Group Orientations and Strategies in Racial Change

Abstract

The differential response of black and white youth to protests and racial change in the mid-1960s was investigated in terms of (1) attitudes toward civil-rights and black nationalist organizations, (2) the relation between these attitudes and change strategies (black solidarity and integration), and (3) the psychosocial origins of racial-group orientations—Muslim support among black youth and the rejection of Negro organizations by white boys. In both racial groups, approval increased sharply from the Black Muslims, to the direct-action groups such as CORE, and to the NAACP. Support for black self-defense, leadership, and political unity was most frequently reported by black and white youth who approved of CORE and especially the Muslims. Desire for racial integration was least prevalent among blacks who approved of the Muslims and among whites who rejected both civil-rights and nationalist organizations. These youth were also most likely to view racial identity as a source of status and achievement. Resistance to racial change in the white sample and especially Muslim support among black youth were related to limited access to achievement opportunities, while interracial distance was only predictive of white opposition.