We're Number One! We're Number One!

Deja vu all over again?

You could say that, because once again we're reporting on the results of a survey from Pew, this one a survey that predominantly addresses the progress that minorities have made in the United States.

The good news is that blacks see themselves as doing much better than ever before.

Despite the bad economy, blacks' assessments about the state of black progress in America have improved more dramatically during the past two years than at any time in the past quarter century, according to a comprehensive new nationwide Pew Research Center survey on race.

Barack Obama's election as the nation's first black president appears to be the spur for this sharp rise in optimism among African Americans. It may also be reflected in an upbeat set of black views on a range of other matters, including race relations, local community satisfaction and expectations for future black progress.

The bad news? If you're an atheist, anyway:

The survey finds that most Americans also are ready to accept intermarriage in their family if the new spouse is Hispanic or Asian. But there is one new spouse that most Americans would have trouble accepting into their families: someone who does not believe in God. Seven-in-ten people who are affiliated with a religion say they either would not accept such as marriage (27%) or be bothered before coming to accept it (42%).

Gotta love those open-minded Americans!