Study finds black Americans aren't optimistic about future

A new report says black women and men don't have a very optimistic view of the nation and that politics and policy are having an impact on the emotional and physical health of black Americans.

The findings were presented Thursday and black women's groups say there is a growing concern about the ability and freedom to raise healthy children and families.

Respondents to the national survey of 1,000 people conducted in July show an overwhelming majority said the country is going in the wrong direction, don’t think it’s a good time to be black in America and worry about police violence against black men and women.

“It’s just now being documented because we live in a viral age where things can be documented and can’t be disputed,” said Heidi Williamson, Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda.

Respondents were also concerned with the high maternal mortality rate for black women and premature births in the black community.

“We want to make sure that all parents have social support, they have safe environments, safe communities and they have the resources that they need in order to have their children thrive,” Williamson said.

The goal of the research is to provide a resource for policy makers and others who want to understand the lives of black adults in American and the effects of policy decisions on their lives.

At Hairtime Beauty Salon, stylist Kathryn Hunter is worried about the future.

“All the rhetoric that our head man in office sends down, it scares the kids,” Williamson said.

Brenda Reeves sees educational and economic inequality.

“We're just not getting the same opportunities as other groups are,” Reeves said.

Hunter hopes those who set policy will think about the lives and voices of black America.

“Try to understand one another, because we all are different.”