Progress seen since MLK Jr.

Sun., Jan. 15, 2006

Will Lester Associated Press

at a glance

Attitudes about Martin Luther King Jr. Day

» An AP-Ipsos poll surveyed 1,242 adults on their attitudes about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and racial progress. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, slightly larger for blacks.

» •Who commemorates the holiday: Blacks, at 60 percent, were more likely than whites, at 15 percent, to commemorate the holiday. At 13 percent, people age 65 and older were less likely than people in other age groups to participate.

» •Progress toward the dream: Whites, at 78 percent, were more likely than blacks, at 66 percent, to feel that significant progress has been made toward racial equality. Young adults, at 85 percent, were the most likely to feel significant progress has been made.

» •Should there be a holiday: Blacks, at 96 percent, were more likely than whites, at 67 percent, to feel that King's birthday should be a national holiday. People under 50 were more likely than those over 50 to think MLK Day should be a national holiday.

WASHINGTON – Most Americans believe there has been significant progress in achieving Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of racial equality, though African Americans are more skeptical, an AP-Ipsos poll found.

Racial integration has swept across much of American life, and blacks have gained economic ground since the height of the civil rights movement. Two decades ago, the government established a federal holiday in honor of the slain civil rights leader.

On some measures such as annual income, African Americans have closed the gap considerably with whites over the past few decades, census figures show. The progress for African Americans may have stalled, however, and some even fear a possible backlash.

“We’ve made great progress over the last 50 years,” said Julian Bond, national chairman of the NAACP. “Progress has always been stop-and-start, and sometimes backup. We’re in a holding pattern right now.”

Three-quarters of those surveyed say there has been significant progress on achieving King’s dream. But only 66 percent of blacks felt that way.

“At times I have felt that we’ve made progress,” said Aubrey Jones, a black deputy warden at a state prison near Macon, Ga. “At other times, I feel we’re at a standstill, especially when you come across instances of individuals being prejudiced.”

The obstacles extend beyond instances of discrimination and prejudice.

“For a big portion of the African Americans, there’s not better education,” said David Bositis, an analyst of black issues for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. “There have been some gains made, but it’s uneven.”

Only 23 percent of respondents said they will do something to commemorate the national holiday that took effect in 1986 after a lengthy campaign in Congress to honor King. A solid majority of blacks, 60 percent, said they will get involved in holiday activities.

Participation in the holiday was enhanced by legislation passed in 1994 establishing the day as one of service. In many places, people will help with projects aimed to improve the community and help the needy. Supporters of the holiday try to discourage businesses from using it as a marketing gimmick.

“Martin Luther King would turn over in his grave if he thought he was recognized by a day of shopping and rest,” said former Sen. Harris Wofford, D-Pa., who worked with Rep. John Lewis of Georgia to establish the holiday as a day of service.

“The idea that it’s a day on and not a day off is catching on. But the King holiday is well short of what it needs to be,” Wofford said.

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