2021’s States with the Most Racial Progress

From Wallet Hub, January 15, 2021

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. introduced the world to his dream of a society that focuses on character, not on complexion. America has certainly come closer to realizing Dr. King’s vision. However, segregation and discrimination continue to persist.

In 2020, conversations on race became especially prevalent, with protests largely about police brutality giving way to greater discussions of inequality. These discussions seem to be making an impact, too – according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 52 percent of Americans say they have been paying more attention to issues of race in recent months. In addition, 49 percent of Americans say the U.S. hasn’t done enough to give black Americans equal rights to white Americans, compared to 45 percent in 2019.

As we think about future improvement, it’s important to recognize the racial harmony we’ve achieved — in our workplaces, in our schools and in our voting booths. To that end, WalletHub measured the gaps between black people and white people across 21 key indicators of equality and integration in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their data set ranges from median annual household income to standardized-test scores to voter turnout.

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