491 - Thematic Session. Rethinking Civil Rights Movement Outcomes

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Description

What has been the long-term social, political and economic impact of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement on American society? How did the movement’s successes shape national political party agendas; facilitate or hamper the political efficacy of post-civil rights movement organizations; and, influence public policies and private sector practices that shape economic and social equality outcomes? Drawing on their research, four panelists will address these issues. The panelists include Doug McAdam, whose recent book (with Karina Kloos), Deeply Divided, illuminates the ways in which, in the aftermath of the movement, race shaped political party polarization between democrats and republicans and undercut public policy aimed at the poor. Another panelist is John Skrentny. His book, After Civil Rights: Racial Realism in the New American Workplace, argues that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits workplace discrimination, leads to a “color-blind” approach to hiring with negative consequences for non-white employees. He proposes a race-aware approach, instead. Finally, Belinda Robnett’s research for her book in progress, Surviving Success: Black Political Organizations in “Post-Racial” America, 1970 to 2008, chronicles how, in the aftermath of the civil rights movement, political and cultural racial-ethnic discourses that emphasize colorblindness and diversity have undercut the efficacy of the NAACP and the SCLC, and by extension Black progress. Aldon Morris, author of the Origins of the Civil Rights Movement, will serve as the discussant.

Sub Unit

• Thematic Sessions

Session Organizer

• Belinda Robnett, University of California-Irvine

Panelists

• Douglas McAdam, Stanford University

• John Skrentny, Univ. of California, San Diego

• Belinda Robnett, University of California-Irvine

Discussant

• David S. Meyer, University of California, Irvine