The Gallup Organization takes polls on a regular basis to determine public opinion on discrimination, affirmative action, civil rights, and the progress that has been made by minorities in American society. Polls consistently reveal differences in the way various groups perceive many issues and in their respective levels of satisfaction.

Life Satisfaction of Minority Groups

In a June 2003 Gallup poll, just 37 percent of African-Americans maintained they were "very satisfied" with their lives, as opposed to 55 percent of non-Hispanic whites. Another 45 percent of African-Americans were "somewhat satisfied" with their lives, but the total satisfaction level of 82 percent for African-Americans still trailed that of non-Hispanic whites (92 percent). (See Figure 10.1.) African-Americans were particularly less optimistic than whites regarding their housing, physical safety, finances, and opportunities for success.

Hispanics polled by Gallup in July 2003 were more positive than African-Americans about the quality of life improving for Hispanics, with 70 percent saying...