• Most respondents appear to be quite tolerant. For example, 87 percent of respondents rejected the idea that neighborhoods should have the right to exclude persons on the basis of their ethnicity or beliefs.

• A majority of those polled reported that they had not experienced racial or ethnic discrimination in the previous year; however, 46 percent of Blacks, 35 percent of Hispanics, and 21 percent of Asians reported at least one incident of discrimination.

• A majority (82 percent) of survey participants indicated satisfaction with City of Austin services, with relatively little difference among various ethnic groups.

• Fifty-five percent of respondents agreed with the statement that the City of Austin provides equal treatment to various ethnic groups, with the notable exception of Blacks, of whom 62 percent disagreed.

• Minority leaders feel that progressive Whites have abandoned civil rights efforts in favor of environmental protection.

• Minority leaders argue that current economic development policies neglect the needs of the Black and Hispanic communities. In their opinions, the Black and Hispanic communities are forced to compete with each other for economic development funds.

• A majority of survey respondents indicated general satisfaction with the Austin Police Department (A.P.D.). However, more than two-thirds of the respondents believe that the A.P.D. does not treat all ethnic groups equally.

• The overwhelming majority of respondents, nearly 90 percent of all ethnic groups, favor the creation of a citizens’ review board to monitor the Austin Police Department.

The report’s research was conducted over the 1999-2000 academic year under the direction of Professor Richard Schott, and was funded by the LBJ Foundation, the LBJ School, and the City of Austin. The report makes several recommendations, including the establishment of a citizens’ review board over the A.P.D., publicizing the work of the Austin Human Rights Commission and the city’s anti-discrimination ordinances, and increasing involvement of the public and private sectors, educational institutions, and community groups in efforts directed towards racial reconciliation.

Copies of the report are available at no charge from the Communications Office of the LBJ School at 471-4218. A copy of the report is available at the circulation desk in the Wasserman Public Affairs Library at the LBJ School. Please ask for general reserve reading #57. Further inquiries can be directed to Professor Dick Schott at (512) 471-8938.

September 6, 2000