By Clarence Page
Nonwhite Americans are much more likely than white Americans to have a friend of a different race, a new poll finds.
The poll released by Reuters/Ipsos on Thursday found that about 40 percent of white Americans say they only have close white friends. Only 25 percent of nonwhite Americans say they only have close friends of their own race.
That makes an unfortunate amount of sense. Despite our tremendous intergroup progress since the “Mad Men” era, we Americans still live significantly segregated lives, especially outside of the classroom and workplace.
We usually think of “cultural deprivation” as an affliction of the poor, alienated and disenfranchised. But even the well-heeled and well-connected are more deprived of valuable insights about their fellow humans than we often realize.
And, even in our advanced media age, the best way to get to know other groups is through personal relationships. We should not need scientific studies to tell us that.
The poll comes at a poignantly significant time, between the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman tragedy and the 50th anniversary on Aug. 28 of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech on the Washington Mall.
Remembering King reminds us of how far we have come in overcoming our racial differences. The fallout from the Zimmerman trial reminds us of how far we have to go.
Read More Having a friend of a different race – chicagotribune.com.
About The Soul Brother
An observer to the world. I have a unique view of the world and want to share it. It's all in love from the people of the "blues". Love, Knowledge, and Sharing amongst all is the first steps towards solving all the problems amongst humanity.
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Having a friend of a different race
By Clarence Page
Nonwhite Americans are much more likely than white Americans to have a friend of a different race, a new poll finds.
The poll released by Reuters/Ipsos on Thursday found that about 40 percent of white Americans say they only have close white friends. Only 25 percent of nonwhite Americans say they only have close friends of their own race.
That makes an unfortunate amount of sense. Despite our tremendous intergroup progress since the “Mad Men” era, we Americans still live significantly segregated lives, especially outside of the classroom and workplace.
We usually think of “cultural deprivation” as an affliction of the poor, alienated and disenfranchised. But even the well-heeled and well-connected are more deprived of valuable insights about their fellow humans than we often realize.
And, even in our advanced media age, the best way to get to know other groups is through personal relationships. We should not need scientific studies to tell us that.
The poll comes at a poignantly significant time, between the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman tragedy and the 50th anniversary on Aug. 28 of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech on the Washington Mall.
Remembering King reminds us of how far we have come in overcoming our racial differences. The fallout from the Zimmerman trial reminds us of how far we have to go.
Read More Having a friend of a different race – chicagotribune.com.
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About The Soul Brother
An observer to the world. I have a unique view of the world and want to share it. It's all in love from the people of the "blues". Love, Knowledge, and Sharing amongst all is the first steps towards solving all the problems amongst humanity.