Wide partisan gap in views of racism as a big % who say racism is a big problem in our society today
There has been a steady increase in the share of Americans who view racism as a big problem in the U.S. – especially among black Americans. Since 2009, the first year of Barack Obama’s presidency, the share of those who consider racism a big problem has grown among all racial groups. This is especially true for black Americans. In 2017, about eight-in-ten blacks (81%) said racism is a big problem in society today, up from 44% eight years prior. By comparison, about half of whites (52%) said racism is a big problem in our society, up from 22% in 2009. There were also partisan divides on this question, which have grown from 2015.
Wide partisan gap in views of racism as a big  | problem' grows gap even wider; racial differences big persist  | % who say racism is a big problem in our society today  | 76  | 73  | Black  | 59  | 58  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 40  | 37  | White  | 27  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 22  | 18 20  | Jan  | 2017 Aug.  | Jan.  | Aug  | 2009  | 2017 Aug.  | 2009  | 2017  | Note: Don it know responses not shown.  | Source: Survey conducted Aug. 15-21, 201 7 2009 and 2010 surveys from ABC  | News/" Washington Post.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 