African Americans Are Pessimistic About Future, New Poll Shows

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 22) -- A new poll published in the New Yorker magazine shows black Americans are pessimistic about race relations and their opportunities to improve their lives.

Some 58 percent of black Americans believe their conditions are getting worse, and 59 percent believe the American dream is unattainable. Half say race relations will never improve.

Though 70 percent expressed admiration for retired Gen. Colin Powell, few have followed his lead into the GOP. Only 13 percent said they'd vote for a Bob Dole-Colin Powell presidential ticket. President Bill Clinton was the overwhelming favorite supported by 70 percent.

The survey of 1,200 African-American adults had a margin for error of 2.5 percent, and attitudes held fairly constant across class lines. Some 66 percent of those who consider themselves lower class believed that conditions are worsening, as did 57 percent of the working class, 58 percent of the middle class, and 50 percent of the upper-middle class and above.

Seventy-eight percent said that government programs do not do enough for blacks. Yet, 48 percent believe that blacks not taking opportunities available to them is a bigger problem than white discrimination.

When asked to rate political personalities, Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., received a "generally favorable" rating by 83 percent. Jesse Jackson received 82 percent, and Johnnie Cochran got 75 percent. Lagging in popularity was conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who was approved by only 35 percent.

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