To Save the Soul of America: Black Politics and the State of American Democracy

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

The proposed panel aims to conduct a thorough examination of the current state of American democracy through the lens of Black politics and drawing inspiration from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s impactful words delivered to the North Carolina NAACP in 1960. King's assertion that "It may well be that the Negro is God’s instrument to save the soul of America" serves as the guiding principle for our exploration into the contemporary role of Black Americans in shaping America's centuries-long experiment with democratic governance.

Given the persistent challenges to full citizenship rights for Black Americans, including both interpersonal and systemic racial violence, our panel seeks to unravel the intricate relationship between the political behavior of Black Americans and the state of American democracy. We will delve into key aspects of Black political engagement, including the nuances of Black partisanship, challenges to Black voter turnout, Black participation in costly political actions, and Black attitudes toward their group. Through these analyses, our panel aims to illuminate the pivotal role that Black politics plays in shaping the democratic fabric of the nation.

Moreover, our panel will examine what insights Black politics can offer about the general health of American democracy. During a presidential election year that promises to stress-test our democratic institutions, this Black politics panel will showcase research that provides insight into broader questions in American politics. When and how do Black Americans choose to participate in the democratic process? How do parties, laws, and political norms affect these decisions? Why do Black people align themselves with the Democratic Party? And what do Black Americans think about their prospects for achieving racial equality? Our esteemed discussant, Hakeem Jefferson, will lead a constructive conversation, exploring how each of the four papers contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how Black political behavior both shapes and is shaped by American institutions and norms.

In summary, this panel seeks to provide a timely and insightful interrogation of the political values, attitudes, and actions that are crucial for maintaining an inclusive and participatory democracy, particularly during a pivotal election year.

Sub Unit

• Division 32: Race, Ethnicity, and Politics

Cosponsor

• Division 5: Political Psychology

Individual Presentations

• When Hard Work Isn’t Enough: Race, Inequality, and the American Dream - Zoe Walker, University of Michigan

• Closing the Black Gender Gap: Evidence from the Georgia 2022 Midterm Election - Kevin Sparrow, Georgia State University

• Resilience to Adversity: Black Voters and Costly Political Behaviors - Christine Marie Slaughter, Boston University

• Battered Citizen Syndrome: Trauma and Black Political Behavior - Kamri Hudgins, University of Michigan

• Black Americans in Primaries: Results from Presidential & Down Ballot Elections - Jasmine Smith, George Washington University

Chair

• Vincent L. Hutchings University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Discussant

• Hakeem Jerome Jefferson Stanford University