Differences remain between the races
If there was any doubt, the most recent Winthrop Poll confirms that Americans – South Carolinians in particular – are not living in a “post-racial” age.
While idealists might believe the nation should be color-blind or at least far more tolerant of racial differences by now, the poll indicates that we have a long way to go before race ceases to matter much. We remain acutely aware of those differences, and, as the poll indicates, race plays a significant role in how we see the world.
For example, 67 percent of black respondents said whites have a better chance of getting ahead in society. By contrast, 63 percent of whites said blacks and whites have an equal shot.
In the poll, 73 percent of blacks said the Confederate battle flag, like the one removed this year from the grounds of the Statehouse, represents racial conflict. Only 26 percent of whites said that, while a majority said it represents Southern pride.
An overwhelming majority of the state’s blacks – 83 percent – say public schools spend too little time on black history. Only 29 percent of white respondents agreed.
But the poll also found areas of agreement between blacks and whites. A significant majority of whites and blacks said race relations were only fair or worse in the state and nation.
That isn’t good news, but it suggests that South Carolinians of both races at least see eye to eye on the problem. And, more significantly, blacks and whites are in close agreement that both races are equally to blame, with 60 percent of whites and 61 percent of blacks saying both races are responsible for working to improve those relations.
At least half of South Carolinians – white and black – agreed that race relations are better now than they were 30 and 40 years ago. But both also say race relations have been strained by the Great Recession and the economic hardship that ensued.
Most of the questions in the poll dwelt on matters of perception. But in regard to one issue – fear of mistreatment by police – the response was less a matter of perception than a reflection of reality, not to mention a gulf between the races in understanding a nationwide problem.
More than half of black South Carolinians – 52 percent – said they were very or somewhat worried about being unfairly treated by the police. Almost half – 49 percent – said they feared being victims of racial discrimination.
In contrast, 88 percent of white South Carolinians said they were not too worried or not worried at all about facing racial discrimination or unfair treatment from police.
South Carolina has experienced a number of incidents in which police were involved in questionable use of force against blacks, most notably in North Charleston where a white officer shot and killed a 50-year-old fleeing black man. The officer later was arrested and charged with murder, but many were skeptical that he would have been charged if the incident had not been captured on video by a bystander.
A growing national compilation of data on police shootings and other evidence presents a picture of widespread use of excessive force by police against black suspects. Fear of mistreatment by police is more than just paranoia on the part of African-Americans, it’s documented fact.
Simply put, whites, on average, have far less to fear when stopped by police than blacks do.
The difference in the response from whites and blacks in this poll illustrates that reforms are needed in the criminal justice system, including greater citizen scrutiny of police, more money for body cameras and changes in police training and tactics. We also need greater empathy and understanding on the part of whites that the problem is real, not just a matter of racial bias.
If, as this poll suggests, both races accept responsibility for improving racial relations, reducing the disparity in treatment by police of blacks and whites would be a good place to start.
This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Differences remain between the races."