
Dimensions of Blackness
Racial Identity and Political Beliefs
State University of New York Press
Published on 2. July 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
194 pages
978-1-4384-7160-0 (ISBN)
Description
A multidimensional approach captures the complexities of African American racial identity.
While the dynamics of racial oppression limit the range of attitudes blacks may construct and hold, their basic humanity introduces additional attitudinal variance that is nearly boundless. Rather than claim it is possible to conceptualize and measure every iteration of blackness, modern social theorists such as Robert Sellers and William Cross Jr. contend that one should systematically "sample" the unmanageable range of different identity frames found among blacks. In Dimensions of Blackness, the authors suggest there is no single, solitary way to express black racial identity. They move away from blackness as binary and instead reveal what happens when black racial identity is conceptualized with "difference of opinion." Using a multidimensional perspective this book explores whether black racial identity differences among blacks influence political attitudes and behavior.
While the dynamics of racial oppression limit the range of attitudes blacks may construct and hold, their basic humanity introduces additional attitudinal variance that is nearly boundless. Rather than claim it is possible to conceptualize and measure every iteration of blackness, modern social theorists such as Robert Sellers and William Cross Jr. contend that one should systematically "sample" the unmanageable range of different identity frames found among blacks. In Dimensions of Blackness, the authors suggest there is no single, solitary way to express black racial identity. They move away from blackness as binary and instead reveal what happens when black racial identity is conceptualized with "difference of opinion." Using a multidimensional perspective this book explores whether black racial identity differences among blacks influence political attitudes and behavior.
Reviews / Votes
"[The authors'] well-crafted findings accent how self-chosen identities are multifaceted, and how identity choices affect political policy views and participation. Their innovative analysis goes beyond studies using unidimensional identity measures." - CHOICEMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
26 Tables, black and white; 20 Figures
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
290 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4384-7160-0 (9781438471600)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Jas M. Sullivan | Jonathan Winburn | William E. Cross
Dimensions of Blackness
Racial Identity and Political Beliefs
E-Book
10/2018
1st Edition
De Gruyter
from
€81.99
Available for download
Persons
Jas M. Sullivan is Associate Professor of Political Science and African and African American Studies at Louisiana State University. He is the coauthor (with Jonathan Winburn) of The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus: Race and Representation in the Pelican State. Jonathan Winburn is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Social Science Research Lab at the University of Mississippi. He is the author of The Realities of Redistricting: Following the Rules and Limiting Gerrymandering in State Legislative Redistricting. William E. Cross Jr. is Clinical Professor of Higher Education and Counseling Psychology at the University of Denver and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He is the coeditor (with Jas M. Sullivan) of Meaning-Making, Internalized Racism, and African American Identity, also published by SUNY Press.
Content
Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Understanding Black Racial Identity
2. Measuring and Analyzing the Influence of Multidimensional Racial Identity
3. Social Dominance Orientation
4. Black Nationalism and Racial Attitudes
5. Policy Attitudes
6. Political Participation
Conclusion
Appendix: Models for Single- Item Measures
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Understanding Black Racial Identity
2. Measuring and Analyzing the Influence of Multidimensional Racial Identity
3. Social Dominance Orientation
4. Black Nationalism and Racial Attitudes
5. Policy Attitudes
6. Political Participation
Conclusion
Appendix: Models for Single- Item Measures
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index