The Color Line and the Quality of Life in America (Russell Sage Foundation Census Series)

Is the United States a nation divided by the "color line," as W.E.B. Dubois declared? What is the impact of race on the lives of Americans today? In this powerful new assessment of the social reality of race, Reynolds Farley and Walter Allen compare demographic, social, and economic characteristics of blacks and whites to discover how and to what extent racial identity influences opportunities and outcomes in our society. They conclude that despite areas of considerable gain, black Americans continue to be substantially disadvantaged relative to whites. A Volume in the Russell Sage Foundation Census Series This book is about race and the differences race makes in the lives of Americans. Its mission is to convert 1980 census data into authoritative analyses of major changes and trends in American life. It includes the following chapters: (1) "Race in America: The Dilemma Continues"; (2) "Black Population Growth from Colonial Times to World War II"; (3) "An Analysis of Mortality: 1940 to the Present"; (4) "Fertility Trends: 1940 to the Present"; (5) "The Redistribution of the Black Population and Residential Segregation"; (6) "Black Family, White Family: A Comparison of Family Organization"; (7) "The Schooling of America: Black-White Differences in Education"; (8) "Employment"; (9) "Racial Differences in Occupational Achievement"; (10) "Personal Income"; (11) "The Earnings of Employed Workers"; (12) "Race, Ancestry, and Socioeconomic Status: Are West Indian Blacks More Successful?"; and (13) "A World with No Color Line: Race and Class in Twenty-First Century America." Sixty-four tables and 49 figures are included. An appendix, containing 18 tables, presents an evaluation of the quality of census data. An extensive list of references is included. (JS) Cover Title Page, Copyright Page Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Appendix Tables Chapter 1. Race in America: The Dilemma Continues Chapter 2. Black Population Growth from Colonial Times to World War II Chapter 3. An Analysis of Mortality: 1940 to the Present Chapter 4. Fertility Trends: 1940 to the Present Chapter 5. The Redistribution of the Black Population and Residential Segregation Chapter 6. Black Family, White Family: A Comparison of Family Organization Chapter 7. The Schooling of America: Black-White Differences in Education Chapter 8. Employment Chapter 9. Racial Differences in Occupational Achievement Chapter 10. Personal Income Chapter 11. The Earnings of Employed Workers Chapter 12. Race, Ancestry, and Socioeconomic Status: Are West Indian Blacks More Successful? Chapter 13. A World with No Color Line: Race and Class in Twenty-First Century America Bibliography Name Index Subject Index