Newsweek recently revisited a survey that they initially put out back in 1966 –a survey to get into the minds of teenagers across America. The survey, back in 1966 reflected views of how teenagers saw the world, society, their parents, and their futures. Only 44% of those teenagers believed that racial discrimination would die out for their generation. Sadly, the 2016 study is not parallel.
82% of the 2016-surveyed teenagers feel as though racial discrimination will be a problem for their generation. Of that 82%, 91% are black teenagers believe it will be a problem from their generation and all generations to come.
Sheesh!
If you think about it, the way the U.S. is set up right now, it’s almost only right for them to feel that way. This generation is stuck between convincing White-America that #BlackLivesMatter and distinguishing whether or not they matter in their own communities. They are trying to figure out exactly how people can (still) judge, manipulate, and treat them different because of the color of their skin. Perhaps, and this is just a suggestion, 2016 teenagers and 1966 teenagers are living the same life presented in two different manners. Ever hear of the new Jim Crow? 91% seems like a steep number however, it isn’t unrealistic to believe that black teenagers in America are aware.
According to Newsweek’s survey, “African-American teenagers are more aware of gun violence and fatal shootings of innocent people by police than white or Latino teens are [and] They’re more likely to worry that they themselves will also fall victim to such shootings.”
All-in-all, numbers don’t lie. This is survey is a reflection of the state of our younger generations outlook on the world. Could you blame them?
TSR intern: Bossip, http://bossip.com/1315282/racism-matters-study-shows-91-of-black-teens-in-america-believe-bigotry-is-here-to-stay/
TSR intern: Chantel P.! @_popchanny on IG!
