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Good Times?

Understanding African American Misperceptions of Racial Economic Fortunes

Bethany Albertson

University of Chicago

In the year 2000, nearly 30% of African American respondents to a national survey expressed the belief that Blacks are doing better economically than Whites. There is no evidence to suggest that African Americans are in a better economic position than Whites. Striking gaps in income, employment, and wealth continue to distinguish Black economic reality. Why, then, did some African Americans misperceive racial economic fortunes in the late 90s? This article explores the possibility that the answer lies, in part, with Black attitudes toward Bill Clinton. This study uses measures of Black public opinion toward economic issues in five different surveys from 1984 to 2000. Using data drawn from these five surveys, we explore African American perceptions of personal economic situation, racial economic well-being, national economic improvement, and the comparison in economic position of the racial groups and ask why some African Americans misperceive these realities.

Key Words: economic attitudes • President Clinton • race and politics

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