Poll: Black Americans Troubled by Floyd's Death, Optimistic on Change

While most Black people remain sad, angry, and troubled by the killing of George Floyd and believe the nation's police forces are far more racially biased than white people do, there is more optimism that matters will change after nationwide protests after his death, a new poll reveals. 

According to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll of 1,153 non-Hispanic Black adults, conducted from June 9-14 and while large protests were still going on, a majority of Americans reported feeling troubled after Floyd's death, but more than half of Black adults said they or someone they know had experienced an unfair interaction with police in recent years, reports The Washington Post.

Further, more than a third reported they had been involved in an incident when they were afraid a police officer would hurt them, a much higher number than white or Hispanic Americans reported.

The poll, however, reflected optimism that change will happen: 

• 19% said the attention to Floyd's killing will increase how much white Americans are concerned about police discrimination against Black people a "great deal."
• 40% said the increase will be "a good amount."
• 32% said by a "little" that they don't think it will make a difference.
• 7% said it won't make a difference at all. 

Opinions were also split about whether they believe police are generally more likely to use deadly force against Black people than white adults:

• About half of white Americans say deadly force is likely.
• 66% of Hispanic Americans agreed.
• More than 90% of Black Americans agreed. 

The poll also showed that three-quarters of Black Americans commented that when white people falsely accuse Black people of a crime, that factors into police officers behaving badly. 

Among white Americans, however:

• 80% believe a lack of accountability comes into play.
• About 30% say false accusations are a major reason for unfair treatment. 
• In addition, 81% of Black Americans said white Americans don't understand the level of discrimination they face in their everyday life. 

Both groups said they disapprove of President Donald Trump's reaction to Floyd's killing and the protests that followed, but more Black people opposed Trump's reaction than did white people.

The poll carries a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

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