e pluribus unum...e pluribus unum annual survey of black, white, and latino americans in the...

E Pluribus UnumAnnual Survey Of Black, White, And Latino Americans in The American South

October 2020

Figure 2Methodology

GBAO conducted a survey of 1,800 white, Black, and Latino adults in the South on landlines, cellphones and an online panel from October 7-12, 2020. Latino respondents were given the option of taking the survey in English or Spanish. The margin of error for each racial group is +/- 4 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

• 600 white adults• 600 Black adults• 600 Latino adults

Summary Findings

Figure 4The Racial Divide And 2020

On the eve of the 2020 election, the racial divide in the American South is very clear and serves as a stark reminder of the challenge facing our country. This survey shows that from policy priorities to views on police reform and systemic racism, Black, white, and Latino Southerners hold very different perspectives that shape the challenges facing the U.S. as we complete a divisive and contentious presidential election.

This challenge is not new. But E Pluribus Unum’s ongoing research and work throughout the South have shown that common interests and compassion do exist across race. This latest data offer signs of hope, while also underscoring the hard work that needs to continue as America enters a new chapter.

Figure 5Key Findings – Attitudinal And Political Divisions Continue

§ There continues to be major divides by race on a range of issues and perspectives, including attitudes on vaccine usage, how to address the pandemic, causes of poverty, equality of opportunity, access to healthcare, systemic racism, the country’s priorities, and race relations.

§ Some attitudes that seemed to be changing among white Southerners after the George Floyd murder have reverted to previous views.

§ While some white Southerners’ attitudes shift back to the pre-Floyd baseline, Black Southerners express increased concerns over race relations and national priorities.

§ There are very large racial divisions along political measures such as motivation to vote and presidential vote choice.

§ White Southerners are most motivated to vote, and strongly support Trump.§ Black Southerners overwhelmingly support Biden, and are slightly less motivated than white

Southerners.§ Latino Southerners support Biden in levels comparable to the support of white Southerners for

Trump, and are the least motivated.

Figure 6Key Findings – Massive Differences Over Police Reform

§ While Black respondents strongly support numerous police reforms, the support of white respondents is much weaker, particularly on changes that address use of force and the role of police in a community. Latino respondents are more supportive of reforms than white respondents, but not as supportive as Black respondents.

§ There is broad support across race for requiring officers to step in when other officers are using excessive force, as well as requiring reporting of all instances of deadly force used against civilians.

§ White respondents are concerned that lawmakers will go too far with police reform, and Black and Latino respondents are concerned that lawmakers will not go far enough.

§ Black and Latino respondents are much more likely than white respondents to attribute the deaths of Black men and women in police custody to a racist police system, whereas white respondents are more likely to say these deaths are the result of the behavior of the individuals in custody.

Figure 7Key Findings – Party ID Provides Common Ground Across Race

§ The stark racial differences on attitudes toward racism, policing, and other issues get blurred when taking into account partisanship.

§ Democrats across race share common views, and the same holds true for Republicans across race. That is, Black Democrats have similar attitudes as white and Latino Democrats, and white Republicans have similar attitudes as Latino Republicans.

§ Educational attainment is another demographic where the racial divide narrows, but not nearly as much as party identification.

§ Latina and white women, as well as younger Latino and white people, are more likely than men and older counterparts to cite white people as having economic advantages.

Figure 8Key Findings – Hopeful Signs And Indicators

§ Despite the many divisions and clear challenges to bridge racial differences, the survey reveals some hopeful trends to build upon.

§ While Latino respondents often hold views on race that fall in between the wide gap between Black and white respondents, this latest research suggests some movement on attitudes related to systemic racism in the aftermath of the pandemic and racial justice protests.

§ Over the past year, Latino respondents have moved significantly on the question of whether systemic racism is a problem.

§ In October 2019, 30 percent of Latino respondents said they were not familiar with systemic racism. This has fallen to 19 percent who now say they are not familiar, and a majority of Latino respondents (54 percent) now believe system racism is a major problem.

§ There has been notable movement across all three groups on how U.S. leaders should approach the pandemic recovery and racial inequities.

§ White respondents are the only group that believes we should just take steps to restore systems as quickly as possible, instead of making big changes to address historical racial inequities in healthcare, education, and the economy, but their resistance reduced by a net of 10 points since June.

§ Black and Latino respondents both substantially increased their support for big changes (Black respondents by a net of 15 points; Latino respondents by a net of 14 points).

The 2020 Vote

Figure 10White Adults Are Slightly More Motivated To Vote Than Black Adults; Latino Adults Less Motivated

82 7887

711 311 11

8

Black Latino White

Please rate your level of motivation for voting in this year’s upcoming election for President, U.S. Congress, and other offices on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means you are not at all motivated to vote this year and 10 means you are extremely motivated to vote this year.

Motivation

5 to 78 to 10 0 to 4

9.1 Mean 8.6 Mean 9.3 Mean

Figure 11Black Southerners And Latino Southerners Are Slightly More Likely To Vote Early

2621 19

38 3934

30 3138

Black Latino White

Vote Method Vote in personbefore Election Day

Vote by mail Vote in person on Election Day

Figure 12Partisanship Is More Central Than Race To Voting Early

63 6472

48 51

69

56

4435

15

2533

40

20

34

49

Black Dems Black Inds Latino Dems Latino Inds Latino Reps White Dems White Inds White Reps

Vote Method Vote by mail/Vote early in person

Vote in person on Election Day

Figure 13Biden Increasing His Black Vote, Trump Increasing His White Vote

7681

8 6

Jun-20 Oct-20

57 58

2732

Jun-20 Oct-20

Black Latino White

32 30

59 62

Jun-20 Oct-20

Donald TrumpJoe Biden

Figure 14Biden Slips With White Men And Older Whites

Presidential Vote

October 2020 June 2020 October 2020

Trump Biden Net Difference Net Difference

White Men 69 25 -31 -44

White Women 56 35 -23 -21

White College 54 37 -13 -17

White Non-College 66 28 -31 -38

White Under 50 57 34 -28 -23

White 50+ 67 26 -26 -41

Figure 15Biden Gains With Black Men, Non-College Educated Black respondents, and College Educated Latino respondents

Presidential VoteOctober 2020 June 2020 October 2020

Trump Biden Net Difference Net DifferenceBlack Men 7 78 +60 +72

Black Women 5 84 +75 +79Black College 9 83 +74 +74

Black Non-College 5 81 +67 +76Black Under 50 7 79 +64 +72

Black 50+ 4 85 +75 +81Latino Men 33 53 +19 +21

Latino Women 31 62 +42 +31Latino College 28 65 +26 +37

Latino Non-College 32 57 +31 +24Latino Under 50 31 57 +32 +26

Latino 50+ 34 59 +27 +25

Figure 16Trump Supporters Voting FOR Trump; Biden Voters Are A Mix Of FOR Biden And AGAINST Trump

Why Voting Biden

72

5546

27

40

52

Black Latino White

Why Voting Trump

80 78 79

1521

17

Black Latino White

Against TrumpFor Biden Against BidenFor Trump

Figure 17Differences On Issue Priorities Reflect Racial Divide

44

26

49

27

96 7 7 7 6 5

34 32

19

27

16 17

710 10 10 11

26

44

13

22 23

9

15 1411 10

6

Coronaviruspandemic

Theeconomy

Racialjustice

Health care Law andorder

Immigration SupremeCourt

NationalSecurity

Taxes Guns ClimateChange

Now, I am going to read you a list of issues facing the country. Which TWO of these issues are most important in determining your vote in the Presidential election?

Latino WhiteBlack

Issue Priorities

Figure 18Education Does Not Impact Issue Priorities

Issue Priorities

Black College

Black Non-Coll

Latino College

Latino Non-Coll

White College

White Non-Coll

The coronavirus pandemic 43 45 42 31 27 25

The economy 33 25 32 33 41 46Racial justice 52 48 23 18 17 11

Healthcare 28 25 27 27 21 22

Law and order 6 9 12 16 19 25

Immigration 3 7 12 18 7 10

National Security 10 7 9 11 14 14

The Supreme Court 9 7 8 7 21 12

Taxes 7 7 14 9 14 10

Guns 2 8 5 10 4 13

Climate Change 6 5 13 11 7 6


Figure 19Republicans Regardless Of Race Are Much More Concerned About TheEconomy And Law And Order, No Concern About Racial Justice

Issue Priorities

Black Dems Latino Dems Latino Reps White Dems White Reps

The coronavirus pandemic 46 42 19 48 16

The economy 27 21 46 29 54Racial justice 52 29 6 28 4

Healthcare 25 34 18 36 17

Law and order 8 7 31 4 32Immigration 7 22 13 9 11

National Security 7 4 24 8 16

The Supreme Court 5 8 7 9 18

Taxes 6 6 13 4 14

Guns 6 7 14 3 12

Climate Change 4 17 3 18 2


Figure 20General Confidence In Fair Election, But Black Southerner Concerned Over Access

Election Integrity Total confidentVery confident Total not confident

64

71

76

71

69

67

29

41

41

33

29

30

35

28

22

29

30

32

All citizens will have safe and equal access to voting.

The election will be conducted fairly and the results will reflect the will of the people.

Black

Latino

White

Black

Latino

White

Figure 21Qualifying Language On Lengthy Vote Count Increases Confidence In Accuracy

Election Integrity Total confidentVery confident Total not confident

73

67

64

67

61

58

30

32

31

31

30

26

27

31

34

33

38

42

While vote counting will take longer this year, all votes cast will be counted accurately.

All votes cast will be counted accurately.

Black

Latino

White

Black

Latino

White

Economics

Figure 23Large Divides Remain On Causes Of Economic Circumstances,But Increased Views On Lack Of Opportunity Holds Among White And Latino Southerners

Economic Situation Causes

Poor life choicesLack of opportunity

76

55

42

16

3544

Black Latino White

Do you think people living in poverty or living with very bad economic situations made poor life choices that led to their situation or is there a lack of opportunity in their community?

7060

51

2031 30

Black Latino White

October 2019 June 2020

78

6051

14

3140

Black Latino White

October 2020

Figure 24Women, Non-College Educated, Younger Drive Changes On Economic Causes Among White Southerners


Lack of Opportunity –Poor Life Choices October 2019 June 2020 October 2020

Net ShiftOctober 2019 to

October 2020

White Men -12 +15 -11 +1

White Women +8 +29 +30 +22

White College +7 +26 +14 +7

White Non-College -6 +20 +8 +14

White Under 50 -6 +31 +13 +19

White 50+ +1 +13 +8 +7


Figure 25Black Men, Latino College Students, Younger Latino Adults Shift Most Toward Lack Of Opportunity


Lack of Opportunity –Poor Life Choices Oct 2019 June 2020 Oct 2020

Net ShiftOctober 2019 –October 2020

Black Men +53 +45 +73 +20Black Women +66 +57 +56 -10Black College +67 +63 +68 +1

Black Non-College +58 +47 +63 +5Black Under 50 +57 +54 +60 +3

Black 50+ +63 +44 +68 +5Latino Men +3 +14 +12 +9

Latino Women +38 +43 +48 +10Latino College +19 +23 +40 +21

Latino Non-College +21 +29 +27 +6Latino Under 50 +16 +29 +29 +13

Latino 50+ +29 +27 +31 +2


Coronavirus

Figure 27Large Differences On Pace Of Re-Opening

Re-Opening

53

11

30

Black Latino White

40

17

4029

26

42

Thinking about re-opening during the coronavirus, do you think your city or county is opening up too fast, not opening up fast enough, or is opening up at the right pace?

Not Fast EnoughToo Fast Right Pace

Figure 28Party ID Drives Views On Re-Opening

Re-Opening

62

37

68

28

13

55

33

208 17 927

34

8 17

3426

35

20

38

51

35

4843

Black Dems Black Inds White Dems White Inds White Reps Latino Dems Latino Inds Latino Reps

Thinking about re-opening during the coronavirus, do you think your city or county is opening up too fast, not opening up fast enough, or is opening up at the right pace?

Not Fast EnoughToo Fast Right Pace

Figure 29Black People Don’t Plan On Getting COVID Vaccine, White People Do, Latino People Mixed

Black

434551

34

Latino White

27

58

As you may know, scientists and drug manufacturers are working on the development of a COVID vaccine. Do you plan to get a COVID vaccine when it becomes available?

NoYes

Figure 30Vaccine Concerns Are Connected To This Particular Vaccine

Black Latino White

36

54

36

58

4348

(IF NOT PLANNING TO GET VACCINE) Do you plan NOT to get a COVID vaccine because you don’t trust vaccines in general or because you don’t trust the development of this particular vaccine?

Don’t trust this particular vaccineDon’t trust in general

Figure 31Non-College Educated White People Are Generally More Vaccine Skeptical, But Others More Concerned About This Particular Vaccine

Vaccine Concerns

2937

24

3928

47

63

51

69

5560

44

Black college Black non-college

Latino college Latino non-college

White college White non-college



Figure 32White & Latino Republicans Are More Vaccine Skeptical Than Just Opposed To The COVID Vaccine

Vaccine Concerns

29

56

34

22

50

28

45 46

59

35

6369

43

69

51

40




Race, Economics & Health Care

Figure 34Black And Latino Southerners Think Too Little Attention Is Paid To Racial Issues;White Southerners Think There is Too Much Attention

Attention To Race

19

39

50

66

4031

1116 15

Black Latino White

Now, I am going to ask you some questions about race and racial relations in the United States. First, do you think there is too much, too little, or the right amount of attention paid to race and racial issues in the United States today?

October 2019

12

32

47

69

45

28

15 19 18

Black Latino White

October 2020

Too little Right amountToo much

Figure 35Large Shift Among Black Southernerers Regarding Direction Of Race Relations

Race Relations 5 Years Ago

13 14 18

35 31 33

51 5447

Black Latino White

(SPLIT) Do you think racial relations in the United States today are better, worse, or about the same as 5 years ago?

October 2019

9 101718

30 30

72

5749

Black Latino White

October 2020

About the same WorseBetter

Figure 36Across Race, People Are Less Positive About Progress Over Past 50 Years

Race Relations 50 Years Ago

30

43

58

2418 17

4337

25

Black Latino White

(SPLIT) Do you think racial relations in the United States are better, worse, or about the same as 50 years ago?

October 2019

2328

48

34 38

25

3932

23

Black Latino White

October 2020

About the same WorseBetter

Figure 37White And Latino Respondents Revert To Their 2019 Views On Inequal Economic Opportunity

White Econ Opportunities

NoYes

90

64

44

10

35

54

Black Latino White

Do you think white people in the United States have more economic opportunities than African Americans and Hispanics?

October 2019

81

67

46

13

29

46

Black Latino White

June 2020

87

61

42

10

35

52

Black Latino White

October 2020

Figure 38College Educated Latino And White Respondents Cite Inequal Economic Opportunity More Than Non-College Educated People


NoYes

89 87

75

59 55

37

710

24

37 39

57





October 2020

Figure 39Latina And White Women Cite Inequal Economic Opportunity More Than Men


88 86

5766

3946

9 11

3831

58

45

Black men Black women Latino men Latino women White men White women


NoYesOctober 2020

Figure 40Older White And Latino Southerners Least Likely To Cite Inequal Economic Opportunity


8590

67

48 51

33

11 8

30

45 44

59

Black under 50 Black 50+ Latino under 50 Latino 50+ White under 50 White 50+


NoYesOctober 2020

Figure 41Rural White And Latino Southerners Drive Differences On White Privilege Issue


Black Latino White

Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural

Yes 94 92 93 68 58 48 54 45 37

No 3 7 7 30 40 47 44 53 61


Figure 42Massive Partisan Divide Among White/Latino Respondents On White Southerners’ Economic Opportunity


Black Latino White

Dems Inds Dems Inds Reps Dems Inds Reps

Yes 91 78 79 69 23 79 46 24

No 6 17 18 27 74 12 42 73


Figure 43Major Racial Divide On Perceptions On Access To Healthcare

Healthcare Access

79

61

42

15

35

48

Black Latino White

Do you think white people in the United States have better access to healthcare than African Americans and Hispanics?

June 202079

54

36

17

40

58

Black Latino White

October 2020

NoYes

Figure 44Big Partisan Divide Among White And Latino Southerners On Access To Healthcare

Healthcare Access

Black Latino White

Dems Inds Dems Inds Reps Dems Inds Reps

Yes 85 69 77 49 20 74 40 18

No 12 24 19 41 77 15 53 78

Do you think white people in the United States have better access to healthcare than African Americans and Hispanics?

Figure 45Major Differences On Systemic Racism

72

54

41

14

19

17

8

22

36

Black

Latino

White

Please tell me which ONE best describes your opinion - I believe systemic or institutional racism is a major problem impacting our country today, I do NOT believe systemic or institutional racism is a major problem impacting our country today, or I am not really familiar with the term "systemic or institutional racism"

Systemic Racism

Not familiar with the term systemic racism

System racism is a major problem Systemic racism is not a major problem

Figure 46Education Gap On Views Of Systemic Racism

Systemic Racism

86

68 67

52 52

36

5 17 823

622

6 823 21

37 36




Please tell me which ONE best describes your opinion - I believe systemic or institutional racism is a major problem impacting our country today, I do NOT believe systemic or institutional racism is a major problem impacting our country today, or I am not really familiar with the term "systemic or institutional racism"

Not familiar with the term systemic racism

System racism is a major problem

Systemic racism is not a major problem

Figure 47

5344

26

55

45

2937

46

57

2433

50

Black Latino White Black Latino White

Some Movement Toward Making Big Changes With Recovery,But Large Racial Gaps Remain

Thinking about how the United States recovers from the pandemic and gets back to normal, do you think the next President and Congress should focus on making big changes that address historical racial inequities in health care, education, and the economy OR do you think they

should just take steps to restore to the way they were before the pandemic as quickly as possible?

Make big changes that address historical racial inequities in healthcare, education, and the economy.

Just take steps to restore our health care, education, and economic systems as quickly as possible.

June 2020 October 2020

Figure 48

51

61

49

36 36

2327

18

3137

4754

Black under 50 Black 50+ Latino under 50 Latino 50+ White under 50 White 50+

A Substantial Racial Divide Between Younger Black & Latino Southerners & Younger White Southerners; Also, A Massive Gulf Between Older Black, White, & Latino Southerners

Thinking about how the United States recovers from the pandemic and gets back to normal, do you think the next President and Congress should focus on making big changes that address historical racial inequities in health care, education, and the economy OR do you think they

should just take steps to restore to the way they were before the pandemic as quickly as possible?

Make big changes that address historical racial inequities in healthcare, education, and the economy.

Just take steps to restore our health care, education, and economic systems as quickly as possible.

October 2020

Police Reform

Figure 50Big Differences On Who Is Responsible For Deaths Of Black People In Police Custody

8

24

39

26

23

19

42

31

17

Black

Latino

White

Do you think the deaths of Black men and women in police custody are the result of the behavior of those in custody, the result of bad police officers, or the result of a racist police system?

Custody Deaths

Individuals who are bad police officersBehavior of individuals in custody Racist police system

Figure 51Partisanship Drives Views Of Responsibility For Custody Deaths

Custody Deaths

7 6 14

26

41

13

30

54

2720 21

26 2318 18 21

4248

44

21 19

44

18 5


Do you think the deaths of Black men and women in police custody are the result of the behavior of those in custody, the result of bad police officers, or the result of a racist police system?

Individuals who are bad police officersBehavior of individuals in custody Racist police system

Figure 52Broad Support On Reform Related To Deadly Force

Police Reform Proposals

90

88

87

87

90

86

88

90

80

75

74

73

67

72

70

64

69

56

Requiring police departments to report all instances of deadly force used against civilians

and create a reliable database of such incidents

Requiring other officers to step in when they see other officers using excessive force and holding

them responsible if they don't

Ending immunity for police officers and prosecuting them if they break the law

Strongly favor Total favor

Latino WhiteBlack

Figure 53Support Varies By Race For Bolder Reforms Like Re-imagining Policing

Police Reform Proposals

82

75

74

80

82

62

70

87

48

63

52

49

56

59

35

39

63

28

Reforming the police use of force standards, so that it limits and specifies the types of force that

can be used to respond to specific types of resistance

Increasing the funding and training hours for police officers across the country

Re-imagining policing, so police officers only deal with violent crime and robbery, while assigning

non-violent situations to mental health professionals and other expert

Strongly favor Total favor

Latino WhiteBlack

Figure 54White Respondents Worry That Reforms Will Go Too Far;While Black And Latino Respondents Worry Reforms Won’t Go Far Enough

Thinking about lawmakers’ response to the protests that have continued after the death of George Floyd, which of the following concerns you more? Lawmakers Concern

Lawmakers will go too far in addressing these issues and will take steps that end up weakening our ability to enforce law and order, and will make our communities less safe.

Lawmakers will not go far enough in addressing police brutality and bias against African Americans and other minorities throughout the criminal justice system.

65

48

34

17

31

48

Black

Latino

White

Appendix:Black Demographic Profile

Figure 57Profile: Very Democratic, Non-College Education, More Women Than Men, Mixed Ages

44 3414 7

HS or Less Vo-Tech/Some

Coll/Assoc

College GradSchool

Party

72

206

Democrat Independent Republican

Education

Gender Age

46 54

Men Women

26 19 17 24 15

18 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 64 65+

78% Non-College

Figure 58Profile:Suburban, Majority Homeowners, Middle/Lower-Middle Class

22

55

23

Urban Suburban Rural

Home Ownership

3954

Rent Own

Area Type

Martial Status Income

49

18 23

Below 50K 50K-75K 75K or more

32

65

Married Unmarried

KidsYes: 26/No: 73

Appendix:Latino Demographic Profile

Figure 60Profile:Democratic, Non-College Education, Even Gender Mix, Very Young

4730

14 6


Coll/Assoc

College GradSchool

Party

4725 26


Education

Gender Age

50 49

Men Women

27 22 20 20 11

18 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 64 65+

78% Non-College

Figure 61Profile:Suburban/Urban Mix, Majority Homeowners, Majority Lower Income

44 4016


Home Ownership

33

62

Rent Own

Area Type


45 53

Yes No

46

1827

Below 50K 50K-75K 75K or more

KidsYes: 38/No: 62

Appendix:White Demographic Profile

Figure 63Profile:Republican, Mostly Non-College Education, Even Gender Mix, Older

37 3220 11


Coll/Assoc

College GradSchool

Party

24 20

55


Education

Gender Age

49 51

Men Women

19 16 16 25 23

18 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 64 65+

68% Non-College

Figure 64Profile:Heavily Rural/Suburban, High Homeownership, Middle Class

15

41 44


Home Ownership

22

74

Rent Own

Area Type


54 46

Married Unmarried

41

1632

Below 50K 50K to 75K 75K or more

KidsYes: 27/No: 72

e pluribus unum...e pluribus unum annual survey of black, white, and latino americans in the...

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