There is a wide difference in the way white and Black Americans view the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, with African-Americans strongly disapproving of it, according to a recent poll.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll indicated that 86 percent of African-American respondents did not approve of the verdict that found Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. 
In contrast, 51 percent of white respondents said that they approved of the verdict. Of all the people surveyed, including respondents of all races, 41 percent said they approved of the verdict with 41 percent saying they disapproved.
The division of opinion was equally dramatic when it came to the question of whether the Justice Department should pursue civil rights charges against Zimmerman in the death of Martin. Of those who responded, 46 percent that Zimmerman should not be charged with violating the teenager’s civil rights and 39 percent said that such charges should be leveled.
However, 81 percent of African-Americans said that Zimmerman should be charged with a civil rights violation, with 59 percent of white respondents saying he should not face such charges.
“It’s not a particular surprise,” said Michael K. Fauntroy, an associate professor of public policy at George Mason University, in an interview with BET.com.
“When you look at every major case over the course of the last generation where race was a significant undercurrent, the opinions break down largely along racial lines. It strikes me as a microcosm for the way many things go in this country.”

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  (Photo: REUTERS/Steve Nesius)