A new survey says people are more worried about race relations now than at any time in the last 15 years, and that worries about this issue have increased in the last two years of President Obama’s presidency.
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The new Gallup survey said 35 percent of those asked worry “a great deal” about race relations in the United States, the highest share since Gallup first asked the question in 2001. That’s up seven points from 2015, when 28 percent answered the same way.
When Obama took office, about 16 percent of people were worried about race relations, and that number has grown in most years under Obama. The percentage spiked in 2015 from 17 percent to 28 percent.
However, race relations is not a priority for most people. Though in 2015 the percentage concerned about race relations is up, it still ranks near the bottom of the list that is filled with other issues like energy, climate change and illegal immigration. By contrast, at least 50 percent of those surveyed are more worried about healthcare, the economy and crime.
The telephone survey of 1,019 U.S adults was conducted March 2-6 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
