Monday, August 4, 2008

BlackAmericaStudy: Stereotypes Don’t Match

A recent study has proven what we already knew – not all Black folks are alike. My father may take one position, and I take another, and my daughter takes another. A Black man in Ruston, Louisiana has a different worldview and experience than a Black man in San Jose, California, and the views of a Black woman raised in Denver, Colorado are vastly different from a Black woman raised in White Plaines, New York.

The study provides a portrait of Black Americans’ social views, consumer tastes and notions of identity. Sponsored by Radio One, one of the U.S.'s largest radio broadcasting companies and the largest radio broadcasting company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners, the study, “Black America Today”, provides a fresh look at more than 30 million Black Americans.

The survey finds that Blacks have made progress economically and educationally and that most have a positive outlook for the future. Nearly one-third make more that $50,000 a year, and 47% own homes.

While each of us is different those surveyed also believe that Blacks have a distinct history which makes solidarity important. Many also maintain a high level of distrust of the government, criminal justice system and mainstream media.

The survey found that the so-called digital divide that previously was leaving behind minorities and others without access to the internet have narrowed greatly. About 68% of Blacks spend time online, compared with 70% of all Americans. People who wouldn’t necessarily have the internet on a computer now have iPhones or can find other ways,” says Tariq Muhammad, director of BlackVoices.com, the most-visited website targeted to Black Americans. “Accessibility has been a big factor in ensuring that communities of color are online.”

The survey also revealed an entrepreneurial spirit among young people. One-fourth of the “connected teens” group is already saving for their own businesses. They say can not rely on corporate America.

The study found that Blacks who live in the not so nice parts of the inner city worry about crime every day and dream of having a home in safer areas. They view the police with conflicting emotions. They are afraid of the police and at the same time glad that police are not far from where they live.

To view the survey and learn how we view one another visit: http://blackamericastudy.com/

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