Education Level, Occupational Classification, and Perceptions of Differences for Blacks in the United States

Abstract

A random sample of 1,276 U.S. adults were surveyed about their perceptions of differences for Blacks in the United States based on discrimination, ability to learn, opportunities for education, and willpower. Those with little education and extensive education were more aware of discrimination for Blacks. Higher levels of education as well as professional and managerial work increased awareness that Blacks have the same ability to learn as Whites and that Blacks lack equitable opportunities for an education. Those with less education and those employed in technical and manual labor were the most likely to say Blacks lacked willpower.

Enhancing the therapeutic alliance with African American clients: Using a critical race theoretical approach to navigate conversations about racism

“…Counselors using this framework must also recognize that racism is a reality for many clients and thus consider the contexts or circumstances in which acts of racism may occur like seeking employment, homeownership, and educational attainment (Burns & Garcia, 2017; Henricks, 2015). A counselor can establish trust by highlighting the importance of race and the potential weight it has on all relationships, by first acknowledging their race and agency compared to the client.…”