ewer than 10 percent of White respondents held similar negative attitudes towards Blacks, suggesting that Hispanics were not adopting their negative views from Whites. Previous research on race and Latin America found that Blacks “represent the bottom rungs of society” and Duke researchers surmise Latino immigrants “might bring prejudicial attitudes with them,” the study states.
Dr. Ronald Walters, a professor of political science at the University of Maryland, calls the study “right on target.” He says that Hispanics overwhelmingly consider themselves as “White” because of the overall negatives associations with being Black.
Some say that such poor relations represent a missed opportunity for two working-class groups to partner politically. McClain intends to start a larger survey in the next year in other Southern cities, including Memphis. She hopes her findings will be more positive.
“If large portions of Latino immigrants maintain negative attitudes of Black Americans, where will this leave Blacks?” she asks. “Will Blacks find that they must not only make demands on Whites for continued progress, but also mount a fight on another front against Latinos?”
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
