The election of the nation's first black president has prompted much discussion about whether it has changed the perception of race in American society. A Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Jan. 13-16 found that 26 percent of Americans consider racism a big problem compared to 54 percent in 1996. Forty-four percent of blacks say it is still a big problem, down from 70 percent, 12 years ago while 22 percent of whites still consider it a big problem, down from 52 percent.
Thirty-five percent overall say racial equality has been achieved and another 38 percent believe it soon will be. Whites are more likely to say it has been achieved (by 18 points) but equal numbers of blacks and whites feel it soon will be achieved.
When it gets down to specific issues, the poll reveals these differences in the opinions of whites and blacks:
Seventy-six percent say blacks have as good a chance as whites at getting housing they can afford, but while eight of 10 whites believe that, half of blacks do not.
About three-quarters in the poll say blacks have as good a chance as whites to get jobs for which they are qualified. Eighty-three percent of whites believe that while 60 percent of blacks do not.
Americans say by 54 percent to 40 percent that blacks receive equal treatment from the police. About three-quarters of blacks reject that while 60 percent of whites believe it.
Seventy-seven percent overall say blacks receive equal treatment when they visit local businesses. Fifty-four percent of blacks say they do not, while 83 percent of whites believe they do.
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