No 43
DK/Ref 1
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q14. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when it
comes to being paid equally or considered for promotions?
African
Americans
Often 46
Sometimes 31
Rarely 14
Never 6
DK/Ref 3
(Asked of African Americans in half-sample A who have ever been employed; n=367)
Q15. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when it comes to being paid equally or considered for promotions?
African
Americans
Yes 57
No 42
DK/Ref 1
6
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q16. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
interacting with police?
African
Americans
Often 54
Sometimes 29
Rarely 9
Never 4
DK/Ref 4
(Asked of half-sample A: n=384)
Q17. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when interacting with police?
African
Americans
Yes 50
No 47
Have never interacted with the
police (vol) 3
DK/Ref *
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q18. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
trying to vote or participate in politics?
African
Americans
Often 26
Sometimes 30
Rarely 23
Never 16
DK/Ref 5
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q19. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when trying to vote or participate in politics?
African
Americans
Yes 19
No 78
Have never tried to vote or
participate in politics (vol) 3
DK/Ref *
7
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q20. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
going to a doctor or health clinic?
African
Americans
Often 19
Sometimes 36
Rarely 26
Never 15
DK/Ref 4
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q21. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when going to a doctor or health clinic?
African
Americans
Yes 32
No 67
DK/Ref 1
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q22. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
applying to college or while at college?
African
Americans
Often 22
Sometimes 42
Rarely 16
Never 13
DK/Ref 7
(Asked of African Americans in half-sample B who have ever applied to or attended college; n=298)
Q23. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when applying to college or while at college?
African
Americans
Yes 36
No 62
DK/Ref 2
8
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q24. How often, if ever, do you believe African American people where you live experience discrimination when
trying to rent a room or apartment or buy a house?
African
Americans
Often 36
Sometimes 38
Rarely 13
Never 10
DK/Ref 3
(Asked of African Americans in half-sample B who have ever tried to rent or buy a place to live; n=307)
Q25. What about you? Do you believe you have ever personally experienced discrimination because you are African
American when trying to rent a room or apartment or buy a house?
African
Americans
Yes 45
No 54
DK/Ref 1
9
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q61. Have you ever avoided going to a doctor or seeking health care for you or others in your family out of concern for
the cost?
African
Americans
Yes 52
No 48
DK/Ref -
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q62a. Have you ever avoided going to a doctor or seeking health care for you or others in your family out of concern
that you would be discriminated against or treated poorly because you or they are African American?
African
Americans
Yes 22
No 78
DK/Ref -
10
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q63. In your day-to-day life, have any of the following things ever happened to you, or not?
a. Someone referred to you or a group you belong to using a slur or other negative word
African
Americans
Yes, has happened 58
No, has not happened 42
DK/Ref -
b. Someone made negative assumptions or insensitive or offensive comments about you
African
Americans
Yes, has happened 66
No, has not happened 33
DK/Ref 1
c. People acted as if they were afraid of you
African
Americans
Yes, has happened 48
No, has not happened 50
DK/Ref 2
11
Q63a. In your day-to-day life, have any of the following things ever happened to you, or not?
Someone referred to you or a group you belong to using a slur or other negative word
If Yes, ask:
Q64a. Do you believe this happened to you because of your race or ethnicity, your gender, or was it for some other
reason?
Q63a/Q64a Combo Table
Based on total half-sample B; n=418
African
Americans
Someone has referred to you or a group you belong to using a slur or
other negative word (total) 58
...and you believe it happened to you because...
Race or ethnicity 51
Gender 14
Sexual orientation 3
Gender identity 1
Religion/Religious views (vol) *
My appearance (weight, height, the way I dressed, hair, etc) (vol) 1
Political reasons/Political affiliation (vol) -
Mean/angry/rude/being a bully (vol) 2
Envy/Jealousy (vol) -
Work position/authoritative position/other work reasons (vol) *
Handicap/disability (vol) -
Personality (vol) *
Social Reasons (vol) *
Some other reason 2
DK/Ref 1
No, has not happened 42
DK/Ref -
12
Q63b. In your day-to-day life, have any of the following things ever happened to you, or not?
Someone made negative assumptions or insensitive or offensive comments about you
If Yes, ask:
Q64b. Do you believe this happened to you because of your race or ethnicity, your gender, or was it for some other
reason?
Q63b/Q64b Combo Table
Based on total half-sample B; n=418
African
Americans
Someone has made negative assumptions or insensitive or offensive
comments about you (total) 66
...and you believe it happened to you because...
Race or ethnicity 52
Gender 19
Sexual orientation 2
Gender identity 2
Religion/Religious views (vol) 1
My appearance (weight, height, the way I dressed, hair, etc) (vol) 2
Political reasons/Political affiliation (vol) *
Mean/angry/rude/being a bully (vol) 2
Envy/Jealousy (vol) 1
Work position/authoritative position/other work reasons (vol) *
Handicap/disability (vol) *
Personality (vol) *
Social reasons (vol) *
Some other reason 4
DK/Ref 3
No, has not happened 33
DK/Ref 1
13
Q63c. In your day-to-day life, have any of the following things ever happened to you, or not?
People acted as if they were afraid of you
If Yes, ask:
Q64c. Do you believe this happened to you because of your race or ethnicity, your gender, or was it for some other
reason?
Q63c/Q64c Combo Table
Based on total half-sample B; n=418
African
Americans
People have acted as if they were afraid to you (total) 48
...and you believe it happened to you because...
Race or ethnicity 40
Gender 10
Sexual orientation *
Gender identity -
Religion/Religious views (vol) *
My appearance (weight, height, the way I dressed, hair, etc) (vol) 3
Political reasons/Political affiliation (vol) -
Mean/angry/rude/being a bully (vol) 1
Envy/Jealousy *
Work position/authoritative position/other work reasons (vol) *
Handicap/disability (vol) -
Personality (vol) 2
Social reasons (vol) *
Some other reason 3
DK/Ref 2
No, has not happened 50
DK/Ref 2
14
III. Employment & Education
Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements about employment opportunities and the
workplace. For each of the following statements about employment opportunities and the workplace, please tell me if
you STRONGLY AGREE, SOMEWHAT AGREE, SOMEWHAT DISAGREE, OR STRONGLY DISAGEE:
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q65. African American people where I live have fewer employment opportunities just because they are African
American. Do you…?
African
Americans
Strongly agree 35
Somewhat agree 36
Somewhat disagree 18
Strongly disagree 10
DK/Ref 1
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q68. African American people where I live are paid less than white people for equal work, because they are African
American. Do you…?
African
Americans
Strongly agree 31
Somewhat agree 30
Somewhat disagree 23
Strongly disagree 12
DK/Ref 4
15
Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements about education and schooling. For each
of the following statements about education and schooling, please tell me if you STRONGLY AGREE, SOMEWHAT
AGREE, SOMEWHAT DISAGREE, OR STRONGLY DISAGEE:
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q72. Because of the way the schools operate where I live, African American children here don’t have the same
chances to get a quality education as white children. Do you…?
African
Americans
Strongly agree 36
Somewhat agree 28
Somewhat disagree 21
Strongly disagree 12
DK/Ref 3
Now I have a different type of question, but still about education.
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q76. When you were growing up, were you encouraged to apply to college, discouraged from applying for college, or
was this never discussed?
African
Americans
Encouraged to apply to college 61
Discouraged from applying for college 5
Never discussed 32
DK/Ref 2
16
IV. Community Environment
Q78. People often describe some neighborhoods or areas as predominantly one group or another, such as a
predominantly African American or white neighborhood. Would you say that the area where you live is
predominantly African American, or not?
African
Americans
Predominantly African American 35
Not predominantly African American 64
DK/Ref 1
Q80. If you were describing the place where you live, would you say that it is mostly upper income, mostly middle
income, or mostly lower income, or is this something you don’t have enough information about to say?
African
Americans
Upper income 9
Middle income 41
Lower income 25
Don’t have enough information 25
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q81. If you were describing the health and well-being of the place where you live, would you say that it is mostly
excellent health, good health, only fair health, or poor health, or is this something you don’t have enough information
about to say?
African
Americans
Excellent health 10
Good health 30
Only fair health 18
Poor health 9
Don’t have enough information 33
17
Q82. Have you or a family member who is also African American been told or felt as though you wouldn’t be welcome
in a neighborhood, building, or housing development you were interested in because you are African American?
African
Americans
Yes 36
No 63
DK/Ref 1
Q84. Have you ever thought about moving or relocating to another area because you experienced discrimination or
unequal treatment where you were living?
If Yes, ask:
Have you thought about moving because of discrimination, but haven’t actually moved or have you actually moved or
relocated because of discrimination?
African
Americans
No, I’ve never thought about it 77
Yes, have thought about moving because of
discrimination where I live (NET) 23
I’ve thought about moving because of
discrimination, but haven’t actually moved 16
I’ve actually moved/relocated because of
discrimination 7
DK/Ref -
18
(Asked of half-sample B; n=418)
Q85. Compared to other places to live, do you think the (INSERT ITEM) where you live is BETTER, WORSE, or ABOUT
THE SAME as other places to live?
a. Availability of grocery stores
African
Americans
Better 27
Worse 16
About the same 55
DK/Ref 2
b. Air quality
African
Americans
Better 23
Worse 11
About the same 63
DK/Ref 3
c. Quality of drinking water
African
Americans
Better 26
Worse 12
About the same 56
DK/Ref 6
d. Quality of available housing
African
Americans
Better 18
Worse 26
About the same 53
DK/Ref 3
e. Quality of available doctors or health care services
African
Americans
Better 26
Worse 14
About the same 56
DK/Ref 4
19
f. Quality of public schools
African
Americans
Better 20
Worse 31
About the same 44
DK/Ref 5
g. Availability of local employment opportunities
African
Americans
Better 12
Worse 32
About the same 50
DK/Ref 6
h. Amount of crime
African
Americans
Better 32
Worse 22
About the same 44
DK/Ref 2
i. Availability of parks, green spaces, and recreational areas
African
Americans
Better 30
Worse 26
About the same 43
DK/Ref 1
j. Availability of public transportation options
African
Americans
Better 23
Worse 29
About the same 45
DK/Ref 3
20
V. Public Safety
Now I’d like to ask you some questions about public safety. Some of these questions will ask about the police in the
area where you live. Many news events over the past few years have highlighted some of the tensions between police
and the communities they work in. We want you to think about the place where you live and your own personal
experience, rather than events nationwide.
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q86. Do you believe that police officers where you live are more likely to use unnecessary force on a person who is
African American or are they just as likely to use unnecessary force on a white person given the same type of
situation?
African
Americans
More likely to use unnecessary force on a person
who is African American 61
Just as likely to use unnecessary force on a white
person 26
More likely to use unnecessary force against a white
person (vol) *
Police are unlikely to use unnecessary force,
regardless of race (vol) 5
DK/Ref 8
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q88. Have you ever avoided calling the police or other authority figures, even when in need, out of concern that you or
others in your family would be discriminated against because you or they are African American?
African
Americans
Yes 31
No 67
DK/Ref 2
21
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q89. Have you ever avoided doing things that you might normally do, such as using a car or public transportation,
seeking medical care, or participating in political or social events, because you wanted to avoid possibly interacting
with the police or government authority figures?
If Yes, ask:
Q90. How often would you say you avoided doing things you might normally do, to avoid the police or government
authority figures?
Q89/Q90 Combo Table
Based on total half-sample A; n=384
African
Americans
Have ever avoided doing things they might
normally do because they wanted to avoid
possibly interacting with the police or
government authority figures
27
Frequently 8
Sometimes 13
Not often 6
No, have not 73
DK/Ref -
22
Now I’m going to ask you a few questions about things that may have ever happened to you. Some of these may be
difficult to think or talk about, but please do your best. Your honest answers can really help.
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q91. Do you believe that you or someone in your family has (INSERT ITEM) because you or they are African
American?
Q91 Summary Table: % saying “Yes”
African
Americans
Experienced sexual harassment 19
Been threatened or non-sexually
harassed 35
Been unfairly stopped or treated by
the police 60
Been unfairly treated by the courts 45
Experienced violence 42
(Asked of half-sample A; n=384)
Q95. Do you believe that the police force in your area reflects the racial or ethnic background of the people living in
your area, or are the police mostly of a different racial or ethnic background than the people living in your area?
African
Americans
Police force reflects the racial or ethnic
background of the people living in your area 41
Police mostly of a different racial or ethnic
background than the people living in your area 45
DK/Ref 14
23
Q96. In the past year, have you been personally contacted by representatives of a political party, candidate,
community organization, or ballot issue encouraging you to vote or support their cause during an election? For
example, someone knocking on your door or calling you on the phone?
African
Americans
Yes 55
No 45
DK/Ref -
Q97. Are you registered to vote at your current address, registered to vote somewhere else, or are you not registered
to vote?
African
Americans
Registered to vote 84
Registered at current address 73
Registered somewhere else 11
Not registered to vote 15
DK/Ref 1
Q97. Are you registered to vote at your current address, registered to vote somewhere else, or are you not registered
to vote?
If registered to vote (n=706), ask:
Q98. Did you vote in the 2016 presidential election when Hillary Clinton ran against Donald Trump, did something
prevent you from voting, or did you choose not to vote?
Q97/Q98 Combo Table
Based on total respondents
African
Americans
Registered to vote 84
Yes, voted 68
No, did not vote 16
Not registered to vote 15
DK/Ref 1
24
VI. Health Demographics
Q99. In general, how would you describe your own physical health – excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?
African
Americans
Excellent 19
Very good 26
Good 28
Fair 21
Poor 6
DK/Ref *
Q100. In general, how would you describe your own mental health – excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?
African
Americans
Excellent 38
Very good 24
Good 24
Fair 11
Poor 3
DK/Ref -
Q101. Does any disability keep you from participating fully in work, school, housework, or other activities?
African
Americans
Yes 27
No 73
DK/Ref *
Q102. Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you have a chronic illness, such as heart
disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma or a mental health condition, or haven’t they?
African
Americans
Yes 50
No 50
DK/Ref *
25
Q103. Do you receive regular care from the Veterans Administration?
African
Americans
Yes 8
No 92
DK/Ref *
Q105. Do you have a regular doctor or health care professional that provides most of your health care when you are
sick or have a health concern, or do you not?
African
Americans
Yes 82
No 18
DK/Ref *
Q106. Where do you usually go when you are sick or when you need advice about your health? Is it a hospital
emergency room, a clinic at a hospital, a neighborhood clinic or health center, a private doctor’s office, or do you have
no usual place of care?
African
Americans
Hospital emergency room 14
Clinic at a hospital 13
Neighborhood clinic or health center 15
Private doctor’s office 48
No usual place of care 8
Urgent Care (vol) *
Veterans Administration/Military care (vol) 1
Other 1
DK/Ref -
26
Q107. Are you, yourself, now covered by any form of health insurance or health plan? This would include any private
insurance plan through your employer or that you purchased yourself, as well as a government program like Medicare
or Medicaid.
African
Americans
Yes 88
No 11
DK/Ref 1
Q107. Are you, yourself, now covered by any form of health insurance or health plan? This would include any private
insurance plan through your employer or that you purchased yourself, as well as a government program like Medicare
or Medicaid.
If covered by health insurance, ask:
Q108. Which of the following is your main source of health insurance coverage? Is it a plan through your employer, a
plan through your spouse’s employer, a plan you purchased yourself either from an insurance company or a state or
federal marketplace, are you covered by Medicare or Medicaid, a plan through your parents, or do you get your health
insurance from somewhere else?
Q107/Q108 Combo Table
Based on total respondents
African
Americans
Yes, covered by health insurance 88
Plan through your employer 27
Plan through your spouse’s employer 5
Plan you purchased yourself either through an insurance
company or state or federal marketplace 9
Medicare 17
Medicaid 16
Plan through your parents 9
Veterans administrative/Military (vol) 2
Somewhere else 1
DK/Ref 2
No, not covered by health insurance 11
DK/Ref 1
27
VII. Demographics
Self-Reported Gender
African
Americans
Male 46
Female 54
Age Table
African
Americans
18 to 29 26
30 to 49 33
50 to 64 26
65 or older 15
Refused *
D3. What is the last grade or class that you completed in school?
African
Americans
High school or less (NET) 50
Less than high school (grades 1-11, grade 12, but
no diploma) 13
High school graduate or equivalent (e.g. GED) 37
Some college but no degree (incl. 2 year occupational
or vocational programs) 29
College or post graduate (NET) 22
College graduate (e.g. BA, AB, BS) 15
Postgraduate (e.g. MA, MS,, Med, MSW, MBA, MD,
DDs, PhD, JD, LLB, DVM) 7
DK/Ref -
D4. Are you currently employed full-time, part-time, or not currently employed?
African
Americans
Employed full-time 41
Employed part-time 15
Not currently employed 44
DK/Ref *
LGBTQ Identity Table
African
Americans
Straight and cisgender 92
LGBTQ 6
Refused 2
28
D11. Are you currently married, living with a partner, divorced, separated, widowed or have you never been married?
African
Americans
Married 26
Living with a partner 5
Divorced 12
Separated 6
Widowed 7
Never been married 44
Refused 1
D12/D12a/D12b Income Summary Table
African
Americans
<$25,000 per year 41
$25,000 to under $50,000 21
$50,000 to under $75,000 14
$75,000 or more 15
Unspecified under $100,000 4
Don’t know 2
Refused 3
D15. In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, an Independent, or what?
African
Americans
Republican 6
Democrat 66
Independent 18
Other 6
DK/Ref 4
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