African-Americans Mark Improvement in Racial Relations

As an estimated 2 million inaugural attendees witnessed the first African-American to be sworn into office as President of the United States, scores of African-Americans/Blacks celebrated the historic occasion by attending the inaugural festivities — many for the first time, according to a new TV One/National Association of Black Journalists Inaugural Poll. Those African-Americans also marked an improvement in racial relations, thanks to the election of Barack Obama.

In a recent poll of 462 inaugural attendees, conducted by Ariel & Ethan Polling and Market Research, African-Americans said the following:

• Three of four (77%) of African-Americans were attending the inauguration for the first time, with seven in ten (70% or more) age 30 or older.


• Nearly two in three (63%) say the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President signals an improvement in race relations, yet nearly a quarter (22%) somewhat agreed and 15% disagreed. Age factored into opinion, however. Among those who strongly agree with the statement, 75% were 65 years of age or older — versus 4% of respondents between the ages of 45-64 who strongly disagreed.


• Nearly half (45%) liken President Obama most to former president John F. Kennedy. Significant percentages see similarities between the President and former presidents: Bill Clinton (20%); Abraham Lincoln (17%); and Lyndon B. Johnson (5%). In terms of age, younger attendees (18-29 years of age) were among those who most often chose Kennedy — with more than half (55%) drawing a comparison between the two presidents.


• Nearly eight in ten (78%) chose the economy as the number-one issue — the majority (83%) dwelling in cities with populations at or beyond 100,000.

Commenting in response to the survey's results, National Association of Black Journalists President Barbara Ciara said, "In a day and age where information is power — the survey results will be helpful in determining what governance issues are important to the African-American community — and how our community chooses to receive information."