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White reluctance to recognize black claims to equality, linked with the "failure of the Federal Government to follow up on new civil rights laws," has produced profound cynicism about the American political system. Sixty-three percent agree that "the system is rotten and has to be changed completely for blacks to be free." This disillusionment, coupled with the presence of a Republican Administration and its actions, has almost totally alienated blacks from government, both federal and local. While the FBI receives a 50%-to-27% vote of confidence for its impartial treatment of blacks and whites, local law-enforcement authorities are regarded as antiblack. Only 20% believe that many local police apply the law equally; 62% feel the cops are against blacks. By a 73%-to-12% margin, blacks believe local police are dishonest; by a similar 67% to 18%, they feel police are "more interested in cracking black heads than in stopping crime." Blacks have scarcely more faith in the courts. A 62%-to-21% majority felt that the Supreme Court applied the law equally, but a 55%-to-23% majority feel that state and local courts are biased.
Blacks no longer hope for much help from the Federal Government. The Justice Department, regarded as a friend during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, is now considered anti-black by a 50%-22% margin. So is the Nixon Administration. Sixty-three percent say they looked to the Federal Government for a great deal of leadership in racial affairs under J.F.K. and L.B.J.; only 3% say the same about the present Administration, and only 17% think they will ever come to depend on the Federal Government again. They are equally unlikely to seek help from either of the two major political parties. Though 63% believe Democrats are more likely than Republicans to help blacks, an even higher 72% entirely reject the notion of reflex party support, preferring to vote for "whichever man will help the blacks." In fact, black self-reliance and self-confidence have progressed to the point where a surprising 41%-to-38% plurality can foresee themselves taking real control of their local governments in the next few years.
One measure of the blacks' sense of alienation from white-run institutions is their sympathy for the Black Panthers. One in four categorically states, "The Black Panthers represent my own personal views," and the figure rises to 43% among those under 21. Sixty-four percent of all blacks agree that the "Panthers give me a sense of pride."