In April 1992, the world witnessed a renewal in South-Central Los Angeles of the urban violence that had exploded there over a quarter of a century earlier. As in the Watts rebellion of 1965, the spark that ignited the firestorm was Black rage over police brutality. But in both eras the tinder was prepared by decades of social neglect and political disenfranchisement that have left the predominantly non-white urban poor trapped and virtually without hope. Race, Politics, and Economic Development examines the underlying causes of Black urban poverty and recommends means to escape the seemingly endless cycle of retributive violence that it spawns. The book brings together Black activists and scholars, including two former mayors of American cities, to analyze the theoretical and practical problems facing the Black community in the United States. The essays argue that political influence, power and wealth are major factors in determining social welfare policies; that both liberal and conservative policies are no longer effective in alleviating a growing human service crisis among Blacks; and that political mobilisation of the Black community is absolutely critical in resolving the problem of poverty in urban America. Drawing on work in the social sciences, political theory and economics, and also on the contributors‘ activist experiences, these essays present an agenda for the participation of grassroots Black leaders in developing and implementing urban policy.

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Race and Democracy in the Americas examines dimensions of the comparative dynamics of race and ethnicity, with a directed focus on the Americas, most particularly Brazil and the United States. Brazil and the United States are two countries in the Americas that have been major hosts for the African diaspora. Both countries experienced prolonged enslavement of Africans and both now claim to be beacons of democracy for much of the developing world. Both Afro-Brazilians and African Americans have fielded major liberation movements against racism and oppression yet both groups continue to experience considerable residual racial discrimination and displacement. Brazil and the U.S. remain racialized societies though both officially purport to be otherwise.The chapters of this volume illuminate a common search for understanding how race operates in societies generally, and how shapes life opportunities for African Americans and Afro-Brazilians, both oppressed by this most detrimental social construction. The project that fueled this volume represented a rare opportunity for collaboration between Afro-Brazilian scholars and their African American counterparts.This volume offers a passionate conversation between colleagues who have endured common sociopolitical and cultural struggles, but who have only belatedly been able to meet and connect as individuals. Both groups share identities as scholars and activists, for neither identity alone is sufficient to nourish the longings of their hearts nor of their consciences. This volume also represents an all too rare opportunity to give voice and expression to the work of Afro-Brazilian scholars.Volume 9 of the National Political Science Review also carries a special tribute to Mack Henry Jones, a senior black political scientist retiring from Atlanta University and honors Jones's legacy and continues his quest for understanding the nature and intricacies of oppression and possible paths to liberatio

With case studies from across the country, in medium-sized and large cities, and mayors of various backgrounds, this volume provides an account of how different minority mayors have handled minority representation in historically majority Caucasian cities and what lessons academics and politicians can learn from them.

Learn how racial and political bias often contribute to the misuse of funding and affect low income and minority communities! Share an insider’s view of how race and politics impact the distribution of city services and how the promises of elected African Americans and liberal whites to poor communities are often broken. Authored by a noted expert in urban studies, Race, Politics, and Community Development Funding: The Discolor of Money follows federal money designated to alleviate urban poverty and blight at the local level. Using a variety of research methods, the author shows how key actors (mayor, council members, public bureaucrats) often contribute to the misuse of funds. Race, Politics, and Community Development Funding follows the trail of over $247 million allocated to the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1975 to 1997. You’ll learn where money designated to address problems of urban blight and poverty really went. Through interviews, participant observation, trace analysis, and a careful review of public records, this illuminating book follows that money and reveals the errors of those who argued that an increase in the number of black elected officials and community activists would result in more resources for low-income areas. Helpful charts, tables, and graphs illustrate the flow of federal dollars. With Race, Politics, and Community Development Funding you’ll gain a better understanding of: how public bureaucracies are an extension of the executive branch, as opposed to being independent public agencies how some agencies have used a variety of inaccurate and biased methods and evaluations to fund—or not fund—community based organizations the shortcomings of African-American elected officials and biracial coalitions in obtaining resources for minority communities how education, job training, and youth/family services are as important as who gets elected to office and more! Race, Politics, and Community Development Funding: The Discolor of Money is a valuable resource for community organizers, low-income and minority advocates, undergraduate and graduate students interested in public policies, elected officials and bureaucrats who make funding and implementation decisions, and everyone interested in racial politics and urban community development.

Racism in Contemporary America is the largest and most up-to-date bibliography available on current research on the topic. It has been compiled by award-winning researcher Meyer Weinberg, who has spent many years writing and researching contemporary and historical aspects of racism. Almost 15,000 entries to books, articles, dissertations, and other materials are organized under 87 subject-headings. In addition, there are author and ethnic-racial indexes. Several aids help the researcher access the materials included. In addition to the subject organization of the bibliography, entries are annotated whenever the title is not self-explanatory. An author index is followed by an ethnic-racial index which makes it convenient to follow a single group through any or all the subject headings. This is a source book for the serious study of America's most enduring problem; as such it will be of value to students and researchers at all levels and in most disciplines.

This book explores the many facets of black urban life from its genesis in the 18th century to the present time. With some historical background, the volume is primarily a contemporary critique, focusing on the major themes which have arisen and the challenges the confront African Americans as they create communities: political economy, religion and spirituality, health care, education, protest, and popular culture. The essays all examine the interplay between culture and politics, and the ways in which forms of cultural expression and political participation have changed over the past century to serve the needs of the black urban community. The collection closes with analysis of current struggles these communities face - joblessness, political discontent, frustrations with health care and urban schools - and the ways in which communities are responding to these challenges.

Dimensions of Black Conservatism in the US is a collection of twelve essays by leading black intellectuals and scholars on varied dimensions of black conservative thought and activism. The book explores the political role and functions of black neoconservatives. The majority of essays cover the contemporary period. The authors have provided a historical context for the reader with several articles examining the origins and development of black conservatism.

Latin America has a rich and complex social history marked by slavery, colonialism, dictatorships, rebellions, social movements and revolutions. Comparative Racial Politics in Latin America explores the dynamic interplay between racial politics and hegemonic power in the region. It investigates the fluid intersection of social power and racial politics and their impact on the region’s histories, politics, identities and cultures. Organized thematically with in-depth country case studies and a historical overview of Afro-Latin politics, the volume provides a range of perspectives on Black politics and cutting-edge analyses of Afro-descendant peoples in the region. Regional coverage includes Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti and more. Topics discussed include Afro-Civil Society; antidiscrimination criminal law; legal sanctions; racial identity; racial inequality and labor markets; recent Black electoral participation; Black feminism thought and praxis; comparative Afro-women social movements; the intersection of gender, race and class, immigration and migration; and citizenship and the struggle for human rights. Recognized experts in different disciplinary fields address the depth and complexity of these issues. Comparative Racial Politics in Latin America contributes to and builds on the study of Black politics in Latin America.