FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Latino views differ depending on whether a person is an immigrant or was born in the Unites States, researchers found.
Political scientist Rafael Jimeno of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, said the findings used data from the Blair-Rockefeller Poll, which asked a series of questions related to whether Latinos see themselves having commonality with African-Americans. Responses revealed clear differences between native-born and foreign-born Latinos, Jimeno said.
"A close analysis of the responses given by Latinos reveals that a significant division exists between the native born and the foreign born, especially when it comes to policy preferences and perceptions of other groups in American society," Jimeno said in a statement.
For example, when asked the question, "Does what happens to blacks have something to do with what happens in your life?" 63.1 percent of foreign-born Latinos responded none or little, while 36.9 percent chose some or a lot.
However, the responses were reversed with native-born Latinos, with 39.5 percent responding none or little and 63.6 percent some or a lot.
"Over the years, these negative predispositions are likely to recede as the foreign born learn about civil rights struggles, for example, both past and present," Jimeno said.
The poll, which involved 3,400 respondents, is a joint project of the university's Diane D. Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas System.
The full report is available at http://www.blairrockefellerpoll.com.
