Racial Wealth Gap II: SaverLife Members Are Taking Action
A follow up to our 2019 research
In 2019, Liberation in a Generation & SaverLife partnered to understand how our members of color are impacted by the racial wealth gap. We found that members clearly understand the structural causes of the racial wealth gap, from a lack of economic advancement opportunities, to a broken financial system that doesn’t work for families of color to a lack of representation in government.
In the summer of 2020, we followed up with members to see if and how attitudes and perceptions of the racial wealth gap had changed following the murder of George Floyd, nationwide demonstrations for racial justice, and a global pandemic that is disproportionately impacting the health and economic well-being of communities of color.
Key Takeaways From Our Follow Up Survey of SaverLife Members of Color
SaverLife members knew in 2019, and they know now, that the racial wealth gap is a structural issue that impacts them individually.
We didn’t see much of a change in responses to questions about the structural inequality inherent in the racial wealth gap. In other words, the events of 2020 have caused many Americans to acknowledge the reality of racial inequities that SaverLife members of color have always been aware.
The most striking difference in responses between November 2019 and July 2020 is that members are more likely to agree that the existence of this inequality is due to a legacy of unfairness within the economic system itself.
While SaverLife members of color were more likely to agree that every cause listed contributed to the existence of the racial wealth gap, the causes with the greatest increases from 2019-2020 include America’s history of slavery and colonization, incarceration rates due to racial profiling, and a lack of representation in government.
First and foremost, SaverLife members want their leaders to deliver basic needs.
Members’ support for candidates who make these issues a central part of their platform rose considerably.
Highest up on the list of voting priorities (and not that different from responses in 2019), was support for candidates who prioritize access to basic life necessities such as clean air, clean water, safe and affordable housing, and access to healthcare. In addition, SaverLife members continue to prioritize policies such as loan forgiveness and debt-free college.
Some more controversial policy proposals, such as universal basic income, were of a lesser priority, though still viewed as more important overall than in 2019.
SaverLife members are energized about voting:
+ more are engaged beyond just the presidential race
- fewer members feel their vote doesn’t matter
The number of SaverLife voters of color who believe their vote matters increased by 11%. Overall, 84% of members surveyed say they plan to vote this November, and the vast majority of those plan on voting in down-ballot races.
Those who believe their "vote doesn't matter" are less likely to show up on Election Day.
While the number of people who agree with the statement “My vote doesn’t matter” has fallen from 37% to 26%, over half of the 16% of people who don’t plan on voting said their vote doesn’t matter.
Survey Demographics
Responses are from December 2019 and August 2020
There were 453 total responses.