Becoming Black? The Political Integration of African Immigrants in the US

• In Event: Migration in and from the Global South

Abstract

Research has consistently documented the importance of racial identification in understanding patterns of political behavior among Black Americans (McClain et al., 2009). In particular, strong racial identification among Black Americans, especially a belief in linked-fate (Dawson, 1995), is associated with a systemic understanding of the causes of racial inequality (Miller et al., 1981), greater support for policies designed to counteract racial discrimination and promote racial inequality (Dawson, 1995; Schmermund et al., 2001), and higher rates of political participation, especially types that require coordinated action (Chong and Rogers, 2005). However, all three of these processes are likely to differ quite dramatically for black immigrants and their children. As a result, existing research has generally shown much weaker racial group identification, racial group consciousness, and feelings of linked fate among black immigrants. In this paper, we explore these relationships with a unique survey of Somali immigrants in Columbus, Ohio. We show that, among this African immigrant population, racial identification with Black Americans is positively correlated with support for progressive racial policies and with political engagement.

Authors

• Amanda Lea Robinson, Ohio State University

• Claire Leslie Adida, UCSD