Many Americans feel speaking about race draws more criticism than encouragement

Most say they see challenges in talking about race today. Many — including most Black and White Americans — worry that speaking their minds on race draws criticism, not encouragement.

But there are different reasons why Americans think it draws criticism. For some it’s that they need to be careful not to offend; for others, it’s that they feel others are too easily offended.

These ideas show splits by race, partisanship and age. 

Black people, Democrats and younger Americans feel when people talk about issues of race they need to be more careful with what they say to avoid offending others. 

White people, Republicans and independents and those ages 30 and over think people are too easily offended.

Banning books on race

Even if many feel discussions about race may be challenging, there is overwhelmingly opposition to schools banning books on the topic. Big majorities of Americans, across racial and party lines, continue to oppose banning books that discuss race or depict slavery. 

Most believe teaching about the history of race in America helps students understand what others have gone through. And more Americans think teaching it makes people more racially tolerant today

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