Attitudes In

Nineteen years after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., black and white Americans alike say the nation is still far from fulfilling his dream of seeing the two races live in harmony. An overwhelming 92% of blacks and 87% of whites polled for TIME last week by Yankelovich Clancy Shulman* agree with the statement "Racial prejudice is still very common in the U.S." Fully 59% of blacks say they have been insulted because of their race at one time or another. But blacks and whites diverge sharply when asked about the reasons and remedies for America's enduring dilemma.

The Roots of Bigotry

Americans may agree that racial prejudice is common, but less than half the whites who were questioned feel that blacks are singled out for discrimination. Only 35% of whites (vs. 51% of blacks) agree that "Most white Americans do not like blacks." Yet 44% of whites (and 45% of blacks) agree that "Most black Americans do not like whites."

Whites are more likely to be afraid of blacks. Although only 26% of the whites say they have ever felt "physically threatened by someone who was black," 64% of the white respondents agree that they would be afraid to be in an all-black neighborhood at night (27% would also feel afraid during the day). Despite news stories about the racial attacks on blacks in Howard Beach, Queens, N.Y., only 30% of the black respondents say they would be afraid in an all-white neighborhood at night; even fewer black respondents (24%) say they have ever felt physically threatened by a white.

Overall, less than half the black respondents report specific instances of discrimination, although a number cite more than one instance: 32% say they have been discriminated against at work, 25% in school and 16% when trying to rent an apartment or buy a house. But they are far less satisfied than whites with the degree of opportunity for blacks.

Do black Americans have the same opportunities as whites?

In Housing Blacks Whites

Same opportunity 22% 48%

Not the case 75% 47%

In Education

Same opportunity 38% 73%

Not the case 59% 24%

In Employment

Same opportunity 26% 59%

Not the case 71% 37%

What Is to Be Done?

Blacks and whites alike agree that the "Federal Government should do more to promote equality in housing, education and employment." More than 90% of blacks feel this way, but the figure for whites is just slightly more than 50%. Attitudes vary about specific steps to remedy discrimination:

Yes

Blacks Whites

Should the Government prosecute

landlords who refuse to rent to blacks? 88% 69%

Should colleges admit some black

students whose record would not

normally qualify them for admission? 33% 15%

Should businesses set a goal of hiring a

minimum number of black employees? 62% 32%

FOOTNOTE: *The survey of 871 white adults and 93 black adults was conducted by telephone Jan. 19-21. The potential sampling error for the white respondents is plus or minus 3%. For the smaller number of black respondents, the sampling error is larger.