Majority of Black Americans Believe US Systems Limit Their Progress

TL/DR –

The Pew Research Center conducted a study examining the extent to which Black Americans believe U.S. institutions intentionally or negligently harm Black people. The study found that large majorities of Black Americans believe that the prison, political, and economic systems in the U.S. were designed to hold Black people back. The study also revealed that Black Americans who have experienced racial discrimination are more likely to believe U.S. institutions intentionally or negligently harm Black people.

Updated Study Sheds Light on Black Americans’ Mistrust of U.S. Institutions

An initial version of this research study was introduced on June 10. Our previous reference to “racial conspiracy theories” inadvertently obscured the study’s purpose. Consequently, this revised version comes with an updated headline, clarifying paragraphs, added context, and direct quotes from focus group participants.

Insight into Black Americans’ Perceptions of Success and Hindrances

The objective of this Pew Research Center study was to explore Black Americans’ perceptions of factors that influence their success in the United States. An early 2024 report delved into the elements of success, while this report focuses on the hindrances. Based on historical experience with racial discrimination, Black Americans might harbour suspicions about the actions of U.S. institutions. This suspicion often translates into beliefs about the intentional or negligent harm that impedes Black people’s prosperity.

In a survey, Black adults were asked their familiarity with these ideas and whether they believed such actions were confined to the past or still occurred today. This study incorporated seven focus groups with Black adults across various demographics, and a survey sample of 4,736 U.S. adults identifying as Black and non-Hispanic, multiracial Black and non-Hispanic, or Black and Hispanic. Details on the survey methodology can be found here.

Terminology Used in the Report

This report uses the terms Black Americans, Black adults, and Black people interchangeably to refer to U.S. adults who identify as Black, either alone or in combination with other races or Hispanic ethnicity. For further clarity on the terminologies used in the report, please see the methodology.

Findings from the Study

Although many Black Americans see themselves as somewhat successful and are optimistic about their financial future, many also believe that U.S. institutions – particularly the prison, political, and economic systems – were intentionally designed to hold Black people back. These beliefs are often grounded in historical experiences of racial discrimination, including slavery, Jim Crow laws, mass incarceration, and the persistence of racial disparities in income, wealth, education, imprisonment, and health outcomes.

Black Americans who have experienced racial discrimination are more likely to believe in the intentional or negligent harm by U.S. institutions. Differences also exist among Black Americans based on gender, education, family income, and political affiliation.

Quotes from 2023 Focus Groups of Black Americans

Excerpts from our 2023 focus groups of Black Americans reveal the belief that systemic barriers intentionally hold them back. Their quotes shed light on the perceived deliberate design of the country’s institutions to impede Black people’s success. For a comprehensive understanding of these illustrated quotes, refer to the focus group methodology.

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