Dreaming Blackness : Black Nationalism and African American Public Opinion

A complex portrait of contemporary black political stances Black Nationalism is one of the oldest and most enduring ideological constructs developed by African Americans to make sense of their social and political worlds. In Dreaming Blackness , Melanye T. Price explores the current understandings of Black Nationalism among African Americans, providing a balanced and critical view of todays black political agenda. She argues that Black Nationalism continues to enjoy moderate levels of support by most black citizens but has a more difficult time gaining a larger stronghold because of increasing diversity among blacks and a growing emphasis on individualism over collective struggle. She shows that black interests are a dynamic negotiation among various interested groups and suggests that those differences are not just important for the "black agenda" but also for how African Americans think and dialogue about black political questions daily. Using a mix of everyday talk and impressive statistical data to explain contemporary black opinions, Price highlights the ways in which Black Nationalism works in a "post-racial" society. Ultimately, Price offers a multilayered portrait of African American political opinions, providing a new understanding of race specific ideological views and their impact on African Americans, persuasively illustrating that Black Nationalism is an ideology that scholars and politicians should not dismiss.

black Nationalism Is One Of The Oldest And Most Enduring Ideological Constructs Developed By African Americans To Make Sense Of Their Social And Political Worlds. In dreaming Blackness, Melanye T. Price Explores The Current Understandings Of Black Nationalism Among African Americans, Providing A Balanced And Critical View Of Today's Black Political Agenda. She Argues That Black Nationalism Continues To Enjoy Moderate Levels Of Support By Most Black Citizens But Has A More Difficult Time Gaining A Larger Stronghold Because Of Increasing Diversity Among Blacks And A Growing Emphasis On Individualism Over Collective Struggle. She Shows That Black Interests Are A Dynamic Negotiation Among Various Interested Groups And Suggests That Those Differences Are Not Just Important For The "black Agenda" But Also For How African Americans Think And Dialogue About Black Political Questions Daily.

using A Mix Of Everyday Talk And Impressive Statistical Data To Explain Contemporary Black Opinions, Price Highlights The Ways In Which Black Nationalism Works In A "post-racial" Society. Ultimately, Price Offers A Multilayered Portrait Of African American Political Opinions, Providing A New Understanding Of Race Specific Ideological Views And Their Impact On African Americans, Persuasively Illustrating That Black Nationalism Is An Ideology That Scholars And Politicians Should Not Dismiss.

Black Nationalism is one of the oldest and most enduring ideological constructs developed by African Americans to make sense of their social and political worlds. In Dreaming Blackness, Melanye Price explores the current understandings of Black Nationalism among African Americans, providing a balanced and critical view of today's black political agenda. Price argues that Black Nationalism continues to enjoy moderate levels of support by most black citizens but has a more difficult time gaining a larger stronghold because of increasing diversity among blacks and a growing emphasis on individualism over collective struggle. She shows that black interests are a dynamic negotiation among various groups and suggests that those differences are not just important for the "black agenda" but also for how African Americans think and dialogue about black political questions daily.

Using a mix of everyday talk and impressive statistical data to explain contemporary black opinions, Price highlights the ways in which Black Nationalism works in a "post-racial" society. Ultimately, Price offers a multilayered portrait of African American political opinions, providing a new understanding of race-specific ideological views and their impact on African Americans, persuasively illustrating that Black Nationalism is an ideology that scholars and politicians cannot afford to dismiss.

Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 16 1 Reconciling Race and Nation: Black Nationalism and African American Political Opinion......Page 34 2 Beyond Martin and Malcolm: Ordinary Citizens Talk about the Civil Rights Legacy and Community Problems......Page 46 3 Rights and Resistance: Mapping the Terrain of Black Nationalist Adherence......Page 74 4 The New Old School Blame Game: Blame Attribution and Ideology among African Americans......Page 95 5 The Measure and Meaning of Black Nationalism......Page 118 6 Black Nationalism and Its Consequences......Page 142 7 Dreaming Blackness: Making Sense of Support or Rejection of Separatism......Page 165 8 Conclusion: Black Nationalism at the Post–Civil Rights Crossroads......Page 177 Afterword: Black Power: A Note about Black Nationalism, Barack Obama, and the Future of Black Politics......Page 188 Appendix A: Focus Group Characteristics......Page 196 Appendix B: NBES Survey Questions and Descriptive Statistics......Page 200 Notes......Page 208 References......Page 218 B......Page 234 C......Page 235 H......Page 236 M......Page 237 P......Page 238 U......Page 239 Y......Page 240 About the Author......Page 241 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 16 1 Reconciling Race and Nation: Black Nationalism and African American Political Opinion 34 2 Beyond Martin and Malcolm: Ordinary Citizens Talk about the Civil Rights Legacy and Community Problems 46 3 Rights and Resistance: Mapping the Terrain of Black Nationalist Adherence 74 4 The New Old School Blame Game: Blame Attribution and Ideology among African Americans 95 5 The Measure and Meaning of Black Nationalism 118 6 Black Nationalism and Its Consequences 142 7 Dreaming Blackness: Making Sense of Support or Rejection of Separatism 165 8 Conclusion: Black Nationalism at the Post–Civil Rights Crossroads 177 Afterword: Black Power: A Note about Black Nationalism, Barack Obama, and the Future of Black Politics 188 Appendix A: Focus Group Characteristics 196 Appendix B: NBES Survey Questions and Descriptive Statistics 200 Notes 208 References 218 Index 234 A 234 B 234 C 235 D 236 E 236 F 236 G 236 H 236 I 237 J 237 K 237 L 237 M 237 N 238 O 238 P 238 R 239 S 239 T 239 U 239 V 240 W 240 Y 240 About the Author 241