Here is yet another poll 
Please allow me just this one time an out for not formatting it.
Nation’s First Multilingual Poll Uncovers Tensions Among The Largest Ethnic Groups In America
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The nation’s first
multilingual poll of Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans has uncovered
serious tensions among these ethnic groups, including mistrust and
significant stereotyping, but a majority of each group also said they
should put aside differences and work together to better their communities.
The poll, which was released today during a news conference at the
National Press Club, was sponsored by New America Media (NAM) and nine
ethnic media outlets who are founding members of the organization.
“This extraordinary poll reveals some unflattering realities that exist
in America today,” said Sandy Close, Executive Editor and Director of NAM,
the nation’s first and largest collaboration of ethnic news media. “The
sponsors of the poll strongly believe the best way to move forward is by
identifying the problems and initiating a dialogue that can bring ethnic
groups closer together in their fight for equality and against
discrimination.”
Broadly, the poll of 1,105 African-American, Asian-American and
Hispanic adults found that the predominantly immigrant populations –
Hispanics and Asians — expressed far greater optimism about their lives in
America, concluding that hard work is rewarded in this society. By
contrast, more than 60% of the African Americans polled do not believe the
American Dream works for them. Blacks also described themselves as more
segregated from the rest of America than the other groups.
The poll found that friction between ethnic and racial groups, which at
times has erupted into highly-publicized incidents around the country, is
clearly rooted in the mistrust that the groups harbor towards each other,
as well as the sentiment that other groups are mistreating them or are
detrimental to their own future. For instance, 44% of Hispanics and 47% of
Asians are “generally afraid of African Americans because they are
responsible for most of the crime.” Meanwhile, 46% of Hispanics and 52% of
African Americans believe “most Asian business owners do not treat them
with respect.” And half of African Americans feel threatened by Latin
American immigrants because “they are taking jobs, housing and political
power away from the Black community.”
Moreover, the three groups seem more trusting of whites than of each
other. The poll found that 61% of Hispanics, 54% of Asians and 47% of
African Americans would rather do business with whites than members of the
other two groups.
“The poll reaffirms that while race relations between ethnic groups and
whites grab the headlines, there are also serious racial problems between
minority groups in America,” said Sergio Bendixen, who is an expert on
Hispanic and multilingual polling. “Blacks feel they are left out of the
American Dream and are being displaced by newcomers, and each group buys
into the negative stereotypes about the other two. What’s clear is the need
to dissolve this friction. The poll results show that the overwhelming
majority of ethnic Americans want that positive outcome.”
Specifically, the poll also found that:
— A majority of Hispanics and a significant percentage of Asians
believe in the concept that every American has an equal opportunity to
succeed. By contrast, the majority of Black respondents — 66 percent –
disagreed with that notion.
— Blacks overwhelmingly believe the criminal justice system favors the
rich and powerful; most Hispanics and an even larger majority of Asians
disagree.
— A large majority of each group believes that they should put aside
their differences and work together on issues affecting their communities;
they also say the country would be better if more from all three groups
were in positions of authority at universities, businesses, media and
government.
— All three groups are optimistic about the future. Strong majorities
of each group believe that racial tensions will ease over the next 10
years.
Further, Ms. Close said the poll found “a shared appreciation” for each
group’s cultural and political contributions. “Hispanics and Asians
recognize that African Americans led the fight for civil rights and against
discrimination, forging a better future for the other groups,” she said.
“Asian Americans and African Americans say Hispanic culture has enriched
the quality of their lives. African Americans and Hispanics perceive Asian
Americans as role models when it comes to family and educational values.”
Poll respondents sent mixed messages to the ethnic media, which many
depend on for news about their community. While criticizing the ethnic
media’s coverage of race relations, particularly other groups outside their
own community, all three groups maintained that the ethnic media must play
a vital role by strengthening inter-group communication and helping to
break negative stereotypes.
The ethnic media is embracing their challenge to do better. “The poll
is part of our campaign to address mutual misunderstandings, of which there
are many,” said Sok Jeong, editor of the Korea Times. “The poll is a call
to action for ethnic media to expand coverage of our mutual communities and
help our readers gain a better understanding of the other ethnic groups.”
About the Poll
The poll of 1,105 African American, Asian American and Hispanic adults
was conducted by telephone during the months of August and September 2007.
The sample was designed to be representative of the adult population of the
three major racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Hispanic
respondents were interviewed in English or Spanish, and Asian American
respondents were interviewed in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean,
Vietnamese or Tagalog. RDD (Random Digit Dialing) methodology was employed
in areas of the country that have significant (10 percent or more) African
American, Asian American and Hispanic populations.
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