Support for affirmative action is at a record-low in America, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
The findings were split: Only 45% of those surveyed said these programs designed to counteract discrimination against minorities are still needed. But another 45% said affirmative action should be stopped, arguing it goes too far and discriminates against whites. Conducted between May 30 and June 2, the poll has 3-point overall margin of error.
Breaking down the results further, there’s a somewhat expected divide across racial lines. Nearly six out of 10 whites oppose affirmative action. On the flip side, eight out of 10 African-Americans, and six out of 10 Hispanics are behind it.
Out of the respondents who identified themselves as a Democrat, 67% said the country still needs affirmative action. Only 22% of Republicans and 39% of independents say it should be continued.
Support has been slowly declining over the past 20 years. In 1991, 61% of Americans supported it.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the constitutionality of affirmative action once again soon, weighing in on the role of racial preferences in the admissions process at the University Of Texas.
Sarah Muller