Blacks, Whites Differ on Government's Role in Civil Rights; All Americans see progress in civil rights in their lifetime.(Survey)

Blacks, Whites Differ on Government's Role in Civil Rights; All Americans see progress in civil rights in their lifetime.(Survey)

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August 19, 2011 | Copyright

Byline: Frank Newport

Synopsis: A majority of blacks in America today say that the government should play a major role in improving the social and economic position of blacks, while 19% of whites agree. A little over half of blacks say that new civil rights laws are needed in the country, while 15% of whites agree.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Black and white Americans have starkly different views on the appropriate role of government in dealing with civil rights in this country. A majority of blacks (59%) say that the government should play a major role in improving the social and economic position of blacks, while 19% of whites agree. A little over half of blacks (52%) say that new civil rights laws are needed in this country, while 15% of whites agree.

Civil rights in this country is a news topic again as the dedication for the new Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., is approaching on Aug. 28 -- the 48th anniversary of King's famous "I Have a Dream" …

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