CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

For release: Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

6:30 pm EDT

The State of Race Relations in the U.S.

July 14-19, 2015

Americans negative views of race relations in the U.S. persist. 57% say race relations are
bad; blacks (68%) are more likely than whites (56%) to hold this view.

While most think there has been progress in getting rid of racial discrimination, many
Americans say they personally know people who are prejudiced.

The poll suggests Barack Obamas presidency has not united whites and blacks. Just 15% of
Americans say his presidency has brought these groups closer together, 47% think his
presidency has made no difference, while 34% think it has pushed whites and blacks further
apart.

African Americans are more critical than whites of key aspects of society, including the
criminal justice system (77% say its biased against blacks, up from 61% in 2013), and at the
ballot box 50% of blacks think black Americans are more likely than whites to encounter
problems when voting.

Whether at home, at work or more generally, whites report far less interaction with blacks,
than blacks have with whites. And a majority of both blacks and whites think most people are
uncomfortable having a conversation about race with someone of another race.

Overall Views of Race Relations

Current views of race relations, along with results from a CBS News/New York Times Poll conducted
in April, represent the most pessimistic evaluations seen since the early 1990s. 57% of Americans
now say that race relations in the U.S. are bad; just 37% say they are good.
Positive opinions of race relations rose above 50% in the 2000s, and reached a high of 66% in April
2009, shortly after Barack Obama took office. But those positive assessments have not lasted: in
mid-2014, after the conflicts between blacks and the police in Ferguson, MO., the percentage that
said race relations are good dropped.

Good
Bad

Now
37%
57

Race Relations in the U.S.

4/2015 2/2015
8/2014 1/2012 4/2009
34%
52%
47%
62%
66%
61
38
44
30
22

7/2008 6/1997
53% 38%
37
52

5/1992
25%
68

Both blacks and whites view race relations negatively although more blacks (68%) than whites
(56%) say they are bad.
Race Relations in the U.S.
Whites
Blacks
Good
37%
28%
Bad
56
68
1

The poll doesnt show much hope for improvement either; just 21% say race relations are getting
better, while more -38%- think they are getting worse.
Race Relations in the U.S. Are Getting
Total
Whites
Better
21%
21%
Worse
38
40
Staying the same
39
38

Blacks
18%
40
40

But there is a positive note in the poll: Americans are more apt to rate race relations in their own
community positively. 77% say they are generally good, while just 20% say they are bad. Blacks
(29%) are more likely than whites (17%) to say race relations are bad where they live, although two
thirds say local race relations are good.
Race Relations in Your Community
Total Whites Blacks
Good
77% 79% 67%
Bad
20
17
29
And while 71% of Americans say there has been real progress getting rid of racial discrimination
since the 1960s, that is the lowest that percentage has been since 2000.

Yes
No

Now
71%
24

Real Progress in Getting Rid of Racial Discrimination?

2/2015 6/2014 8/2013 7/2008 2/2000 6/1997 12/1996 5/1992
76%
78% 73%
76%
71%
61%
56%
50%
20
19
20
20
26
34
39
46

Again, the views of blacks and whites differ significantly.

Real Progress in Getting Rid of Racial Discrimination?
Total
Whites
Blacks
Yes
71%
75%
56%
No
24
21
41
Yet just one in ten Americans and one in five blacks say that improving race relations is the
single most important issue for the future of the U.S. More than four in five Americans (and 74% of
blacks) say it is important, but so are other issues.
Importance of Improving Race Relations to Future of U.S.
Total Whites Blacks
Single most important issue
10%
6% 20%
Important, but so are other issues 82
85
74
Not important
7
7
4
Prejudice and Discrimination
Blacks and whites report very different personal experiences when it comes to discrimination. Just
31% of whites say they can think of a specific instance where they felt discriminated against
because of their race, but this percentage rises to 72% among African Americans

Ever Felt Discriminated Against Because of your Race?

Total
Whites
Blacks
Yes
42%
31%
72%
No
57
69
27
Many Americans say they personally know people who are prejudiced. Nearly two-thirds know white
people who are prejudiced against blacks, while fewer (about half) say they know blacks who are
prejudiced against whites.
Americans age 45 and over are more likely than those who are younger to know whites who are
prejudiced against blacks (72%).
Personally Know Any White People who are Prejudiced against Blacks?
Total
Whites
Blacks
Age 18-44
Age 45+
Yes
65%
68%
61%
58%
72%
No
34
31
38
41
27
Personally Know Any Black People who are Prejudiced against Whites?
Total
Whites
Blacks
Age 18-44
Age 45+
Yes
49%
46%
58%
47%
51%
No
49
53
40
52
47
Just over half of Americans overall and a similar percentage of whites think members of both
races have an equal chance of getting ahead in todays society. But views among blacks are
different; 60% think whites have a better chance to get ahead, up from 46% a year ago.
Who Has a Better Chance of Getting Ahead Today?
********** Now ********
********** June 2014 ********
Total Whites Blacks
Total Whites
Blacks
White people
39% 35%
60%
30% 28%
46%
Black people
5
7
1
5
5
4
Equal
51
55
35
61
63
46
58% of Americans support programs that help minorities get ahead; 35% oppose them. These
figures have changed little over the years.

Favor
Oppose

Now
58%
35

Programs That Help Minorities Get Ahead

3/2011
6/2009
7/2008
2/2000
51%
50%
51%
59%
40
41
42
32

12/1997
55%
39

However, there are sizable differences in support for such programs between whites and blacks;
blacks are far more apt to say they favor these programs.
Programs That Help Minorities Get Ahead
Total
Whites
Blacks
Favor
58%
51%
83%
Oppose
35
41
14

Personal Experiences: How Integrated are Blacks and Whites?

Whether at home, at work or more generally, the poll finds whites report far less interaction with
blacks, than blacks have with whites. When white Americans are asked about the racial make-up of
their community, a majority (79%) say few or none of the people who live in their immediate area are
black, and nearly seven in 10 regularly come into contact with either few or no black people. Results
are similar when asked about their workplace: 81% of whites currently working say few or none of
their co-workers are black.
Whites: Interaction with Black Americans
(Among Whites)
None/A few
How many people who live in your area are black?
79%

Half/Almost All
20

How many people you come into regular contact with are black?

68%

30

How many people you work with are black?*

81%

19

*among whites who are employed

But African Americans are more likely to say they encounter whites in all three areas measured in
the poll. 48% report that half or almost all of the people in their immediate area are white, 64% say
that at least half of the people they come into regular contact with are white, and 71% say half or
more of their co-workers are white.
Blacks: Interaction with White Americans
(Among blacks)
None/A few
How many people who live in your area are white?
51%

Half/Almost All
48

How many people you come into regular contact with are white?

35%

64

How many people you work with are white?*

28 %

71

*among blacks who are employed

Still, majorities of both whites and blacks say they have at least one close friend of another race.
Are Any of your Close Friends White/Black?
Yes
No
Among whites: Are any of your close friends black?
69% 30
Among blacks: Are any of your close friends white?

77%

23

Talking About Race

The poll also suggests Americans face difficulties talking about race. Majorities of both blacks (71%)
and whites (60%) think most Americans are uncomfortable discussing the issue of race with
someone of another race.
But they are much more positive about their own comfort level: most blacks and whites say they
themselves are comfortable having a conversation about race with someone of another race.

Comfortable
Not comfortable

Comfort Having a Conversation About Race

with Someone of Another Race
-------Among Whites -------------- Among Blacks -------Yourself
Most people
Yourself
Most people
75%
33%
73%
26%
21
60
25
71

Race Relations and the Obama Presidency

While Americans were optimistic about the state of race relations at the start of Barack Obamas
presidency, this poll suggests that the nations first black president has not been able to unite whites
and blacks. Just 15% of Americans think Barack Obamas presidency has brought whites and blacks
closer together. Instead, 47% think his presidency has made no difference, while 34% think his
presidency has pushed blacks and whites further apart.
Blacks (30%) are more likely than whites (11%) to think the Obama presidency has brought blacks
and whites closer together, though about half of both groups think his presidency hasnt made much
difference.
Has Barack Obamas Presidency?
Total
Whites
Brought whites and blacks closer together
15%
11%
Pushed whites and blacks further apart
34
41
No effect
47
45

Blacks
30%
15
50

Americans give a mixed review to President Obama for his handling of race relations in the U.S.,
and white and black Americans assess his presidency differently on this measure. Overall, 46% of
Americans approve of how Barack Obama is handling race relations, while 44% disapprove. Among
whites, more disapprove (50%) than approve (40%), while blacks overwhelmingly approve (72%).
President Obamas Handling of Race Relations
Total
Whites
Blacks
Approve
46%
40%
72%
Disapprove
44
50
20
More specifically, although 62% of white Americans think the Obama administrations policies treat
both blacks and whites equally, more than a quarter of whites (27%) think his policies favor blacks
over whites, up from just 12% in 2010 and this rises to 49% among whites who disapprove of the
Presidents handling of race relations.
In contrast, 85% of blacks think the policies of the Obama Administration favor both blacks and
whites equally.
Do the Policies of the Obama Administration?
********** Now ***********
********* 2010 ***********
Total Whites Blacks
Total Whites Blacks
Treat both the same
67% 62%
85%
83% 81%
93%
Favor blacks over whites
22
27
2
11
12
3
Favor whites over blacks
4
3
7
2
1
1
Still, 45% of Americans think President Obama has been judged more harshly because he is black;
blacks (80%) are far more likely to think so than whites (37%).
5

Have Most Americans Judged Barack Obama?

Total
Whites
More harshly because hes black
45%
37%
Less harshly because hes black
9
10
Being black has had no effect
42
48

Blacks
80%
4
14

And while many Americans remain critical of President Obamas handling of race relations, more
Americans think the Democratic Party (44%) is more likely to improve race relations than the
Republican Party (23%).
Which Party is More Likely to Improve Race Relations?
Total
Whites
Blacks
Democratic Party
44%
40%
65%
Republican Party
23
29
10
Race, the Criminal Justice System and the Police
Half of Americans now say that the criminal justice system in the U.S. is biased against blacks, up
from 35% two years ago. This is the highest that figure has been since the question was first asked
in 1994.
U.S. Criminal Justice System is
Now 8/2013 1/2007
2/2000
Biased in favor of blacks
5%
5%
2%
2%
Biased against blacks
49
35
36
43
Treats blacks fairly
40
43
49
43

9/1995
6%
33
52

7/1994
6%
25
56

Among blacks, 77% say it is biased, up from 61% two years ago.
U.S. Criminal Justice System is
********* Now *********
****** Aug 2013 *****
Total Whites Blacks
Total Whites Blacks
Biased in favor of blacks
5%
5%
1%
5%
5%
8%
Biased against blacks
49
44
77
35
30
61
Treats blacks fairly
40
46
17
43
48
19
In comparison, just 6% of Americans say it is biased against whites, 26% say it is biased in favor of
whites, and 59% say it treats them fairly.
Views of the police are similarly different depending on race. A sizable minority of Americans (41%)
think the police are more apt to use deadly force against a black person a figure that rises to 74%
among blacks, and even higher to 83% among black men.
Police Are Most Likely to Use Deadly Force Against
Black
Total
Whites
Blacks
Men
A black person
41%
34%
74%
83%
A white person
1
1
Race doesnt matter 52
58
22
14

Black
Women
67%
28
6

There have been a number of high profile deaths of blacks by police in recent months, and 38% of
the public thinks the number of unarmed black people killed by police has increased in the past year;
64% of blacks concur.
Number of Unarmed Blacks Killed by Police in Past Year Has
Black Black
Total Whites Blacks
Men Women
Increased
38% 31% 64%
58% 68%
Decreased
4
4
1
2
1
Stayed the same
48
54
31
38
24
While three in four Americans, and 82% of whites, say their local police make them feel mostly safe,
some blacks have a different view. Fewer -- 58% -- say the police make them feel safe, and 37%
say the police make them anxious.
Do Police in Your Community Make you Feel?
Black
Total Whites
Blacks
Men
Mostly safe
76% 82%
58%
53%
Mostly anxious
21
17
37
42

Black
Women
62%
34

The poll also suggests that whites and blacks have different experiences when it comes to their
interactions with police. Few whites say they have been stopped by the police as a result of their
race or ethnic background, but 41% of blacks say that has happened to them. These percentages
have been consistent since 2000.
Perhaps even more striking is that more than six in 10 black men feel they have been stopped by
police because of their race.
Ever Stopped by Police Because of Your Race or Ethnic Background?
Black Black
Total Whites Blacks
Men Women
Yes
13%
5% 41%
64% 24%
No
86
95
57
36
73
Voting in the U.S.
The poll included questions on voting difficulties and limits, and the results find whites and blacks
again hold quite different views.
When it comes to voting, seven in 10 white Americans think blacks and whites are treated the same,
but 50% of blacks think black Americans are more likely to face problems voting than whites.
Who Is More Likely to Encounter Problems Voting?
Total
Whites
Blacks
White people
3%
3%
2%
Black people
27
24
50
No difference
67
71
47
In recent years, some states and counties have pushed to shorten the voting hours and times
available for people to vote early and absentee. Only 20% of whites think these reductions are
attempts to suppress votes, this rises to 46% among blacks. Many dont know enough to say.
7

Shortening Early Voting Hours in Some States

Is an Attempt to.
Total
Whites
Save money
18%
19%
Make it harder for minorities to vote
22
20
Dont know enough to say
54
53

Blacks
11%
46
40

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------This poll was conducted by telephone July 14-19, 2015 among a random sample of 1,205 adults nationwide.
Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by SSRS of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed
from random samples of both standard land-line and cell phones.
Additional interviews were conducted with African Americans, who had previously completed a survey as part
of a random sample, to yield a sample size of 312 African Americans. 751 whites were interviewed.
The combined African American and non-African American samples were weighted separately to match their
groups population characteristics such as gender, age, education, region, marital status and phone use based
on recent U.S. Census estimates. The samples were then combined and weighted to the total U.S. adult
population.
The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The error for subgroups may be higher. The margin of error for the sample of whites is 4 points and 8 points
for African Americans. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. This poll release conforms to the
Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

The State of Race Relations in the U.S.
July 14-19, 2015
Q1. Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously
gotten off on the wrong track?

Right direction
Wrong track
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
27
24
37
66
71
54
7
5
9

May15c
%
33
63
5

Q2. Which comes closer to your view? In today's economy, (everyone has a fair chance to get ahead in the long run) or
in today's economy, (it's mainly just a few people at the top who have a chance to get ahead)?
Everyone has a fair chance to get ahead
Just a few people at top get ahead
Don't know/No answer

38
58
5

37
59
5

39
59
3

35
61
4

Q3. Do you think race relations in the United States are generally good or generally bad?

Generally good
Generally bad
Don't know/No answer

37
57
6

37
56
6

28
68
4

Apr15d
34
61
5

Q4. Do you think race relations in the United States are getting better, getting worse or staying about the same?
Getting better
Getting worse
Staying the same
Don't know/No answer

21
38
39
1

21
40
38
1

18
40
40
2

17
44
37
2

Q5. Do you think race relations in your community are generally good or generally bad?

Generally good
Generally bad
Don't know/No answer

77
20
3

79
17
4

67
29
4

Feb15d
79
16
5

Q6. In general, who do you think has a better chance of getting ahead in todays society (white people), (black
people), or do white people and black people have about an equal chance of getting ahead?

White people
Black people
Equal
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
39
35
60
5
7
1
51
55
35
4
4
3

Jun14c2
%
30
5
61
4

Q18. In order to make up for past discrimination, do you favor or oppose programs which make special efforts to help
minorities get ahead?

Favor
Oppose
Don't know/No answer

58
35
8

51
41
8

83
14
4

Mar11a
51
40
10

Q7. Some people say that since the 1960s there has been a lot of real progress in getting rid of racial discrimination
against blacks. Others say that there hasnt been much real progress for blacks over that time. Which do you agree with
more? Would you say theres been a lot of real progress getting rid of racial discrimination or hasnt there been much
real progress?

Been a lot of real progress

Hasn't been much real progress
Don't know/No answer

71
24
5

75
21
5

56
41
3

Feb15d
76
20
4

Q8. How important is improving race relations to the future of the U.S. --is it the single most important issue, or is it
important but so are other issues, or is it not important to the future of the U.S.?
The single most important issue
Important, but so are other issues
Not important to the future of the U.S
Don't know/No answer

10
82
7
2

6
85
7
2

20
74
4
1

Q9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling race relations?
Approve
Disapprove
Don't know/No answer

46
44
10

40
50
10

72
20
8

Q10. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the (Republican Party) or the (Democratic Party) is more likely to
improve race relations in this country?

Republican Party
Democratic Party
Both (Vol.)
Neither (Vol.)
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
23
29
10
44
40
65
3
3
2
15
15
15
14
13
8

Feb00a
%
21
49
3
11
16

Q11. Do you think most people you know would vote for a presidential candidate who is black, or not?

Would
Would not
Don't know/No answer

62
25
12

64
24
12

64
28
8

REG
Jul08a
70
18
12

Q12. Would you personally vote for a presidential candidate who is black, or not?

Would
Would not
Don't know/No answer

82
10
8

85
8
6

77
15
9

REG
Jul08a
92
4
4

Q13. In general, who do you think is more likely to encounter problems when trying to vote (white people), (black
people), or isnt there much difference?

White people
Black people
No difference
Don't know/No answer

3
27
67
3

3
24
71
3

2
50
47
1

Feb15d
3
27
67
3

Q14. In recent years, some state legislatures and officials have shortened the voting hours and times available for people
to vote early or absentee. From what you may have heard, do you think such efforts are (mainly an attempt to save
money for states with budget problems), or (mainly an attempt to make it harder for minority and lower income groups
to vote), or haven't you heard enough about this yet to say?
To save money
To make it harder for minorities to vote
Haven't heard enough to say
Both (Vol.)
Neither (Vol.)
Don't know/No answer

18
22
54
1
3
3

19
20
53
1
3
4

11
46
40
*
*
2

Q15. In general, do you think the policies of the Obama Administration favor (whites over blacks), favor (blacks over
whites), or do they treat both groups the same?

Favor whites over blacks

Favor blacks over white
Treat both the same
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
4
3
7
22
27
2
67
62
85
7
8
5

Apr10a
%
2
11
83
4

Q16. Has Barack Obamas presidency (brought blacks and whites closer together), has it (pushed blacks and whites
further apart), or hasn't it had much effect one way or the other?
Closer together
Further apart
No effect
Don't know/No answer

15
34
47
4

11
41
45
3

30
15
50
5

Q17. In general, do you think most Americans have judged Barack Obama more harshly because he's black, less harshly
because he's black, or has his being black not affected how most Americans have judged Barack Obama ?
More harshly
Less harshly
Not affected
Don't know/No answer

45
9
42
4

37
10
48
5

80
4
14
3

Q19. In general, do you think the criminal justice system in the United States is biased in favor of blacks, or is it biased
against blacks, or does it generally give blacks fair treatment?

Biased in favor of blacks

Biased against blacks
Treat fairly
Don't know/No answer

5
49
40
6

5
44
46
6

1
77
17
5

Aug13a
5
35
43
17

Q20. In general, do you think the criminal justice system in the United States is biased in favor of whites, or is it biased
against whites, or does it generally give whites fair treatment?
Biased in favor
Biased against
Treat fairly
Don't know/No answer

26
6
59
9

22
7
61
10

43
4
47
6

Q21. How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel
mostly (safe) or mostly (anxious)?
TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
76
82
58
21
17
37
3
2
5

Mostly safe
Mostly anxious
Don't know/No answer

Apr15d
%
75
21
3

Q22. In general, do you think the police in most communities are more likely to use deadly force against a (black
person), or more likely to use it against a (white person), or dont you think race affects police use of deadly force?
More likely against black person
More likely against white person
Race does not affect
Don't know/No answer

41
1
52
6

34
1
58
7

74
22
4

44
2
46
9

Q23. In the last year, do you think the number of unarmed black people killed by police has (increased), (decreased) or
stayed about the same?
Increased
Decreased
Stayed the same
Don't know/No answer

38
4
48
11

31
4
54
11

64
1
31
4

Q24. Have you ever felt you were stopped by the police just because of your race or ethnic background, or not?

Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

13
86
*

5
95
*

Jul08a
13
86
1

41
57
2

Q25-Q29 Released separately

Q30. How comfortable do you think most people feel when they have conversations about race with someone of
another race -- very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable?

Very comfortable
Somewhat comfortable
Somewhat uncomfortable
Very uncomfortable
Don't know/No answer

11
22
45
17
6

10
23
46
14
7

6
20
48
23
3

Aug14b
%
8
36
36
13
7

Q31. What about you? How comfortable do you personally feel when you have a conversation about race with someone
of another race -- very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable?

Very comfortable
Somewhat comfortable
Somewhat uncomfortable
Very uncomfortable
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
47
47
50
26
28
23
17
18
17
6
3
8
3
4
2

Aug14b
%
49
31
13
5
3

Q32. Was there ever a specific instance when you felt discriminated against because of your race, or not?

Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

42
57
*

31
69
*

72
27
1

Aug13a
36
62
2

Q33. Do you personally know any black people who are prejudiced against white people, or not?
Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

49
49
1

46
53
1

58
40
2

Q34. Do you personally know any white people who are prejudiced against black people, or not?
Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

65
34
1

68
31
1

61
38
1

Q35. About how many of the people you regularly come in contact with are black none, a few, about half, or almost
all?

None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

4
58
29
7
1

4
64
27
3
1

24
43
32
1

Aug14b
7
57
24
11
1

Q36. About how many of the people you regularly come in contact with are white none, a few, about half, or almost
all?
None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

1
14
37
47
1

*
9
34
56
1

4
31
48
16
*

Q37. About how many of the people who live in the immediate area around your home are black none, a few, about
half or almost all?

None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Total White Black
%
%
%
16
18
3
58
61
33
18
17
31
7
3
32
*
*
1

Feb15d
%
16
55
20
7
3

Q38. About how many of the people who live in the immediate area around your home are white none, a few, about
half or almost all?
None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

3
18
26
52
1

1
12
24
62
1

11
40
27
21
1

3
15
31
49
2

Q39. Are you currently employed - either full-time or part-time or are you temporarily out of work, or are you not in
the market for work at all?
Currently employed
Temporarily out of work
Not in the market for work
Retired
Don't know/No answer

58
10
14
18
*

56
9
15
20
*

64
12
10
14
*

Q40. About how many of the people you work with are black none, a few, about half or almost all?

None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

AMONG EMPLOYED
22
25
10
55
56
39
19
16
35
5
3
16
*
*
*

Apr09b
28
46
20
4
2

Q41. About how many of the people you work with are white none, a few, about half or almost all?

None
A few
About half
Almost all
Don't know/No answer

AMONG EMPLOYED
6
4
6
14
10
22
30
28
39
51
58
32
*
*
*

Q42. Are any of your close friends black, or not?

**** NOT BLACK ****
Total White
%
%
69
69
31
30
*
*

Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

Q43. Are any of your close friends white, or not?

**** NOT WHITE ****
Total
Black
%
%
76
77
23
23
1
-

Yes
No
Don't know/No answer

Total Respondents
Whites
Blacks

Unweighted
1,205
751
312

Weighted

Margin of error
3pts

839
148

4pts
8pts