What's a less offensive way of phrasing this question?

Question

"How rare are middle/high-income African-American families (excluding celebrities)?"

I was curious to know what percentages of the African-American population live in low-income, medium-income, and high-income households. As soon as I posted this question, people began accusing me for being racist even though the question wasn't intended to be racist. Therefore, I was forced to delete my question before I ended up getting reported. I don't want this question to remain unsolved, so how can this question be phrased in a way that dosen't sound racist?

Answer 1

Maybe phrase it this way:

Excluding celebrities, what percentage of African-American households have middle to high incomes?

I wouldn't have thought you were racist by the first way you had it worded, but I guess some people are too sensitive or insecure within themselves to think realistically.

As far as an answer to the question, you may want to Google it and look for the latest census results. (I think it was in 2000 that the last US census took place.)

Answer 2

I'm not African-American, but seeing as how you mentioned that you didn't want to offend anyone, I think any mistakes have been forewarned, and the answerers know they're coming.

To answer the question, now... I live in a very small town, and I know four people of African descent. One is a factory worker, one a drug dealer, and two are doctors. The two doctors are married to each other, with two children, and quite respected in the local medical community. So, in my area, I know about half of the African-Americans, and four out of six of those are in a high-income family.

I'm pretty sure many wealthy African-Americans prefer to live away from an inner city area. I also think most of the racists' statistics don't take high income families into account.

Answer 3

It doesn't to me. I won't report you. Stastics are high. I would look in your community and then double what ever the number is of poor African-Americans. Or if that can't be done find out how many poor African-Americans live in New Orleans and then double the number if not triple it. You may get a close number of poor African-Americans there are. As for medium and high income families of African-American peoples the number is quite considerably lower. If you can find any report, it should be available to the public, it will give you an over all look.

Answer 4

You should say "What is the percentage of middle-high-income African-American families (excluding celebrities)?"

Answer 5

Rephrase it so you don't use the word "rare." By using that word, you imply that you yourself believe that such a thing is a rarity.

Try: "How many African-American families are there with middle to high income levels?"

If someone reports you, then they're probably too sensitive. Some people are report happy.

Answer 6

I just glanced at the stats under Dpt of Labor and IRS, and neither break out income info by ethnicity. Not to say it's completely unavailable, but as an economist, those are the first to places to explore. Good luck.

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with your question .. Try looking in African-American income sites.

Answer 8

Maybe you can say how common is it.
Or where could I get info on middle/high income ...
It's good that you're just looking it up for interest sakes and people are far too sensitive sometimes!

Answer 9

"Where can I get statistics on the number of high, middle and low-income African-Americans?"

I suggest you post it in the "society and culture" category.

Answer 10

the problem it seems to me, is that there are racist people out there and people seem to think every statement must be a remark or racist comment. But there is census that can answer that question to make it less painful