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Periodically, the Council conducts mini polls about issues related to its initiatives—youth crime and juvenile justice and public policy and race. We use the survey data to plan future projects and provide public education. In addition, we publish the survey results in our newsletter and magazine. We hope you can participate. Click here to view the results of our past Mini Poll Surveys.
Our current Mini Poll question:
The Council initiated its first mini poll survey in 2001. The first question asked if race relations have improved (we asked this question before September 11).
Of those who participated in our mini poll, 51% believe race relations are not improving and 49% believe they are. The majority of those who believe the racial atmosphere is improving make $50,000 or more. The majority of those who think the situation is bleak make less than $35,000. Whites are more positive about race relations than people of color—68% versus 32% and those who have a more positive outlook about race relations live in the suburbs or rural areas— 60%. The majority of those who responded that race relations have not improved were female—70%. In addition, of those who completed the mini poll, 82% said they have friends from a race other than their own.
Mini Poll Results Say “No” to Racial/Religious Profiling
The results are in from our mini poll survey about racial/religious profiling and terrorism.
The mini poll was available to anyone who logged onto the Council’s web site. Although not a scientific survey, the results document the mood of those who visit the Council’s web site.
According to the mini poll survey, 75% of those who participated in the mini poll said that profiling isn’t a useful and effective tool to stop terrorist attacks. “We conducted this Internet mini poll shortly after hearing complaints from Arab Americans, and others who could be mistaken for being Arab Americans, about being harassed at airports and by law enforcement officials,” said Lucretia Bailey, president of the Chicago Council on Urban Affairs.
“We’re not surprised by these results,” said Bailey. “I don’t believe most Americans believe in racial/religious profiling as a viable and reliable tool to reduce crime or defeat terrorism.”
Bailey went on to say, “If the terrorists or criminals know the profile that law enforcement officials are looking for, why would they send such a person to do the deed? Profiling isn’t smart policing and it doesn’t promote critical thinking on behalf of those responsible for keeping communities safe,” concluded Bailey.
Of those who opposed profiling as a tool to stop terrorists attacks, 74% were female, between the ages of 25-39 years old, white, and described themselves as living in a city.
| 1.
Do you think racial/religious profiling is a useful and effective
tool to stop terrorists attacks? |
Yes:
25% No: 75% |
| 2. Are you... | Male:
26% Female: 74% |
| 3. Age range... | Under
18 years: 6% |
| 4. Which group best describes you? | Arab:
3% Asian: 6% Black/African American: 25% Hispanic/Latino: 10% Native American: 0 White: 52% Mixed Race: 4% |
| 5. Which comes close to describing where you live? | City:
74% Suburbs: 23% Rural Area: 3% |
| 6. What is your educational background? | High
school graduate: 12% Vocational school: 0 Some college: 18% College graduate: 35% Advanced degree: 35% |
| 7. What is your annual household income? | Less
than $10,000: 12% $10,000-$20,000: 3% $20,000-$35,000: 29% $35,000-$50,000: 29% Over $50,000: 27% |
| 8. Do you have friends (people you talk to at least twice a month) from a different race than yours? | Yes:
88% No: 12% |
| 9. What is your political identity? | Democrat:
53% Republican: 9% Independent: 13% No Political Identity: 25% |
