Predicting and Explaining Public Opinion Regarding U.S. Slavery Reparations

Abstract

Slavery reparations have long been a discussion topic within the African American community and press. The issue has begun to appear in mainstream press and was a topic at a Fall 2001 United Nation summit on race. Little is known about how Americans feel about slavery reparations, proposed forms of compensation, and how opinions compare to reparations already awarded to others such as Japanese Americans interned during World War II. The data for this study were obtained from a Fall 2001 poll conducted by a mid-sized southern university of state residents (N = 614). Data suggest that attitudes toward slavery reparations and forms of compensation are largely predicted by race and mediated by the belief that race relations will be hurt or hindered by awarding reparations. Attitudes were quite varied and are not as polarized as the press portrays them. Despite the fact that many are opposed to reparations to individuals, further examination reveals that there is support for other forms of compensation such as a slavery museum and community development programs. Although newspaper use failed to predict attitudes toward slavery reparations, television news viewing had significant effects on support for a formal apology, monument, and museum.