By Alan King
AFRO Staff Writer
CNN reveals the results of a poll on race relations in their Black in America special. (Courtesy Photo)
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(July 4, 2009) - Many expected a new era in race relations when President Obama took office, but those feelings have cooled through the early part of his term, according to a new poll.
About 51 percent of African Americans and 31 percent of Caucasians polled in mid-November felt that the country had entered a new era in race relations.
By President Barack Obama' s inauguration in January 2009, those numbers declined to 44 percent of African Americans and 25 percent of Whites, according to a poll conducted by Essence magazine and Opinion Research.
Results of the poll were announced last week, in advance of CNN's multiplatform Black in America 2 initiative.
The poll of African Americans and Caucasians reveals contrasting views on presidential politics, the economy, gay rights, abortion and racial discrimination. It also showed a softening of optimism for both races in regards to the effect of President Obama's election on race relations in the U.S.
The CNN program will delve into these contrasting views, using the data gathered by the poll.
"Our partnership with Essence continues to bring unique substantive insights to our programming initiatives," Mark Nelson, Vice President and a senior executive for CNN Productions, said in a statement. "CNN is very pleased to once again collaborate with Essence Communications and Opinion Research Corporation in support of Black in America 2."
Moderated by CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien, and featuring CNN Contributor Roland Martin, the program seeks to include insights and experiences of Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray, NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous, actor/radio talk show host/author Steve Harvey, and humanitarian and founder of the Angel Rock Project Malaak Compton-Rock.
The poll found that 96 percent of African Americans, compared to 58 percent of Whites, showed extraordinary confidence in the president's handling of his job. And 55 percent of African Americans, compared to 17 percent of Whites, found racial discrimination to be "a very serious problem."
Regarding the economy, 51 percent of African Americans and 69 percent of Whites felt financially secure enough to provide sufficiently for their children. Yet, 86 percent of African Americans and 59 percent of Whites expect their children will be better off than themselves.
"Notably, we are looking forward to addressing these racial disparities via our latest co-production with CNN…which will offer a productive dialogue among the country's top thought-leaders," Burt-Murray said in a statement.
Actor and radio talk show host Holly Robinson Peete, TV personality Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, actor and AIDS activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, principal of Capital Prepatory Magnet School Steve Perry, and Founder and executive director of the Black AIDS Institute Phill Wilson will also weigh in on the discussion.
Of the data, Burt Murray said, "The insights provided by this latest poll around issues of importance to the African-American community help to inform our editorial and programming decisions."
Produced as part of the CNN "Black in America 2" initiative, the two-hour CNN/Essence co-production will premiere on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time. The special will repeat on Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET.