Description
Book SynopsisIn an age where racial and ethnic identity intersect, intertwine, and interact in increasingly complex ways, Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream offers a superb and rigorous analysis of black politics and coalitions in the post-Civil Rights era. Using an original survey of a New York City labor population and multiple national data sources, author Christina M. Greer explores the political significance of ethnicity for new immigrant and native-born blacks. Black Ethnics concludes that racial and ethnic identities affect the ways in which black ethnic groups conceptualize their possibilities for advancement and placement within the American polity. The ethnic and racial dual identity for blacks leads to significant distinctions in political behavior, feelings of incorporation, and policy choices in ways not previously theorized. The steady immigration of black populations from Africa and the Caribbean over the past few decades has fundamentally changed the racial, ethnic, and political landscape in the U.S. An important question for social scientists is how these ''new'' blacks will behave politically in the US. Should we expect new black immigrants to orient themselves to politics in the same manner as native Blacks? Will the different histories of the new immigrants and native-born blacks lead to different political orientations and behavior, and perhaps to political tensions and conflict among black ethnic groups residing in America? And to what extent will this new population fracture the black coalition inside of the Democratic party? With increases in immigration of black ethnic populations in the U.S., the political, social, and economic integration processes of black immigrants does not completely echo that of native-born American blacks. The emergent complexity of black intra-racial identity and negotiations within the American polity raise new questions about black political incorporation, assimilation, acceptance, and fulfillment of the American Dream. By comparing Afro-Caribbean and African groups to native-born blacks, this book develops a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the ''new black America'' in the twenty-first century. Lastly, Black Ethnics explores how foreign-born blacks create new ways of defining and understanding black politics and coalitions in the post-Civil Rights era.
Trade ReviewIf Black Ethnics had focused on only one of its two subjects - the racial and ethnic identities of foreign-born blacks in the United States, or the racial and political activities of an important public sector labor union - it would have been valuable and illuminating. Its gift to readers is attention to both of these subjects as well as the relationships connecting them. That makes it a stunning and original piece of research. We learn a great deal from Greer's empathetic and insightful study. * Jennifer Hochschild, Harvard University *
Christina Greer's ambitious and persuasive book simultaneously engages scholarship in race and ethnicity, immigration, and public opinion; analyzes new data on black attitudes; and introduces a novel theory of black ethnic relations. Plus, it's a treat to read. An important and original contribution, Black Ethnics will be invaluable to scholars of Black studies, political science, sociology, and beyond. * Jane Junn, University of Southern California *
This important and perceptive book is a major contribution to our understanding of the politics of black ethnic diversity. Greer skillfully mines data from a rare New York City survey as well as national polls to generate a series of nuanced political profiles of African Americans, Afro-Caribbean immigrants, and African immigrants. While revealing what is politically distinctive about each of these groups, she also identifies areas of political convergence and conflict among them. The result is an empirically rich and theoretically insightful account of the complexities of contemporary black politics and the challenges all blacks continue face in their pursuit of the American Dream. * Reuel Rogers, Northwestern University *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ; Introduction ; 1 A Theory of Black Elevated Minority Status ; 2 <"Where did you come from and what should I call you?>" How a NYC Labor Union Explains Changing Demographics ; 3 Political Participation and the Socialization of Blacks into Unions and the Polity ; 4 <"You Win Some, You Lose Some>": Hard Work and the Black Pursuit of the American Dream ; 5 Union Leadership and Policy Choices: Trends in Neutral and Racial Government Policies ; Conclusion ; Appendices ; Bibliography ; Index
