Blacks Lag Behind Whites in Life Satisfaction

Housing and physical safety are particular problem areas for blacks

Monday, January 19, 2004

By Lydia Saad

Gallup News Service Writer

Only 40% of black Americans are satisfied with the way blacks are treated in society. Nearly three in five (59%) are dissatisfied.

PRINCETON, NJ -- GNS
The observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is traditionally a time for reflecting on the life and dreams of the slain civil-rights leader, and for measuring the progress made in achieving his societal goals: justice, equality, harmony. This year on the holiday, Gallup's analysis of race-related data focuses less on the lofty values that mark King's legacy, and more on the everyday aspects of life experienced by black Americans.

The unfortunate truth is that blacks have yet to achieve the same level of personal contentment as have whites or Hispanics. Each June, Gallup conducts a major audit of minority rights and relations in the United States. In 2003, only 37% of blacks said they were "very satisfied" with their lives as a whole, compared to 42% of Hispanics and 55% of non-Hispanic whites. A large number of blacks were "somewhat satisfied," bringing the total satisfaction level up to 82%, but even this is lower than whites' total satisfaction, which registers 92%.

Overall Satisfaction With Life

June 2003

Only 17% of blacks say they are dissatisfied with their lives, similar to the 14% of Hispanics who say this, but double the rate seen among whites (8%).

* Housing, Safety, and Opportunity Are Problem Areas

* Small Gains in Satisfaction

* Other Indicators of Racial Progress

* Survey Methods

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(More: Gallup.com / Poll Analyses)

2003 © The Gallup Organization.

Dan