A Heap of Trouble

By an overwhelming margin, Nashville Power Poll members say they think African-Americans are treated more harshly by law enforcement than whites. That said, members say Nashville police did a good job dealing with the violence that took place after Saturday's peaceful demonstrations in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

Finally — and this is the big-picture question — more than seven in 10 Power Poll members said that when you take everything going on in the country right now ­— riots, poor relations between police and African-Americans, a pandemic, and a really bad economy — the nation faces a crisis best described as either "very severe" or "the most severe I have seen in my lifetime."

Here are the specific questions and answers to this snap Power Poll, which was taken Monday and Tuesday only of this week.

Question #1: Taking into account everything going on right now, how severe would you rate the state of crisis in our country on a scale of one to five, with one being not severe at all and five being the most severe crisis you have seen in your lifetime.

Question #2: Do you think that African-Americans are treated more harshly by law envorcement than whites?

Question #3: Has Nashville law enforcement conducted itself appropriately in dealing with the vandalism and violence that followed Saturday's demonstration?

A total of 846 Nashville Power Poll members were surveyed. 282 responded, for a participation rate of 33.33% The Power Poll is not a scientific poll. It is, however, a fascinating and non-partisan glimpse into the attitudes and opinions of those individuals who essentially run the city.