Do Religion and Politics Predict Black Differences in Satisfaction with Life and the Criminal Justice System?

• In Event: Variation in Support for the Criminal Legal System

Abstract

Black Americans should be more likely than Whites, Asians and Latinos to report a wide range of negative experiences throughout life, including with policing, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Moreover, there might be different groups of Blacks with different opinions on these issues. Specifically, political orientation, religion and ideology were used to determine if there are differences between Blacks who self-identify as belonging to different groups within these areas. Additionally, the same nuanced analysis was conducted with all other races. The goal is to determine whether differences amongst Blacks in different political, religious and ideological groups also apply to Asians, Whites and Hispanics. If so, then these political orientations, religions and ideologies – and not race – are responsible for these differing opinions. If not, then race – and not political orientation, religion or ideology - is a predominant factor that is driving these differing opinions.

Author

• Natasha Moses, University of Cincinnati