In the wake of the Baltimore riots, few Americans feel optimistic about police relations in the country.
96 percent anticipate more “racial disturbances” this summer, according to a WSJ/NBC poll. The survey was conducted April 26-30–just as riots broke out after Freddie Gray’s funeral.
And although Americans broadly agree that the violence is a recurring problem, there is a racial divide over the cause. 60 percent of blacks said that clashes between police and communities in cities like Baltimore are the result of “long-standing frustrations about police mistreatment of African Americans.”
Only 32 percent of whites agreed with that statement, while 58 percent said they were caused by people seeking an excuse to loot.
A recent HuffPost/YouGov poll did find, however, that white Americans are now more likely to identify incidents of police abuse as part of a “broader pattern” of discrimination. Whereas 56 percent of whites called Michael Brown’s death an isolated incident, 38 percent called Freddie Gray’s death part of a broader pattern. 36 percent called it an isolated incident.
The same poll found that 42 percent of Americans think the federal government only pays attention to blacks when they turn to violence–and just 15 percent of blacks believe the government is aware of their problems in times of peace.
