08 Race Relations Report

8/2/2019 08 Race Relations Report

1/36

RACE RELATIONS PROGRESS REPORT

2008 EDITION

JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITYCOUNCIL INC.


2/36

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2

INTRODUCTION 3

SURVEYMETHODOLOGY 4

PERCEPTIONS OF RACE RELATIONS TODAY 5

EDUCATION 9

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME 13

NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING 17

HEALTH 21

JUSTICE AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM 25

POLITICS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 29

ABOUTJCCI 33

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JCCI 2008 Race Relations Progress Report, page 1

The 2008 Race Relations Progress ReportReview Committee was chaired by

Giselle Carson

Angela Corey

Nelson Cuba

Michael DuBow

Dana Fields-Johnson

Chris Hazelip

Amy Hays Holliman

Ed Johnson

Dan McCarthy

Ken Middleton

Thuy-Anh Nguyen

Janet Owens

Toni Philips

Dan Principe

Joe Schmidt

Steve Sherman

Charlene Taylor Hill

Mike Wachholz

Tara Wildes

Dottie Wilson

Committee members included:


3/36


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 1995, Jacksonville elected the first black Sheriff in Florida since Reconstruction. Many, especially in the whitecommunity, saw this historic achievement as evidence that Jacksonville had finally laid to rest its well-documentedproblems of racial discrimination and race-based disparities. While this was a positive moment in Jacksonvilles

history, as outlined in JCCIs 2002 Beyond the Talk: Improving Race Relations study, the community still had much workto do to address race-based disparities and discrimination. This report is one of the many outcomes of that study: iserves to document our progress towards a vision of racial justice and inclusion for all residents of Jacksonville.

This is JCCIs fourth annual Race Relations Progress Report. For the first time, it includes Hispanic perceptions othe progress Jacksonville is making toward achieving our communitys vision. It documents progress, provides newinsights and fresh views on the issues, and indicates where work remains to be done to achieve the future we desire

Education: As students progress through the Duval County Public Schools, significant gaps persist among whitesblacks and Hispanics in academic achievement and educational outcomes. The percentage of students reading agrade level increased slightly for all races and ethnicities; however, disparities in educational outcomes between whitesand blacks and whites and Hispanics persist. Jacksonville residents do not perceive opportunities for a good educa-

tion in the same way. There is little agreement on equality of educational opportunity in Jacksonvilles schools aswhites were twice as likely as blacks to say that black children have an equally good chance at a quality education.

Employment and income: Economic disparities are widening. Although the median family income for whitesdeclined, the percentage and real dollar decline for blacks were much greater. The disparity in the percentages ochildren living in low-income households is wide. Hispanic children are more than twice as likely to be living in a low-income household as compared to whites, and black children are living in low-income households even morefrequently. The percentage of total dollar value of the Citys contracts awarded to black contractors has decreased andcontinues to remain very low for Hispanic and other minorities.

Neighborhoods and housing:As a percentage of their household income, Jacksonvilles blacks continue to make adisproportionately higher investment in their housing when compared to their white counterparts. Jacksonvilleresidents seem to be building a shared perception of these disparities in housing. In 2008, both whites and blackswere less confident that Jacksonvilles black population has fair housing opportunities.

Health: Heart disease death rates have widened between black and white residents and have increased significantlyfor both blacks and Hispanics. The disparity in infant death rates is of great concern and was the subject of a recentlycompleted JCCI study.

Justice and the legal system: Blacks comprise 29 percent of Jacksonvilles population, yet 52 percent of its jail andprison admissions. Black youth ages 10-17 are twice as likely to be referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice astheir white peers.

Politics and civic engagement: More than half of Jacksonville residents of all races perceive they have little to noinfluence on the local governments decisions. The good news is that blacks, whites, and Hispanics appear to havehad few problems voting this year. Voter registration rates and voter turnout rates for Hispanics are low.

While historic elections can spark conversation around race and ethnicity in America today, our survey conducted justafter the election in November shows that the perceptions of white, black, and Hispanic residents differ significantlyaround the questions of race relations in Jacksonville and the opportunities for fair treatment throughout Jacksonvilleinstitutions. And data on racial disparities reflecting the realities of life in Jacksonville show that much work is still tobe done as we hope for change.


4/36

In 2002, JCCI released a citizen-led study, Beyond the Talk: Improving Race Relations. The study documented tharacial disparities were prevalent locally in six areas: education, income and employment, housing, health, criminaljustice, and the political process. Beyond the Talk concluded that quality of life disparities are caused by multiple

factors: individual racism, individual behavior, and the practices of public and private institutions.

Beyond the Talk presented a set of 27 recommendations to improve race relations in Jacksonville and to eliminateracial disparities. A primary recommendation stated that JCCI should distribute an annual report card to measurerace-based disparities as well as perceptions of racism and discrimination in the community. (In all, 22 recommenda-tions were fully or partially implemented within the first two years, and work continues throughout the community. Asummary of the Beyond the Talk implementation teams final report is available at www.jcci.org.)

In 2005, JCCI released its firstRace Relations Progress Report, using survey data and community data to measure raciadisparities. Many people in the community were involved in helping identify indicators, conduct surveys, participatein focus groups, and interpret the results. Others met after the release of the initial report to help guide thecreation of follow-up reports, based on lessons learned from the first report. Their efforts on launching this ground

breaking undertaking were and are much appreciated.

This is the 2008 update of the Race Relations Progress Report. It includes an in-depth survey, as did the first reportwith the addition of Hispanic survey respondents and additional questions to measure the Hispanic experience inJacksonville. This report also includes concise indicators on each of the areas covered, to help guide policy decisionsand community work, identify priority areas of concern for further investigation and effort, and measure progresstoward an inclusive community, free of race-based disparities and discrimination.

Committee members have been concerned that the Progress Report show as much information as possible about thevarious racial and ethnic populations in Jacksonville. In all cases where the data were available, this report showstrends among white, black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American residents of Jacksonville. In some cases, accuratedata were simply not available. Caution should be taken in interpreting trendlines when the base population is below50,000, as small movements tend to create large fluctuations in the graphs.

The 2007 American Community Survey provided the following information about Duval Countys population (non-Hispanic white and black populations represented):

White Black Hispanic Asian Native American Other2007 59.4% 29.1% 6.0% 3.3% 0.2% 2.0%

The University of Floridas Bureau of Economic and Business Research provided these detailed estimates andprojections of Jacksonvilles population (non-Hispanic white and black populations represented):

White Black Hispanic Other Total Population2000 64.5% 28.0% 4.1% 3.4% 778,8792005 60.8% 30.1% 5.4% 3.7% 861,1502010 58.0% 31.5% 6.3% 4.2% 939,7842020 53.0% 34.3% 7.7% 5.0% 1,077,4562030 50.1% 35.6% 8.7% 5.6% 1,191,480

Additional copies of this report are available online at www.jcci.org or at JCCIs office at 2434 Atlantic BoulevardJacksonville, Florida 32207, or call JCCI at (904) 396-3052. For questions or comments about the progress reportplease e-mail [email protected].


INTRODUCTION


5/36

This report is informed by three different local surveys.

In October-November 2004, Jacksonville University conducted a telephone survey of 914 Jacksonville

residents (514 white, 400 black) for the first JCCI Race Relations Progress Report. Margin of error for thesurvey was +/- 5 percent. This represented one of the first efforts to develop a statistically significansampling of black respondents in Jacksonville. Jacksonville University and Edward Waters College followedup this survey with eleven focus groups to gain further input and understanding for the report.

In September 2008, American Public Dialogue (APD) surveyed 469 Jacksonville residents (355 white, 86black, 6 Hispanic, 4 Asian, and 18 unknown) for the 24th edition of JCCIs 2008 Quality of Life ProgressReport. This survey has been conducted annually since 1985. Statistical reliability for the racial breakdowns in this survey are less accurate than the overall reliability; while the overall survey has a margin oerror of +/- 4.9 percent, the margin of error is +/- 5.5 percent for white respondents and +/- 9.1 percenfor black respondents. This survey is labeled in the document as American Public Dialogue, QO(meaningQuality of Life.) In some instances, the same question was asked in both the QOL and the

November 2008 survey to obtain more precise information.

In November 2008, immediately following the national elections, APD surveyed 1,089 Jacksonville residents(433 white, 424 black, 200 Hispanic, 6 Asian, and 26 unknown) for the 2008 edition of the JCCI RaceRelations Progress Report. This survey is labeled in the document asAmerican Public Dialogue, Nov. 2008The margin of error was +/-2.9 percent for the total survey, +/-4.9 for both white and black respondentsand +/-5.9 for Hispanic respondents. The survey expanded both the number of questions and the answescale from the 2004 survey. In the 2004 survey, the respondents were asked in several instances for oneof two possible responses: As Good or Not As Good (though some volunteered Better), or one ofthree responses (Major, Minor, or None.) In the former case, the 2008 survey included Better asan option, and also added No Chance. In the latter case, the survey kept the Major-Minor-None scale,but then asked, if the response was Minor, if that was closer to Major or a non-factor. This allowsfor both comparability to the prior survey and a wider breadth of answers to help understand communityperceptions better.

In addition, the U.S. Census performs an annual survey, the American Community Survey. Each year, this survey isbecoming more complete, with the intent of replicating the information on the long form of the 10-year census on anannual basis. Data taken from this effort is labeledAmerican Community Survey, U.S. Census. The methodology fothis survey can be found at www.census.gov.

Because Hispanic refers to ethnicity, not race, care should be taken with population estimates and with the data.When the data providers separated out the non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black population from the Hispanicpopulation, the report will identify that for the reader. In other cases, there may be data overlap between racial and

ethnic identifiers.

Additional information, the complete survey instruments, as well as detailed reference and cross-tabulation data areavailable for the Quality of Life and the Race Relations surveys on the JCCI website at www.jcci.org.

What Can You Do? Several organizations and agencies throughout the community are working on theissues raised in this report. Please call JCCI to find out more about these efforts and learn how you can getinvolved, or visit www.jcci.org for more information.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY



6/36

PERCEPTIONS OF RACE RELATIONS TODAY


Is Racism Perceived asa Problem in Jacksonville?

Source: American Public Dialogue, QOL

In 2007, 12 percentage points separated whiteand black perceptions that racism was acommunity problem; in 2008, the perceptiongap had grown to 20 points.

The Beyond the Talk study concluded, The wide range ofperceptions among Jacksonvilles citizens about past andcurrent racial disparities impedes resolution of all problems in

race relations.

JCCI has been tracking perceptions of racism in Jacksonvillethrough the Quality of Life Progress Report since 1985. Thesurvey question asks, In your opinion during the last year, doyou feel that racism is a problem in Jacksonville?

Yes responses (racism is a problem):

2007 2008 DifferenceWhite 62% 57% - 5%Black 74% 77% + 3%

Shared understanding of the extent of the problem is often aprerequisite to reaching agreement on how to solve thatproblem. A 2001 national survey by Harvard University, inpartnership with the Washington Post and the KaiserFoundation, asked respondents about the life experiences ofblack and Hispanic residents in the U.S. They compared thesurvey responses to the actual racial disparities displayed in the2000 U.S. Census and concluded that perceptions often didnot match reality.

They then compared how people responded to questionsabout public policy to the accuracy of their perceptions ofracial disparities. They found that the level of misperceptionabout real disparities in income, employment, education, andaccess to health care made significant differences in therespondents opinions about public policy solutions.

In the 2004 survey for the initial Race Relations ProgressReport, the same analysis was conducted. The same resultsheld true in Jacksonville as in the rest of the nation: differencesin opinions about public policy about race were largely tied todifferences in perceptions about race-based disparities.

The 2008 survey for this report found the same results holdingtrue for white, black, and Hispanic respondents. The resultsare available for in-depth exploration at www.jcci.org. Theconclusion drawn in the Beyond the Talk study is that sharedunderstanding of the extent of the problem is a prerequisite toreaching agreement on how to solve that problem. This reportis designed to bring about that shared understanding.


7/36



In November 2008, JCCI conducted a survey of white, black,and Hispanic residents of Jacksonville through American PublicDialogue.

The first question asked: We'd like to know how you would raterelations between various groups in Jacksonville these days, ifyou would say they are excellent good, fair, or poor:

Overall, how would you rate race relations between whites andblacks?

The responses by each racial or ethnic group follow:

Excellent Fair or Unknown/or Good Poor Refused

White 54% 41% 5%Black 27% 68% 4%Hispanic 45% 46% 9%

How would you rate relations between whites and Hispanics?



How would you rate relations between blacks and Hispanics?



The survey results revealed that whites were more optimisticabout black/white race relations than black respondents were,while Hispanic respondents were more optimistic about race

relations with both blacks and whites than the other surveyrespondents.

Relations Excellent or Good

Source: American Public Dialogue, Nov. 2008

Relations Fair or Poor



8/36

The Beyond the Talk study also found that differing perceptionsabout race relations are related to differences in experiences andperceptions of discrimination. Since 2000, JCCI has been track-

ing how people respond to the question, Thinking about yourown possible experience with racism, do you believe that youhave personally experienced racism during the past year whileshopping, while at work, or while renting or buying housing inJacksonville? Yes responses to shopping, which received thehighest yes responses, are represented in the graph.

September 2008 Yes responses (personally experiencedracism):

Work Shopping HousingWhite 5% 10% 2%Black 19% 31% 17%

The November 2008 survey answers to the same question weresimilar in housing, but higher in work and shopping. TheNovember 2008 survey also allowed for Hispanic responses tobe included.

November 2008 Yes responses (personally experiencedracism):

Work Shopping HousingWhite 10% 14% 2%Black 38% 53% 18%Hispanic 21% 26% 9%

Experiences of Racism when Shopping


In 2007, 30 percent of black respondents saidthat they had personally experienced racismwhile shopping; in 2008, responses hadincreased to 31 percent. Of the three surveyquestions, shopping reflects a more universaand constant activity, compared to work obuying or renting housing.

Personal Experiences with Racism





9/36


Treated Less Fairly in Stores/Shopping Malls


In 2004, 76 percent of black respondents saidthat blacks in Jacksonville were treated lessfairly while shopping; 24 percent of whiterespondents agreed. In 2008, the responseswere higher, at 83 and 39 percent respectivelyIn the 2008 survey, black respondents consis-tently perceived that Hispanics were treatedless fairly than Hispanics thought they were.

Treated Less Fairly in Restaurants/Entertainment

Source: American Public Dialogue, Nov. 2008In 2004, 58 percent of black respondents saidthat blacks in Jacksonville were treated lessfairly while in restaurants, bars, theaters, oother entertainment places; 12 percent ofwhite respondents agreed. In 2008, theresponses were higher, at 72 and 31 percentrespectively.

The survey asked white, black and Hispanic respondents aboutdiscrimination in two types of public spaces.

Just your impression, are blacks in Jacksonville treated lessfairly than whites in the following situations? Stores/ShoppingMalls, Restaurants/Entertainment Yes or No. If Yes, is that all thetime, sometimes or just occasionally?

Just your impression, are Hispanics in Jacksonville treated lessfairly than whites in the following situations? Stores/ShoppingMalls, Restaurants/Entertainment Yes or No. If Yes, is that all thetime, sometimes or just occasionally?

2008 Responses (Are blacks treated less fairly inStores/Shopping Malls?)

Yes NoWhite 39% 50%Black 83% 11%Hispanic 56% 36%

2008 Responses (Are blacks treated less fairly inRestaurants/ Entertainment?)

Yes NoWhite 31% 59%Black 72% 20%

Hispanic 47% 44%

2008 Responses (Are Hispanics treated less fairly inStores/Shopping Malls?)

Yes NoWhite 37% 46%Black 69% 8%Hispanic 56% 39%

2008 Responses (Are Hispanics treated less fairly in

Restaurants/ Entertainment?)Yes No

White 28% 55%Black 59% 15%Hispanic 49% 48%

Because of dont know responses, totals do not add to 100percent.



10/36

EDUCATION

The Beyond the Talk: Improving Race Relations study foundthat eliminating disparities in school performance is critical toensuring a high quality of life for all Jacksonville citizens. The

following year, the Public Education Reform study called theachievement gap the primary challenge facing the publiceducation system, and launched a further study on how toeliminate the achievement gap.

In 2006, the Duval County Public Schools made eliminatingthe achievement gap part of the performance benchmarks ofthe Superintendent. Reading scores (measured by the FloridaComprehensive Achievement Test [FCAT], Sunshine StateStandards [SSS], and alternative assessments) are a keymeasure of this gap.

The percentage of all students who were reading at grade levelor above was:

2006-07 2007-08 DifferenceWhite 69% 71% + 2Black 41% 43% + 2Hispanic 53% 55% + 2Asian 69% 71% + 2Native American 65% 69% + 4

By grade level, the scores were as follows:

Percentage of public school students reading at grade level(FCAT SSS), 2007-08:

Grade White Black Hispanic Asian NativeAmerican

3 83% 55% 68% 82% 90%4 81% 53% 66% 78% 100%5 78% 55% 64% 81% 85%6 72% 45% 58% 77% 63%7 74% 51% 58% 75% 71%8 61% 33% 42% 59% 56%9 59% 25% 36% 60% 43%

10 50% 16% 29% 47% 40%


FCAT Reading Proficiency

Source: Florida Department of Education

In 2006-07, 28 percentage points separatedwhite and black student scores; in 2007-08, allscores rose, but the gap remained the same. In2007-08, the gap between white and Hispanicscores was 16 points, unchanged from 2006-07.

Reading At Grade Level, By Grade,2007-08

Source: Florida Department of EducationIn third grade, 28 points separated thepercentages of white and black students read-ing at grade level, and 15 points separatedwhite and Hispanic percentages; in 10th grade,the gap was 34 percentage points betweenwhite and black students and 21 betweenwhite and Hispanic students.


11/36

EDUCATION

College Continuation Rates

Source: Florida Department of Education

In 2005-06, eight percentage points separatedwhite and black student college continuationrates; in 2006-07, the gap had grown to 11percentage points. Hispanic and white studencollege continuation rates remained similarwith the gap closing from three to two points.

Graduating from high school is usually a prerequisite to goodemployment and to furthering ones education.

Graduation rates:

2005-06 2006-07 DifferenceWhite 66% 67% + 1%Black 52% 52% 0Hispanic 49% 55% + 6%Asian 71% 71% 0Native American 56% 41% - 15%

College continuation rates:

After graduating from high school, many students continue onto college. High-paying jobs generally require educationbeyond high school. A higher percentage of white, Asian, andHispanic graduating students in Duval County public schoolsare choosing to continue their education, but the rate of col-lege continuation among black graduates decreased slightly,increasing the gap in college continuation rates.

2005-06 2006-07 DifferenceWhite 75% 77% + 2%Black 67% 66% - 1%

Hispanic 72% 75% + 3%Asian 83% 89% + 6%

High School Graduation Rates

Source: Duval County Public Schools

In 2005-06, 14 percentage points separatedwhite and black student graduation rates; in2006-07, the gap increased to 15 percentagepoints. The gap between white and Hispanicgraduation rates decreased from 17 to 12points.



12/36

EDUCATION


Educational attainment measures the percentage of adults 25years of age or older who have high school diplomas (or equiv-alents) and those who have college degrees. While growth in

both areas have occurred, the gap in educational attainmentremains high and is increasing.

Educational Attainment: High School Diplomas

White Black Hispanic Asian2000 86.1% 74.1% 79.0% 81.2%2007 90.2% 82.2% 79.7% 86.2%

Educational Attainment: Bachelors Degree or Higher

White Black Hispanic Asian2000 24.6% 13.1% 21.8% 34.4%2007 28.3% 15.3% 25.4% 40.6%

The 2008 survey asked about community perceptions of theimpact of racial discrimination on disparities in education out-comes. The question asked: Do you think racial discriminationagainst (blacks, Hispanics) is a major factor, a minor factor, ornot a factor in (blacks, Hispanics) education levels? If a minorfactor, is that closer to a major or a non-factor?

The structure of the question allowed for two ways to examinethe survey results. The first, as shown in the graph, combinesthe answers of major factor and minor factor - closer to amajor factor below:

Discrimination Perceived as Factor in Education Levels:Against Blacks Against Hispanics


The response rate of those who said discrimination was a

major factor are below:

Discrimination Perceived as Major Factor in EducationLevels:

Against Blacks Against HispanicsWhite 19% 16%Black 56% 42%Hispanic 26% 28%

Discrimination Perceived As Factor inEducation Levels


Educational Attainment, 2007

Source: American Community Survey, U.S. Census

In 2007, 13 points separated the college degreeattainment rates of white and black adults, upfrom 11.5 in 2000. The gap between white andHispanic college attainment rates remainedunchanged, at three points.


13/36

EDUCATION

White Black Hispanic2004 2008 2004 2008 2004 2008

Better 2% 4% 0% 3% N/A 3% As good 72% 72% 32% 34% N/A 60%Not as good 22% 16% 64% 53% N/A 27%No chance N/A 1% N/A 6% N/A 1%Dont know 4% 7% 4% 3% N/A 10%

Chance for Good Education:Black Children


Chance for Good Education:Hispanic Children



The addition of Hispanic survey respondents in 2008 providedmore insight into how different groups viewed the educationalopportunities available to black children. The survey asked asimilar question about the opportunities available for Hispanicchildren. The results are below:

In general, do you think that Hispanic children have as good achance as white children in Jacksonville to get a good education, or

dont you think they have as good a chance?

White Black HispanicBetter 3% 3% 5%As good 70% 32% 60%Not as good 13% 42% 29%No chance 1% 5% 2%Dont know 13% 18% 4%

The 2004 and 2008 surveys asked the question:

In general, do you think that black children have as good a chance

as white children in Jacksonville to get a good education, or dontyou think they have as good a chance?

The responses in 2004 and 2008 were nearly identical:


14/36

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

In 2004, the American Community Survey, a program of theU.S. Census, began calculating unemployment rates by race atthe county level. Unemployment rates rose for whites in the

labor force in 2007, while the unemployment rate for blackworkers decreased, which meant that the gap in unemploy-ment rates between white and black workers declined.

Unemployment Rates:2006 2007 Difference

White 4.5% 5.3% + 0.8Black 9.6% 9.2% - 0.4Hispanic 3.9% 6.5% + 2.6

Median family income, as measured by the AmericanCommunity Survey and adjusted for inflation, declined in2007, and the gap closed slightly:

Median Family Income:2006 2007 Difference

White $69,293 $67,737 - $1,556Black $42,127 $39,328 - $2,799Hispanic $48,872 $47,942 - $ 930

In 2007, black median family income was 58.1 percent ofwhite median family income, down from 60.8 percent in2006, while Hispanic median family income grew to 70.8

percent of white (non-Hispanic) family income.

The official United States poverty line in 2007 was $21,027 fora family of four. Children in families with a household incomeof less than 130 percent of the poverty line ($27,335) areeligible for the free lunch program at school, and children infamilies with a household income of less than 185 percent ofthe poverty line ($38,900) are eligible for reduced-price lunch-es. Black schoolchildren in Duval County participate in thisprogram at more than twice the rate of white schoolchildren,suggesting much higher rates of children in low-income house-holds.

Free and reduced-price lunch participation rates:

2005-06 2006-07 DifferenceWhite 23% 24% + 1%Black 61% 63% + 2%Hispanic 49% 53% + 4%Asian 26% 27% + 1%Native American 34% 33% - 1%


Unemployment Rates

Children in Low Income Households



In 2006, 5.1 percentage points separated whiteand black unemployment rates; in 2007, thegap was 3.9 percentage points. The gapbetween white and Hispanic unemploymentrates doubled, from 0.6 to 1.2 points.

In 2005-06, 61 percent of black studentsreceived free or reduced-price lunchescompared to 23 percent of white students. In2006-07, the gap between black and whitestudents increased by one point, as the ratesinched upward to 63 and 24 percent, respec-tively. Hispanic students saw the largestincrease in participation rates, rising four pointsfrom 49 to 53 percent.


15/36



Have Enough Money for Basic Needs

Family Poverty Rates



Discrimination Perceived As Factor inIncome Levels



During the past year, have you always had enough money to:

Buy clothing your family needed?

Buy food your family needed?

White Black2004 2008 2004 2008

Clothing (yes) 82% 83% 68% 56%Food (yes) 92% 87% 80% 67%

In 2008, Hispanic respondents were included in the survey.74 percent of Hispanic respondents said they had enoughmoney to buy needed clothing, and 77 percent to buy food.

The American Community Survey measures the percentage offamilies who are living below the poverty level ($21,027 for afamily of four in 2007). Family poverty rates were:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 5.0% 4.0% - 1.0Black 21.2% 17.9% - 3.3Hispanic - 11.1%Asian - 6.6%

In 2006, 16 percentage points separated black and whitefamily poverty rates. In 2007, both family poverty ratesdeclined, and the gap decreased to 14 points. Data forHispanic and Asian family poverty rates were not availablebefore 2007.

The 2008 survey asked: Do you think racial discriminationagainst (blacks, Hispanics) is a major factor, a minor factor, ornot a factor in (blacks, Hispanics) income levels? If a minorfactor, is that closer to a major or a non-factor?

Discrimination Perceived as Factor in Income Levels:



16/36


City Contracts

50 Fastest Growing Businesses

Source: The Business Journal of Jacksonville

In 2008, 94 percent of the 50 fastest growingprivate businesses in Jacksonville had whiteleadership, unchanged from 2007, and againno black-led or Hispanic-led businesses madethe list.

Source: City of JacksonvilleIn the third year of the Jacksonville Small &Emerging Businesses Program, city contracts tominority-owned businesses decreased from10.5 to 8.2 percent.

Seventy-eight percent of Jacksonville businesses are owned bywhite business people, according to an analysis performed byAnderson & Associates, PA, for the City of Jacksonville.

Black-owned businesses make up about 11 percent of thetotal, with Hispanic businesses at 4 percent, with Asian-American businesses at 3 percent, and Native American busi-nesses at 4 percent.

Each year, The Business Journal of Jacksonville identifies thefastest-growing private companies in Jacksonville. Again in2008, none of the businesses who made the list were headedby black leadership.

In 2004, the City of Jacksonville began a new JacksonvilleSmall & Emerging Businesses program (JSEB) as a replacement

for its previous Minority Business Enterprise and Equal BusinessOpportunity programs. By percentage of total dollar value($179,028,320), the contracts awarded through the programwent to the following certified JSEBs (broken out by race andethnicity only, and not by gender):

2005-06 2006-07 DifferenceWhite 89.5% 91.7% + 2.2%Black 8.9% 6.5% - 2.4%Hispanic 1.4% 1.3% - 0.1%Asian 0.2% 0.0% - 0.2%Native American 0.0% 0.4% + 0.4%



17/36




In general, do you think that black people have as good a chance as

white people in Jacksonville to get any kind of job for which they arequalified, or dont you think they have as good a chance?

The responses in 2008 were lower among white respondents andhigher among black respondents than in 2004, and the gap in percep-tions decreased from 48 to 42 points:


Better 8% 8% 1% 2% N/A 5% As good 71% 68% 23% 26% N/A 50%Not as good 17% 17% 74% 61% N/A 31%No chance N/A 1% N/A 8% N/A 4%Dont know 4% 6% 2% 3% N/A 11%

Chance for Good Job:Black Applicants


Chance for Good Job:Hispanic Applicants


Treated Less Fairly at Work


The 2008 survey also asked:

In general, do you think that Hispanic people have as good a chance aswhite people in Jacksonville to get any kind of job for which they are

qualified, or dont you think they have as good a chance?


In 2004, 70 percent of black respondents said that blacks in Jacksonville were treated less fairly at work; 9 percent of whiterespondents agreed. In 2008, the responses were higher, at 82 and 34

percent respectively. In addition, 31 percent of white respondents, 68percent of black respondents, and 53 percent of Hispanic respondentssaid that Hispanic workers were treated less fairly on the job.

In addition, 51 percent of black respondents ages 18-64 said they hadpersonally experienced racism while at work in the past year, as did 23percent of Hispanic respondents.


18/36

NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING


Children in Desegregated Schools


In 2007-08, 52 percent of public schoochildren attended a desegregated school. In2008-09, that figure grew to 58 percent.

While current residential segregation data are not availablebetween census years, another method exists to measureprogress towards desegregating neighborhoods. Public

elementary school children generally attend neighborhoodschools, though some attend magnet programs designed toprovide racial balance in the schools. The racial make-up ofindividual schools provides a rough proxy measurement of theracial diversity of the neighborhoods the schools serve.

In 1990, the NAACP and Duval County Public Schools agreedon a definition of desegregated school as one in which thestudent body was at least 20 percent black and at least 45percent white. While the schools were declared unitary in1999, ending court-ordered desegregation activities, thedefinition is a useful tool for understanding neighborhood seg-regation in Jacksonville.

In 2008-09, 53 percent of elementary school students, 69percent of middle school students, and 66 percent of highschool students attended schools meeting DCPS diversity goalsdescribed above.

Source: 2000 U.S. Census

In 2000, the U.S. Census identified asignificant proportion of Jacksonvilleneighborhoods that were racially iden-

tifiable, with 75 to 100 percent of thepopulation belonging to one racialgroup. The data showed that over halfthe population would have to move inorder to make each neighborhoodracially balanced in ways that reflectedthe overall county population.

Residential Living Patterns by Race


19/36



Purchasing a home is often the largest investment a person willmake. In the Jacksonville metropolitan area, applications forconventional home mortgage loans are denied twice as often for

black applicants than they are for white applicants. This pattern isconsistent within household income categories, based on amedian family income of $59,700 in 2007.

Conventional mortgage denial rates in 2007 were:

White Black HispanicVery low income 31.9% 43.7% 34.4%(under $29,850)

Low income 19.0% 34.5% 26.1%($29,850-$47,163)

Middle income 17.5% 33.7% 25.7%($47,164-71,043)

High income 12.5% 31.4% 24.7%(over $71,043)

Mortgage Denial Rates, 2007

Growth/Decline of Home Purchase Loans

Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

In 2007, the difference by race betweenconventional mortgage denial rates, withinincome categories, decreased among lowincome and very low income applicants butincreased slightly among middle and highincome applicants.

In 2007, new home purchases declined sharplyamong all groups.

In 2000, 73 percent of white households in Jacksonville ownedtheir own homes, compared to 51 percent of black householdsand 53 percent of Hispanic households. In 2007, the AmericanCommunity Survey estimates a decline in homeownership rates,with 72.5 percent of white (non-Hispanic) households owningtheir own homes, compared to 48.1 percent of black households.Median home value for white homeowners was $197,200, com-pared to $138,900 for black homeowners. (They did not reportan estimate for Hispanic households in 2007.)

Home loans decreased sharply in 2007. While the data do notprovide sufficient information to calculate updated homeowner-ship rates, they do suggest some information about changes in

homeownership in the area. Data are not currently available onforeclosure rates, by race.

Number of home purchase loans:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 27,938 15,400 - 44.9%Black 5,558 2,433 - 56.2%Hispanic 2,873 1,242 - 56.8%


20/36




In general, do you think that black people have as good a

chance as white people in Jacksonville to get any housing theycan afford, or dont you think they have as good a chance?

In response to this question, in 2004 the gap between whiteand black respondents who thought the chances were at leastas good was 43 points; twice as many (86 percent) whiterespondents perceived the situation as fair as did black respon-dents (43 percent.) In 2008, the gap was 75 percent to 41 per-cent -- both sets of perceptions declined.

Chance for Housing:Black Applicants


Chance for Housing:Hispanic Applicants



In general, do you think that Hispanic people have as good achance as white people in Jacksonville to get any housing theycan afford, or dont you think they have as good a chance?


In 2008, 18 percent of black respondents said they had per-sonally experienced racism while renting or buying housing inthe past year, as did 9 percent of Hispanic respondents.


Better 4% 4% 0% 4% N/A 3%As good 82% 71% 43% 37% N/A 56%Not as good 9% 14% 52% 48% N/A 29%No chance N/A 1% N/A 5% N/A 2%Dont know 5% 10% 5% 7% N/A 12%


21/36



Households Paying 30 Percent or Moreof Monthly Income for Housing


In surveys, Jacksonville residents report different feelings ofsafety about the neighborhoods they live in. In response to thequestion, Do you feel safe walking alone in your neighborhood

at night?

Yes responses (feeling safe):

2007 2008 DifferenceWhite 63% 53% 10%Black 36% 36% 0

Data were not available for Hispanic respondents.

Perceptions of Neighborhood Safety


In 2007, the gap between those who felt safewalking around their neighborhoods at nighthad grown to 27 percentage points; in 2008,the gap had decreased to 17 points, as whitefeelings of safety declined.

Housing is generally the most significant cost in the householdbudget. In general, housing is considered to be affordableif it costs less than 30 percent of the total monthly household

income.

In 2007, 27 percent of white homeowners in Duval Countypaid more than the affordable benchmark for housing,compared to 40 percent of black homeowners.

Among those renting their housing, 40 percent of whitehouseholds paid more than 30 percent of their monthlyincome for housing, compared to 53 percent of black renters.

Data were not available for Hispanic homeowners or renters.


22/36

HEALTH

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Duval County.Between 1996 and 2005, the disparity in age-adjusted heartdisease death rates between white and black residents shrunk

from 95 points to 20 points, while overall death rates due toheart disease have been falling. In 2007, heart disease deathrates rose among black and Hispanics, increasing the disparity.

Diseases occur more frequently at different ages. For example,chronic diseases, including many cancers, occur morefrequently among older people. As the U.S. population ages,including Jacksonvilles, higher crude death rates for thesediseases will occur. This increase in the number of olderresidents can be accounted for by calculating age-adjustedrates, which removes the age factor from the rate of chronicdisease.

Age-adjusted heart death rates per 100,000 residents:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 182.3 176.4 - 5.9Black 207.7 239.7 + 32.0Hispanic 125.7 143.6 + 17.9

However, the racial gap in deaths related to stroke (the thirdleading cause of death in Duval County) increased from 21 to

34 points from 2006 to 2007, as white stroke deaths fell butblack stroke deaths rose.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Duval County.The disparity in overall cancer death rates had disappeared in2001. The gap once again closed in 2007.

Age-adjusted cancer death rates per 100,000 residents:

2006 2007 Difference

White 188.0 187.0 - 1.0Black 214.8 189.1 - 25.7Hispanic 97.0 106.9 + 9.9


Heart Disease Death Rate

Cancer Death Rate

Source: Florida Department of Health


In 2007, 63 points separated white and blackage-adjusted heart disease death rates, up from25 points in 2006. Hispanic heart diseasedeath rates are lower than those of whites, 57points lower in 2006 but only 33 points lowein 2007.

In 2007, two points separated white and blackage-adjusted cancer death rates, down from 27points in 2006. Hispanic stroke death rates aremuch lower than whites, 91 points lower in2006 and 80 points lower in 2007.


23/36

HEALTH

Infant Death Rate

Rate of New HIV Cases

Source: Duval County Health Department

In 2006, 62 points separated white and blackrates per 100,000 for new HIV cases; in 2007the gap rose to 69 points, as both white andblack rates increased.


In 2007, the gap between black and whiteinfant death rates increased from 5.5 to 6.4points as black and white infant death ratesdiverged. Hispanic infant mortality rates, onthe other hand, doubled in 2007 from 2006.

The infant mortality rate (the number of infants that die beforereaching one year of age per 1,000 infants born) is a sentinelindicator used to evaluate a population's overall health and

access to health care. For more information, see JCCIs 2008Infant Mortalitystudy at www.jcci.org.

Infant death rates per 1,000 infants born:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 7.2 6.7 - 0.5Black 12.7 13.1 - 0.4Hispanic 6.8 14.5 + 7.7

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is a diseasewhich may lead to serious health consequences. People whotest positive for HIV may or may not contract AcquiredImmunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, a debilitating andoften fatal disease.

New HIV cases per 100,000 population:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 14.3 16.1 + 1.8Black 75.9 85.1 + 9.2Other 47.6 78.1 + 30.5



24/36

HEALTH




white people in Jacksonville to get any health care they can afford, ordont you think they have as good a chance?

The responses in 2008 were lower among white respondents and high-er among black respondents than in 2004, and the gap in perceptionsdecreased from 49 to 30 points:


Better 5% 2% 0% 2% N/A 3% As good 76% 74% 27% 44% N/A 59%

Not as good 12% 12% 68% 41% N/A 26%No chance N/A 0% N/A 6% N/A 3%Dont know 6% 13% 5% 7% N/A 10%

Chance for Health Care:Black Patients


Chance for Health Care:Hispanic Patients


Treated Less Fairly in Healthcare



In general, do you think that Hispanic people have as good a chanceas white people in Jacksonville to get any health care they can afford,or dont you think they have as good a chance?

White Black HispanicBetter 1% 2% 3%As good 70% 38% 62%Not as good 10% 31% 27%

No chance 1% 6% 3%Dont know 18% 23% 5%

In 2004, 53 percent of black respondents said that blacks inJacksonville were treated less fairly in getting healthcare from doctorsand hospitals; 9 percent of white respondents agreed. In 2008, theresponses were higher, at 69 and 25 percent respectively. In addition,23 percent of white respondents, 56 percent of black respondents, and44 percent of Hispanic respondents said that Hispanic patients were treat-ed less fairly in getting healthcare from doctors and hospitals.


25/36

HEALTH


Have Enough Money for Health Care

Adults With No Health Insurance



Discrimination Perceived As Factor inLife Expectancy



During the past year, have you always had enough money to

pay for medical or health care?

White Black2004 2008 2004 2008

Yes 83% 83% 64% 62%

In 2008, 69 percent of Hispanic respondents said they hadenough money to pay for medical or health care.

The 2007 Florida County-level Behavioral Risk Factors surveyfound that 17.3 percent of black adults in Duval County couldnot see a doctor at least once in the past year due to cost.Neither could 20.5 percent of Hispanic adults nor 13.4 of non-Hispanic white adults.

Adults With No Health Insurance Coverage, 2007

White 10.0%Black 18.7%Hispanic 34.3%

The 2008 survey asked about community perceptions of theimpact of racial discrimination on life expectancy. Thequestion asked: Do you think racial discrimination against(blacks, Hispanics) is a major factor, a minor factor, or not a fac-tor in (blacks, Hispanics) life expectancy? If a minor factor, isthat closer to a major or a non-factor?

Discrimination Perceived as Factor in Life Expectancy:Against Blacks Against Hispanics



26/36

JUSTICE AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Inmate Admissions per 1,000Population for Misdemeanors

Source: Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

In 2007, while more white offenders wereadmitted for misdemeanors, the admission ratefor black offenders was more than double thatof the white rate.


Source: Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

In 2007, the rate for black felony admissionsdeclined from 65.5 to 54.4, while white felonyadmissions declined from 17.9 to 15.6, closingthe gap slightly, though black felony admissionsremain at 3 1/2 times the rate of white felonyadmissions.

Inmate Admissions per 1,000Population for Felonies

The Beyond the Talk: Improving Race Relations study foundthat the disproportionate number of blacks who areincarcerated in Jacksonville contributes to the incidence of

single-parent families, economic disparities, disproportionatedisenfranchisement, and the perception that racial minoritiesshould distrust the criminal-justice system.

In 2007, total inmate admissions, compared to the generalcommunity population, were as follows:

Total population Inmate admissionsWhite 59.4% 46.7%Black 29.1% 52.4%Other 11.5% 1.0%

The rates of inmate admissions differed by type of offense,misdemeanors vs. felony offenses. Inmate admissions arerecorded at the point of arrest.

Total inmate admissions, 2007:

White BlackMisdemeanor 16,417 15,688Felony 7,126 10,586

Inmate admissions per 1,000 population, 2007:

White BlackMisdemeanor 36.0 80.6Felony 15.6 54.4

Information on Hispanic admissions are beginning to becollected and should become available in later reports.


27/36


Percent of Youth Population Referred toDepartment of Juvenile Justice

Source: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

In 2007, the Florida Office of Vital Statistics recorded 141homicides, up from 122 in 2006. A homicide is one personkilling another person, no matter the reason. A homicide is

counted as a murder when the killing is determined to becriminal. Homicides also include justifiable, excusable oraccidental killings, which are not included in the murder rate.

Total homicides:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 31 40 + 9Black 90 98 + 8Hispanic 9 13 + 4

Homicide rate per 100,000 people:

2006 2007 DifferenceWhite 5.2 6.8 + 1.6Black 30.9 32.2 + 1.3Hispanic 16.5 19.2 + 2.7

In 2006-07 4,163 youths ages 10-17 (both male and female)were referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Thisrepresents about four percent of the total youth population.By race and ethnicity, the percentage of youth ages 10-17referred to Juvenile Justice were as follows.

Referrals to Department of Juvenile Justice:

2005-06 2006-07 DifferenceWhite 2.9% 2.8% - 0.1Black 7.7% 6.8% - 0.9Hispanic 2.3% 0.9% - 1.4


Homicide Rates per 100,000 Population

Source: Florida Office of Vital Statistics

In 2006-07, four percentage points separatedthe rates at which black and white youths werereferred to the Department of Juvenile Justicedown from 4.8 in 2005-06. Hispanic youthswere referred at much lower rates, down toless than one percent of youth in 2006-07 from2.3 percent in 2005-06.


28/36



In 2004, 88 percent of black respondents said that blacks inJacksonville were treated less fairly in dealing with the police;39 percent of white respondents agreed. In 2008, the same

percentage (88 percent) of black respondents felt that blackpeople were treated less fairly by the police, and 55 percent ofwhite respondents agreed. In addition, 47 percent of whiterespondents, 73 percent of black respondents, and 68 percentof Hispanic respondents said that Hispanic people were treatedless fairly in dealing with the police.

In 2004 and 2008, surveys asked: In some areas, it has beenreported that police officers stop motorists of certain racial orethnic groups because the officers believe that these groups aremore likely than others to commit certain types of crimes. Do you believe that this practice, known as racial profiling iswidespread or not in Jacksonville?

Yes responses (Racial Profiling Perceived AsWidespread):

2004 2008 Difference

White 37% 54% + 17Black 86% 91% + 5Hispanic N/A 67% N/A

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office states that they do not engagein racial profiling.

The survey also asked: Have you ever felt that you werestopped by the police just because of your race or ethnicity?

Yes answers 2004 2008 DifferenceWhite 5% 7% + 2Black 26% 36% + 10Hispanic N/A 15% N/A

Treated Less Fairly by the Police


Perceptions of Racial Profiling

Sources: Jacksonville University, 2004; AmericanPublic Dialogue, Nov. 2008


29/36



Discrimination PerceivedAs Factor in Prison Rates




white people in Jacksonville to get fair treatment by the courts, or dontyou think they have as good a chance?

The 2008 responses were lower among white respondents and higheramong black respondents than in 2004, and the gap in perceptionsdecreased from 51 to 44 points:


Better 1% 1% 0% 1% N/A 2% As good 67% 59% 17% 15% N/A 46%

Not as good 19% 19% 75% 57% N/A 30%No chance N/A 1% N/A 14% N/A 5%Dont know 13% 19% 8% 13% N/A 19%

Chance for Fair Treatment byCourts: Black Residents


Chance for Fair Treatment byCourts: Hispanic Residents


The 2008 survey also asked: In general, do you think that Hispanicpeople have as good a chance as white people in Jacksonville to get fairtreatment by the courts, or dont you think they have as good a chance?


The 2008 survey asked about community perceptions of the impact ofracial discrimination on prison rates. The question asked: Do you thinkracial discrimination against (blacks, Hispanics) is a major factor, aminor factor, or not a factor in (blacks, Hispanics) prison rates? If a

minor factor, is that closer to a major or a non-factor?

Discrimination Perceived as Factor in Prison Rates:



30/36

POLITICS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Engagement in the political process generally begins withregistering to vote. Going back to 1994, 64 percent of thewhite population over 18 was registered to vote, compared to

62 percent of the black population over 18. In 2004, blackvoter registration rates reached 81 percent of the adult blackpopulation, but have declined annually since then.

Because reliable population estimates between Census yearsby age for Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populationsare not available, rates could not be calculated.

Voter registration rates in 2008:

Registered Percent Difference (2007)White 337,241 81% - 4Black 147,704 76% - 3Hispanic 17,107 40% 0 Asian 12,294 N/ANative Am. 1,858 N/A

Registering to vote is one step. Exercising the right to vote isthe next step. Voter turnout rates in presidential electionyears, such as 2008, or state/congressional election years, suchas 2006, are traditionally higher than in local election years,such as 2007.

Voter turnout rates:

2007 2008 DifferenceWhite 22% 78% + 56%Black 17% 77% + 60%Hispanic 7% 68% + 61%

Other 9% 70% + 61%


Voter Registration

Voter Turnout

Source: Florida Division of Elections

Source: Duval County Supervisor of Elections

In 2008, white voter registration rates exceed-ed black voter registration rates by five points.

In 2008, the gap between white voter turnout(at 78 percent) and black voter turnout (at 77percent) had closed to one point; the gapbetween white and Hispanic voter turnout haddecreased to ten points.


31/36


Minority-access districts have political boundaries drawn so that theracial demographics positively influence the chance that a minoritycandidate will win election. This process tends to ensure that the

proportions of elected officials, by race, reflect the overall communitydemographics, at least in terms of black and white residents. In 2008,71 percent of elected officials were white, 29 percent black, and theproportions remain unchanged since 2002.

Elected Officials by Race, 2008:

White Black HispanicState legislators 64% 36% 0%City Council 68% 32% 0%School Board 71% 29% 0%Other officials 100% 0% 0%

"Other officials" refers to the five county-wide elected officials, Mayor,Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Tax Collector.

Citizen engagement relies on the perception that elected officials areaccessible to their constituents. In 2004 and 2008, the survey askedthe question: In general, do you think that black people, comparedwith white people, have a better chance, as good a chance, not as gooda chance, or no chance at all to get access to elected officials?

White Black Hispanic

2004 2008 2004 2008 2004 2008Better 5% 4% 0% 2% N/A 5% As good 76% 65% 27% 34% N/A 53%Not as good 12% 12% 68% 41% N/A 22%No chance N/A 2% N/A 9% N/A 4%Dont know 7% 18% 5% 14% N/A 17%

The 2008 survey also asked about the perception of access forHispanic people in Jacksonville: In general, do you think that Hispanicpeople, compared with white people, have a better chance, as good achance, not as good a chance, or no chance at all to get access toelected officials?

White Black HispanicBetter 2% 1% 5% As good 62% 30% 51%Not as good 12% 31% 24%No chance 2% 9% 6%Dont know 22% 29% 15%


Black Access to Elected Officials


In 2004, 27 percent of black respondentsthought that black residents had as good orbetter access to elected officials as whitescompared to 81 percent of whites. In2008, black perceptions of access to publicofficials improved to 36 percent, whilewhite perceptions decreased to 69percent, decreasing the gap in perceptionsfrom 54 to 33 points.

Hispanic Access to Elected Officials



32/36



The 2000 presidential election raised concerns nationally about voteraccess and trust in the election system. These issues were magnifiedin Florida, which proved to be the deciding factor in determining the

winner, with a margin of victory of 537 votes. In that election, in Jacksonville, 26,909 ballots were declared invalid. The Beyond theTalk study found a consistent pattern in the percent of the ballotsdisqualified (up to 31 percent in one precinct) and the race of thosecasting votes. (See www.jcci.org for more information.)

The 2004 election was seen as an opportunity to restore trust in theelection process. For the initial Race Relations Progress Report, Jacksonville University asked respondents if they had encountereddifficulty in voting in the 2004 election. Only three percent of whiterespondents and four percent of black respondents said that they had.In 2008, for this report, American Public Dialogue asked the samequestion. In this election, two percent of white respondents, threepercent of black respondents, and three percent of Hispanicrespondents said they had personally encountered difficulty.

While respondents did not report personal difficulties with voting, boththe 2004 and 2008 surveys asked if they trusted the voting process.Specifically, the surveys asked:

How confident are you that the election process in Jacksonville

produces a fair outcome?


Very confident 53% 64% 12% 30% N/A 51%Somewhat 30% 27% 35% 47% N/A 33%Not very N/A 4% N/A 13% N/A 6%Not at all 11% 3% 48% 6% N/A 3%Dont know 6% 3% 5% 4% N/A 8%

In 2004, 83 percent of white respondents were very or somewhatconfident in the fairness of the election process, compared to 47

percent of black respondents. In 2008, 91 percent of whiterespondents, 77 percent of black respondents, and 84 percent ofHispanic respondents had confidence in the process.

Difficulty Voting


Confidence in Election Process

Source: Jacksonville University, 2004; American

Public Dialogue, Nov. 2008


33/36



One key measure of civic engagement is the perception ofones ability to influence government. As a citizen ofJacksonville, how would you describe your ability to influence

local government decision making? Would you say that youhave great influence, moderate influence, a little influence or noinfluence at all?

White Black HispanicGreat 4% 10% 9%Moderate 31% 31% 28%Little 42% 36% 42%None 21% 19% 16%Dont know 4% 4% 7%

Due to rounding, totals may not add up to 100 percent.

Significant differences remain among Jacksonville residents inthe perceptions of the role government should play in address-ing racial disparities.

How much of a role, if any, do you think the government shouldhave in trying to improve the social and economic position ofblacks in this country a major role, a minor role, or no role atall?

White Black Hispanic

Major 24% 72% 47%Minor 41% 20% 27%No Role 28% 5% 18%Dont know 7% 4% 9%

In 2004, 25 percent of white respondents and 78 percent ofblack respondents said that government should play a majorrole in improving the social and economic position of blackresidents.

How much of a role, if any do you think the government shouldhave in trying to improve the social and economic position of

Hispanics in this country a major, a minor role, or no role at all?

White Black HispanicMajor 23% 65% 48%Minor 40% 21% 28%No Role 29% 5% 17%Dont know 7% 10% 8%

Influencing Local Government

Role of Government inImproving Position of Blacks

Role of Government inImproving Position of Hispanics





34/36


35/36

"[JCCI] has had a significant impact on the city by focusingattention and actions on key community issues. Moreover,there is an increasing trend in the development and use of

local indicators by cities and communities worldwide." United Nations

In my judgment this is the preeminent nonpartisan civicorganization in the country.

Suzanne Morse, author, Smart Communities

Community Action that Makes a Difference:

The JCCI Model for Community Change

.

We offer a process for community improvement and civic engagement, developed at JCCI overthe past 34 years, that helps citizens understand real, lasting community change is built around

knowing where you are, where you want to be and whether your efforts are making adifference. We have replicated our model in cities around the world and been named a BestPractice by the United Nations. Our process has been consistently successful in bringingcitizens and governments together in understanding community trends, developing collabora-tive strategies, and implementing sustainable solutions. Our pioneering work in communityindicators makes us the industry leader.

Our clients benefit from our knowledge and experience. The premier professional serviceswe offer:

Community engagement techniques, including how to develop a neutral convenerorganization

Impartial research, which can include a visioning process to identify significantcommunity issues based on the individual needs and circumstances of each client

Community indicator programs, a process to develop of a set of communityindicators which can be used to effect sustainable change (measure progress,identify priorities for action and assess results)

Facilitation services available to clients in Northeast Florida, and includeconsensus building techniques

Our highly-skilled and competent experts work on these projects locally, nationally andglobally. Professional expertise, passion and experience make us a qualified partner forcommunities around the world. Outsourcing work to us can produce amazing results for yourcommunitys return on investment.

The choices above are only a brief overview and if you are looking for a new partner for yourcommunity, contact Ben Warner, Deputy Director at [email protected] or (904) 396-3052.Wherever you are, JCCI is right for you.


36/36

JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITYCOUNCIL INC.2434 ATLANTIC BOULEVARD

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32207

PHONE: 904-396-3052FAX: 904-398-1469

WWW.JCCI.ORG

The 2008 Race Relations Progress Report is funded by:

08 Race Relations Report

Documents

Transcript of 08 Race Relations Report