Racial cooperation in America: Why the United States is not as divided as it may seem

Interactions across race have been central to societal progress—expanding civil rights, driving industrial innovation, and improving economic inclusion. Yet we are at a moment in which polarization, misinformation, and narratives of division increasingly shape public discourse. How can we create systems and cultures that bolster equality across different backgrounds and enable people to work together not just for their own interests, but for a common good?  

On Wednesday, February 18, the Brookings Center for Community Uplift held a discussion about new research on the state of racial cooperation in America. The findings are drawn from a first-of-its-kind national survey, co-designed and administered by Gallup, that examines how Americans live, work, and build relationships across racial lines.

Following presentations of the research, panelist conversations unpacked the implications of the new findings, reflected on opportunities for strengthening racial cooperation nationwide, and discussed how future research can chart a path toward a more connected, productive, and democratic society.