Perceptions of African American Involvement in International Politics

• In Event: International Politics Are Racial Politics

Abstract

There are few African Americans in the field of foreign affairs. Areas such as academia to foreign service have a significantly minute amount of their representation. When African Americans are in the field, it may sometimes appear as though others are surprised. What is the relationship between African Americans and their perception of involvement in international politics? Is their expertise taken seriously by colleagues? Is their occupation received within their identity community or by actors abroad? This paper's objective is to conduct a series of interviews and surveys from African American scholars and practitioners and multi-racial and ethnic respondents from within and outside of foreign affairs to gain an understanding of how African Americans are viewed as professional players on the international stage.

Author

• Constance Pruitt, University of Maryland Eastern Shore