Black Ethnics

Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream

Christina M. Greer

Original theory of elevated minority status, where Afro-Caribbean and African migrants are viewed as better or different than native-born blacks by whites, but still not seen as model minorities like Asian American groups
Creation of an original survey of Social Service Employees Union-Local 371 members
One of the few studies that compares native-born blacks, Afro-Caribbeans, and African groups
Incorporates quantitative methods (survey analysis) and qualitative methods (in-depth interviews)

Black Ethnics

Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream

Christina M. Greer

Description

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 United States. But how will these "new blacks" behave politically in America? Using an original survey of New York City workers and multiple national data sources, Christina M. Greer explores the political significance of ethnicity for new immigrant and native-born blacks. In an age where racial and ethnic identities intersect, intertwine, and interact in increasingly complex ways, Black Ethnics offers a powerful and rigorous analysis of black politics and coalitions in the post-Civil Rights era.

Black Ethnics

Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream

Christina M. Greer

Acknowledgments
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

Black Ethnics

Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream

Christina M. Greer

Author Information

Christina M. Greer is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fordham University.

Black Ethnics

Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream

Christina M. Greer

Reviews and Awards

Winner of the Black Political Scientists' 2014 W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award

"If 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