Skip to main content
Oct 5, 2017

America's shifting views on racial discrimination

headshot

A growing number of Americans — 41%— believe "racial discrimination is the main reason black people can't get ahead" in society, per a Pew Research Center report published Thursday. This is up from 32% in 1994.

Yes, but: There is still a greater share of Americans who believe "black people who can't get ahead in this country are mostly responsible for their own condition," though the percentage has trended downward in the last few years.

Data: Pew Research Center; Note: Excluding "both," "don't know," and "refused" responses; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios
Data: Pew Research Center; Note: Excluding "both," "don't know," and "refused" responses; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios

Survey shows greater partisan divide: When presented with the statement: "Racial discrimination is the main reason why many black people can't get ahead these days," the participants who agreed were:

  • 39% of Democrats and 26% of Republicans, in 1994.
  • 64% of Democrats and 14% of Republicans, in 2017.

Why this is important: The partisan gap has widened to 50 points.

Methodology: Pew surveyed over 2,000 adults in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Go deeper