(NewsNation) — Most Black adults say United States institutions such as the prison system and policing are designed to hold back Black Americans, according to a Pew Research analysis.
The survey and focus groups conducted in the spring and summer of 2023 point to significant concerns about racial bias across several U.S. institutions.
The largest percentage of respondents, 74%, said the prison system is designed to hold them back a great deal or a fair amount.
They held the same view for the following institutions:
- Courts and judicial process: 70%
- Policing: 68%
- Political system: 67%
- Economic system: 65%
- News media: 52%
- Health care system: 51%
The analysis suggests that many Black adults believe racial bias in American systems is by design, not the result of negligence.
Although many Black Americans would describe themselves as at least somewhat successful and optimistic about their financial future, they cite concerns about ongoing and intentional bias.
That includes 76% who said Black public officials are singled out to be discredited in a way that doesn’t happen with white officials.
Seventy-six percent of respondents also said police do very little to stop guns and drugs from flooding Black communities, and 74% said Black people are disproportionately incarcerated so prisons can make money, according to Pew’s analysis.
