You Would Choose Now
allendowney.com/blog/2026/06/16/you-would-choose-now/
Allen Downey examines long-running survey data on race relations and civil rights, comparing cohort and period trends to test Barack Obama’s claim that, if you didn’t know who you’d be, you’d choose to be born now. The data show substantial declines in openly racist views over time, while also highlighting recent stagnation or possible reversals on some questions.