Black to the Future.

Any thoughts on what you'll be doing 30 years from now--getting ready for retirement, perhaps, or maybe living off the interest from that cool million you earned from some smart investment picks?

According to the most recent Shell Poll, most African Americans feel optimistic about the future. Two-thirds say they're hopeful for themselves and their families, while slightly fewer, 62%, feel a sense of optimism about the country. Interestingly, more whites (60%) than blacks (50%) say that race relations will improve in the next 30 years.

Although 91% of African Americans think we'll have a cashless society in three decades, only 42% feel the traditional bank savings account will become obsolete. African Americans also tend to think that in the future, people will retire earlier (38%) rather than later (26%).

On the medical front, blacks view medical technology as both a blessing and a curse: while 68% believe a cure for diabetes will be found in 30 years, 56% dread the possibility of human cloning.

As to who America's commander in chief might be, blacks and Hispanics say it will be easier for a woman to become President than a minority. But by a margin of two to one, whites are more inclined than African Americans to think that a black person will become President.

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