NCHE 2nd Heart Of American National Poll Finds a More Unified Nation That Seeks More Empathy From Our Leaders.

The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE), in partnership with BSG and the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), conducted a survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,306 American adults to delve into their experiences of division in our country, their aspirations for overcoming these divisions, and strategies for promoting racial healing.

Despite the palpable feelings of division, the desire for unity remains robust. A significant majority continue to take pride in their American identity, and optimism about finding lasting common ground has increased from 67% last year to 74%.

Dr. Gail Christopher, Executive Director at NCHE, notes, “Although a clear majority of respondents agree that America is more divided now than it ever has been, this perception may be what psychologists call the ‘illusory truth effect’. When a statement or a slogan is repeated over and over again, it becomes embraced as a truth, even if it’s false. The most monstrous dictators and tyrants in history have used this strategy to control populations. But it was not until the 1970s that psychologists analyzed the data and coined the term illusory truth effect. The new book, entitled Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There by Tali Sharot and Cass R. Sunstein is a wonderful twenty-first century exploration of how today’s media environment can help readers understand why repeated exposure to misinformation affects our ability to discern truth from falsehood. Repeated misinformation affects our brains and can cause us to habituate and begin to believe lies.”

Among the findings were that...

Americans believe our leaders are an important part of bridging divides and expressed a desire for transformative leadership that brings Americans together with a sense of shared purpose and encourages us to engage with each other personally, helping to deepen our understanding of the lived experiences of different races and cultures.

Teaching Children About the History of Race and Racism is Crucial to Bridging Divides, and the Benefits Far Outweigh any Potential Negative Effects

The survey found broad support for teaching about racism in schools, with 61%, including 62% of Whites, agreeing with the statement: “Educating children on the role racism has played in American history is essential to building an America that can overcome racism.” The statement also received support from 57% of people of color, 65% of Democrats, 62% of Independents, and 54% of Republicans. Only 39% of respondents, including 38% of Whites, believe that teaching about “American history and systemic racism can lead to feelings of guilt about the past among white children and perpetuate racial divisions when we should be focused on moving forward as Americans regardless of race.”

How Important is Education Our Children on the History of Race and Racism in America to Heal the Harm Racism Has Had on Our Country?

VERY IMPORTANT

SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT

TOTAL IMPORTANT

TOTAL

45%

33%

79%

DEMOCRATS

56%

28%

85%

REPUBLICANS

22%

39%

70%

WHITES

45%

33%

78%

POC

46%

33%

79%

Educating children on the role racism had played in American history is essential to building an America that can overcome racism.

61%

All Adults

65%

Democrats

54%

Republicans

Teaching about American history and systemic racism can lead to feelings of guilt about the past among white children and perpetuates racial divisons when we should be focused on moving forward as Americans regardless of race

39%

All Adults

35%

Democrats

46%

Republicans

Nearly 8 in 10 poll respondents believe that promoting workplace diversity and educating children on the history of race and racism in America are crucial first steps towards racial healing – a sentiment shared by almost three-quarters of Republicans.

Ensuring That Eligible Voters Can Vote, Education on Racism, And Promoting Diversity in the Workplace are the Most Important Ways to Heal America - GOP Attacks On CRT Have Not Sunk in Among Most Voters, Who Aren't Familiar With It

The survey found that over 70% of Republicans support measures to ensure voter access, educate children on racial history, and promote workplace diversity as key to healing the harms caused by racism. When asked about the importance of these and other specific actions:

How important are each of the following actions to heal the harm racism has had on our country?

Ensuring that all eligible voters are able to vote

Very Important

58%

Total

85%

89%

Democrats

80%

Republicans

Educating our children on the history of race and racism in America

Very Important

45%

Total

79%

85%

Democrats

70%

Republicans

Promoting diversity in the workplace, so people of all different races are working together

Very Important

41%

Total

78%

86%

Democrats

73%

Republicans

Celebrating other cultures through events like festivals, films screenings, and parades.

Very Important

33%

Total

73%

83%

Democrats

65%

Republicans

Enacting policies that reduce racial segregation in housing, so that Americans have neighbors of different races.

Very Important

35%

Total

72%

89%

Democrats

63%

Republicans

Improving representation of people of color in the media

Very Important

85%

Total

72%

85%

Democrats

59%

Republicans

Reparations payments to the descendants of enslaved Americans

Very Important

22%

Total

51%

61%

Democrats

44%

Republicans

Conservatives’ attempt to weaponize “critical race theory” (CRT) was a misfire. This academic and legal framework, which examines how race and racism intersect with politics, culture, and law, was widely targeted in recent years. However, the poll clearly shows these attacks did not resonate well with the electorate. nearly 3-in-5 respondents, including almost two-thirds of independents and more than 60% of Republicans, remain unfamiliar with critical race theory.

Only 2-in-5

are familiar with critical race theory including just 38% of Republicans, suggesting theat divisive rhetoric from the political Right is not sinking in among their partisans.

Americans Call For Unifying Leadership and Emphasize Relationship Building as Essential to Racial Healing, With Workplace Diversity and Education on Race and Racism Seen as Vital for a Stronger and More United Nation.

Regardless of their political leanings, Americans share a common yearning for leaders who prioritize unity and empathy and recognize the inherent worth of every individual. This collective desire for transformative leadership, which transcends political divides, signals a shared aspiration for a more compassionate and inclusive society. In fact, 83% of Americans agree: “I would support a leader who aims to unite everyone in our country, even if I disagree with some of their positions.” This shared value fosters a sense of unity and common purpose. Further, 79%, up two percent from last year, agreed with the statement: “I don’t care about my neighbors’ political views as long as they are good people.” And 86%, a one-point increase from last year, agreed, “We need to find new ways and new words to help Americans talk to each other, disagree respectfully, and develop care and empathy.”

83%

would support a leader who aims to unite everyone in our country, even when they disagree on some issues, including 40% of Americans who strongly agree with that statement.

8-in-10

(including more than 70% of Republicans)

believe promoting diversity in the workplace, so people of all difference races are working together and educating our children on the history of race and racism in American is an important first step for our nation to begin the process of racial healing.

86%

believe we need to find new ways and new words to help Americans talk to each other, disagree respectfully, and develop care and empathy

25% of Republicans strongly agree that “no matter the challenges we face, I am certain our country can overcome them and are optimistic about our country’s future.”

Regular interaction and collaborative efforts towards common goals foster a sense of connection. A year ago, 43% of respondents said they had a strong sense of community in their neighborhoods, which jumped to 51% this year. A stronger sense of community also increased from 31% to 43% regarding cities, 30% to 41% regarding states, and 36% to 44% regarding the country.

American’s sense of community in their neighborhoods, cities, states, and the country has strengthened.

How much sense of community do you feel in your…

WEAK

NEUTRAL

STRONG

Neighborhood '23

13%

44%

43%

Neighborhood '24

8%

42%

51%

City '23

14%

54%

31%

City '24

8%

48%

43%

State '23

14%

56%

30%

State '24

10%

49%

41%

Country '23

17%

47%

36%

Country '24

9%

47%

44%

Armed with these insights, NCHE is more committed than ever to developing outreach strategies and programs that foster a more unified, understanding, and proudly American society.

For any interview requests or press inquiries, please contact Mike Frisby ([email protected]).

Review the first Heart of America Annual Survery.

In 2023, the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) conducted a survey among 1,304 American adults to understand their experiences of disunity in our country, their visions for overcoming these divisions, and strategies for promoting racial healing.

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