Final answer:
Nearly half of respondents believe African Americans have worse jobs, income, and housing due to an educational attainment gap and discrimination in employment and housing, despite a higher poverty rate among African Americans compared to white individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the General Social Survey, nearly half of the respondents believe that African Americans have worse jobs, income, and housing than white people, largely due to an interplay of social, political, economic, and cultural factors. One significant factor is the educational attainment gap, where a smaller percentage of African Americans complete four-year college degrees compared to white Americans, influencing the earnings gap. This is compounded by the presence of discrimination in both employment and housing, as indicated by studies showing less favorable treatment towards African American-sounding names on job applications and in housing inquiries. Additionally, the fact that African Americans have a higher percentage of individuals living in poverty, and a historical context of inequality and systemic barriers, contributes to the continuing disparities in jobs, income, and housing between African Americans and white people.