Racism against blacks is widespread in US: Poll

More than six in 10 people in the United States say racism against African Americans is widespread in the country, according to a new poll.

According to Gallup’s Minority Rights and Relations survey released Wednesday, 61 percent of US adults think racism is widespread, similar to the percentage measured last year but higher than what Gallup found in 2008-2009.

“Americans’ perceptions of widespread racism against blacks remain elevated this year after an uptick last year, likely in response to the highly publicized incidents in which black men were killed in confrontations with white police officers in 2014 and early 2015,” Gallup said.

“Americans’ belief in equality of opportunity for blacks in being able to find good jobs, a quality education, and any housing they can afford are the lowest they have been since at least the 1990s,” it added.

“The poll also found that both whites and blacks are more likely to say racism against African Americans is widespread today than they were in 2009, when President Barack Obama entered the White House.

Now, 82 percent of blacks and 56 percent of whites say racism against blacks is widespread, showing an increase of 10 and seven percentage points from 2009.

Also, 66 percent of Hispanics perceive racism against blacks as widespread, up from 59 percent in 2009.

At the same time, 41 percent say racism against whites is widespread. Currently, 43 percent of whites and 33 percent of blacks believe racism against whites is widespread.

According to a Pew Research Center survey released last month, a quarter of Americans say Obama has made race relations worse.