For Black History Month, a look at what Black Americans say is needed to overcome racial inequality
Most Black adults (63%) say voting is an extremely or very effective strategy for Black progress; only 42% say the same of protesting.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
W97
-
-
Black and White Americans are far apart in their views of reparations for slavery
Overall, 30% of U.S. adults say descendants of people enslaved in the U.S. should be repaid in some way. 68% say they should not be repaid.
-
Black Americans differ from other U.S. adults over whether individual or structural racism is a bigger problem
About half of Black adults (52%) say racism in U.S. laws is the bigger problem for Black people, while 43% cite racism by individuals.
-
10 facts about Black Republicans
Black Republicans tend to support individualistic approaches to addressing racial inequality, while Black Democrats back institutional approaches.
-
Black Lives Matter tops list of groups that Black Americans see as helping them most in recent years
Around four-in-ten Black adults in the United States (39%) say Black Lives Matter has done the most to help Black people in recent years.
-
Clear majorities of Black Americans favor marijuana legalization, easing of criminal penalties
57% of Black adults say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults; 28% say it should be legal for medical use only.
-
Most Black Americans say they can meet basic needs financially, but many still experience economic insecurity
Fewer than half of Black adults say they have a three-month emergency fund, and some have taken multiple jobs to make ends meet.
-
For Black Americans, family and friends are a primary source of information on U.S. Black history
About half of Black Americans (51%) say they are very or extremely informed about the history of Black people in the U.S.
Download Dataset
This content requires a Pew Research Center account. Please login, or click here to register for an account.