The “Black Lives Matter” indeed reached global proportions by the end of July and received the support of racial and ethnic groups all across the country amid the protests and unrest. Nearly a decade after Barack Obama’s election as President, an event that gave birth to a sense of optimism among many Americans about the future of race relations, a few controversial incidents have exposed deep racial divides and renewed national conversations about race. The Black in America, believed to be etched into American culture, once again looked mired in hostility and segregation. Fortunately, social media has thrown the spotlight on all isolated incidents that would have gone unnoticed a few decades back and has helped the global community to extend their unified support to Black people in the USA.
Differing Perceptions
Racial inequality is far from rare but combined with the outbreak of Covid-19 and several instances of violence toward Black people in the United States have intensely illuminated and magnified racial disparities. The cases of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmad Arbery are a few of the recent instances of Systemic racism and bias facing Black people inside and outside the workplace every day, highlighting the need for organizations and leaders to better support their Black workforce.
A survey conducted at the Pew Research Center from Feb 29–May 8, 2016, among 3769 adults (including 1,799 Whites, 1,004 Blacks, and 654 Hispanics), presented a few fascinating facts:
- 88% of Blacks say the country needs to continue to make changes for Blacks and Whites to have equal rights.
- 43% are sceptical that such changes will ever happen.
- 42% of Blacks believe that the country will eventually make the changes needed for Blacks and Whites to have equal rights.
- 8% say that the country has already made the necessary changes.
- 53% of Whites say that the country still has work to do to ensure equal rights.
- 11% express doubts that these changes will ever come.
- 40% of Whites believe the country will eventually make the changes needed for equal rights.
- 38% of Whites say enough changes have already been made.
Analysis
The survey and the analysis of the survey findings focus mainly on the divide between the Blacks and Whites on the treatment of Black People in the USA today. The survey shows that the perception of Blacks in America is very different for White and Black people, and even to some extent among Black people themselves. Blacks are more likely to say that Black people are more likely to be treated fairly in the workplace, in the courts, in neighbourhoods, in stores, and even when applying for a mortgage or loan. They are also more likely to attribute the unequal quality of life to racial discrimination (70% vs 36%), lower-quality schools (75% vs 53%), and lack of jobs (66% vs 45%).
As such, Black and White differ in their opinion on the best approach to strengthening race relations. Integration, previously thought to be the answer, had led to the further fragmentation of the Black community because attempts to “fit in,” although welcomed by the American culture, had led to the alienation from one’s own roots and division in the identity of the Black Community.
At Blacks United, our aim is to unite the scattered Black Community and reinstill a collective identity among this community. Blacks First has been our running motto to strengthen the community and reach the underprivileged members of the community as well. Join us now on our journey to make our community one that stands united and proud, not just in our individual achievements but also in our collective identity.
