Improving Relations Between Racial and Ethnic Groups
Improving relations between racial and ethnic groups ranks eleventh on the list of residents’ priorities for the Mid-Hudson region. However, increasing tolerance is an important priority for many residents living in the region. In fact, one-third of Mid-Hudson Valley residents rates it a 10 the highest score possible.
On average, improving relations between racial and ethnic groups receives a score of 7.2 among Mid-Hudson Valley residents the same average rating it received five years ago.
At the county level, tolerance for racial and ethnic diversity resonates most in Ulster County where it ranks ninth on residents’ list of priorities. The issue receives an average rating of 7.4 from county residents. This compares with the average score of 7.1 it received five years ago.
In Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam Counties, the issue of improving relations between racial and ethnic groups ranks eleventh out of nineteen priorities. In fact, in Dutchess County, it receives an average score of 7.4. This compares with the average rating of 7.2 it received among Dutchess County residents in 2002. Despite its comparable average rating, it dropped in rank as a county priority from ninth five years ago to eleventh now.
The largest decrease in average score for this issue at the county level was in Columbia County. Five years ago, improving relations between racial and ethnic groups received an average rating of 6.9 from Columbia County residents and ranked tenth. Now, its average score is 6.5 and it ranks thirteenth on the list of county residents’ priorities.
Improving relations between racial and ethnic groups ranks thirteenth among Sullivan County residents with an average score of 6.7. Greene County residents continue to rate this issue as a lower priority than residents in the other Mid-Hudson Valley counties. Not only does it receive an average rating of only 6.1 among Greene County residents but it ranks fifteenth on the list of priorities for county residents.
Tolerance for racial and ethnic diversity remains a higher priority for African American and Latino residents than for white residents. Improving relations between racial and ethnic groups as a priority receives an average score of 8.3 among African American residents reflecting a considerable increase from the average rating of 7.6 it received among these residents in 2002.
This compares with the average rating of 7.7 out of 10 this issue currently receives as a priority among Latino residents and the average score of 7.0 it receives among white residents. Although there has been little change in the average score for this priority since 2002 among Latino and white residents, its rank has dropped among Latino residents from sixth in importance in 2002 to ninth in 2007.
