Blurring the Color Line: The New Chance for a More Integrated America (The Nathan I. Huggins Lectures)

Richard Alba argues that the social cleavages that separate Americans into distinct, unequal ethno-racial groups could narrow dramatically in the coming decades. During the mid-twentieth century, the dominant position of the United States in the postwar world economy led to a rapid expansion of education and labor opportunities. As a result of their newfound access to training and jobs, many ethnic and religious outsiders, among them Jews and Italians, finally gained full acceptance as members of the mainstream. Alba proposes that this large-scale assimilation of white ethnics was a result of “non-zero-sum mobility,” which he defines as the social ascent of members of disadvantaged groups that can take place without affecting the life chances of those who are already members of the established majority. Alba shows that non-zero-sum mobility could play out positively in the future as the baby-boom generation retires, opening up the higher rungs of the labor market. Because of the changing demography of the country, many fewer whites will be coming of age than will be retiring. Hence, the opportunity exists for members of other groups to move up. However, Alba cautions, this demographic shift will only benefit disadvantaged American minorities if they are provided with access to education and training. In Blurring the Color Line, Alba explores a future in which socially mobile minorities could blur stark boundaries and gain much more control over the social expression of racial differences. (20100706)

richard Alba Argues That The Social Cleavages That Separate Americans Into Distinct, Unequal Ethno-racial Groups Could Narrow Dramatically In The Coming Decades. During The Mid-twentieth Century, The Dominant Position Of The United States In The Postwar World Economy Led To A Rapid Expansion Of Education And Labor Opportunities. As A Result Of Their Newfound Access To Training And Jobs, Many Ethnic And Religious Outsiders, Among Them Jews And Italians, Finally Gained Full Acceptance As Members Of The Mainstream. Alba Proposes That This Large-scale Assimilation Of White Ethnics Was A Result Of “non-zero-sum Mobility,” Which He Defines As The Social Ascent Of Members Of Disadvantaged Groups That Can Take Place Without Affecting The Life Chances Of Those Who Are Already Members Of The Established Majority.

alba Shows That Non-zero-sum Mobility Could Play Out Positively In The Future As The Baby-boom Generation Retires, Opening Up The Higher Rungs Of The Labor Market. Because Of The Changing Demography Of The Country, Many Fewer Whites Will Be Coming Of Age Than Will Be Retiring. Hence, The Opportunity Exists For Members Of Other Groups To Move Up. However, Alba Cautions, This Demographic Shift Will Only Benefit Disadvantaged American Minorities If They Are Provided With Access To Education And Training. In blurring The Color Line, Alba Explores A Future In Which Socially Mobile Minorities Could Blur Stark Boundaries And Gain Much More Control Over The Social Expression Of Racial Differences.

publishers Weekly

according To Alba (coauthor Of Remaking The American Mainstream), Present-day America Has Arrived At A Rare Moment In Its History, When Disadvantaged Minorities Could “alter The Ethnoracial Boundaries Of American Society Through Increasing Diversity At Its Middle And Upper Levels.” He Argues That The U.s. Reached Similar Moments As Southern And Eastern European, Irish And Jewish Immigrants Were Gradually Amalgamated Into The Mainstream And Considered White. His Arguments On Why Conditions Could Be Ripe For A Similar Shift In The Early 21st Century Are Logical And Well-supported. One Unfortunate Blind Spot, However, Is Alba's Insistence On Lumping Together Disadvantaged Hispanic And Black Minorities And Failing To Acknowledge That The African-american Presence In The U.s. Is Wholly Unique—for All The Labor Statistics He Presents, He Neglects To Weigh The Consequences Of A 400-year Legacy Of Slavery And Segregation. Alba's Conclusion Is Strongly Stated And Well Reasoned, And But He Hides In An Ivory Tower, Neglecting To Satisfyingly Examine The Hurdles To The Education And Affirmative-action Reforms He So Vigorously Recommends. (sept.)

"Richard Alba argues that the social cleavages that separate Americans into distinct, unequal ethno-racial groups could narrow dramatically in the coming decades. During the mid-twentieth century, the dominant position of the United States in the postwar world economy led to a rapid expansion of education and labor opportunities. As a result of their newfound access to training and jobs, many ethnic and religious outsiders, among them Jews and Italians, finally gained full acceptance as members of the mainstream. Alba proposes that this large-scale assimilation of white ethnics was a result of "non-zero-sum mobility," which he defines as the social ascent of members of disadvantaged groups that can take place without affecting the life chances of those who are already members of the established majority." "Alba shows that non-zero-sum mobility could play out positively in the future as the baby-boom generation retires, opening up the higher rungs of the labor market. Because of the changing demography of the country, many fewer whites will be coming of age than will be retiring. Hence the opportunity exists for members of other groups to move up. However, Alba cautions, this demographic shift will only benefit disadvantaged American minorities if they are provided with access to education and training. In Blurring the Color Line, Alba explores a future in which socially mobile minorities could blur stark boundaries and gain much more control over the social expression of racial differences."--Jacket Paradoxes of race and ethnicity in America today The puzzle of ethno-racial change Solving the puzzle: a new theory of boundary change Contemporary dynamics of minority mobility An extraordinary opportunity: the exit of the baby boomers The contingencies of change Imagining a more integrated future. Arguing that social divides between unequal ethno-racial groups will lessen dramatically in coming decades, the sociologist author of Remaking the American Mainstream makes positive predictions for the post-baby-boomer generation while calling for more equal access to education and career training.