Synopses & Reviews
African-American Politics offers the most-up-to date and comprehensive introduction to the successes, failures, and persistent challenges of African-American political participation in the United States. Almost four decades after Martin Luther Kingrsquo; s ldquo; Give Us the Ballotrdquo; speech and the tumultuous and often controversial efforts of the Black Panther Party, African-American politics remains relatively symbolic and limited. In this innovative text, Kendra King examines US institutional structures, processes, policies, and political leaders to shed new light on the problems and promises of African-American politics in the new millennium. Drawing on a range of sources from U.S. Census data and Gallup Polls to landmark court opinions and speeches, the book explores African-American political behavior, and the so-called ldquo; irreconcilable differencesrdquo; between the US political system and one of its most historically subjugated constituency groups. Major themes covered include: bull; bull; symbolic versus substantive politics bull; the impact of race on socio-economic status bull; the post ndash; Civil Rights leadership vacuum bull; the rise of Black Conservatism and ldquo; New Black Politicsrdquo; bull; the political significance of Black Mega-Churches bull; the emergence of ldquo; Hip Hoprdquo; as an alternative political voice The book concludes by looking at the future of African-American politics, and suggests ways to increase Black political participation and incorporation in the US. It will be essential reading for students of African American politics, minority politics and ethnic studies, and may be used as a companion text in American government classes.
Review
"
African American Politics is likely to be a very useful volume for students and for general readers seeking a context for understanding the Obama election and contemporary racial politics. The book elegantly melds mainstream political science ideas and topics with innovative themes, a sophisticated historical consciousness, and continued demonstration of the ways in which African American politics is, and is not, American politics tout court."
Jennifer L. Hochschild, Harvard University
"Kendra King's text captures the complex interaction between African Americans and US political institutions. It provides a deep understanding of the hopes and dreams of a population often left on the outside of American democracy and how that experience is critical to understanding American political institutions and politics. Students of African American politics in particular and American politics in general will be well served by reading this text."
Mark Sawyer, University of California
Synopsis
African-American Politics is a cutting-edge introduction to the political successes, failures, and persistent challenges of African-American political participation in the United States. Exploring both historic and present day political phenomena, the book draws on a wide range of sources, including U.S. Census data, Gallup Polls, landmark court opinions, speeches and first-hand interviews to provide the reader with a comprehensive and up-to-the-minute analysis of what often appear to be "irreconcilable differences" between the American political system and one of its most historically subjugated constituency groups.
Amongst the key topics covered are:
- symbolic versus substantive politics
- the impact of race on socio-economic status
- the post -Civil Rights leadership vacuum
- the rise of Black Conservatism and "New Black Politics"
- the political significance of Black Mega-Churches
- the emergence of "Hip Hop" as an alternative political voice
- the future of African - American Politics
This book will be essential reading for students of American and minority politics, African - American studies and related disciplines. It will serve as a catalyst for dialogue for anyone interested in the role of African Americans in contemporary US political life.
For more information and resources visit the accompanying series website: www.politybooks.com/minoritypol
About the Author
Kendra King is associate professor of politics and the director of the Rich Foundation Urban Leadership program at Oglethorpe University.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 African Americans and Democracy Chapter 3 African Americans and Dollars & Sense Chapter 4 African Americans and Voting Behavior Chapter 5 African Americans and Congress Chapter 6 African Americans and the President Chapter 7 African Americans and the Judiciary Chapter 8 African Americans and Political Parties Chapter 9 African Americans and Interest Groups Chapter 10 African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement Chapter 11 African Americans and the Black Church Chapter 12 African Americans and the Politics of Hip Hop Chapter 13 Where Do We Go From Here? Glossary Works Cited