Race and Ethnicity in America

Abstract

Race and Ethnicity in America examines patterns and trends in racial and ethnic inequality in the United States. Drawing upon information collected in surveys such as the decennial census and the American Community Survey, it documents levels of inequality in educational attainment, income, poverty, wealth, residential conditions, and health among whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, and the multiracial population. It illustrate the main findings with in-depth stories gathered from ethnographic work and in topical news stories, and includes international comparisons as well. A recurrent theme in the book is that race and ethnicity are social constructions, as exemplified by how racial and ethnic group definitions and divisions vary over time and place, both within the United States and in other countries. The overarching conclusion is that color lines have generally softened over time in the United States, as there has been some narrowing of differences across many indicators for most groups over the past 60 years. Nevertheless, some deep-seated inequalities remain, especially between blacks and whites. Thus, despite some progress over many decades, illustrated by the substantial growth of the black middle class, African Americans are still more likely to be poor, unemployed, incarcerated, and suffer from worse health than whites. The books evaluates a number of theories that have been used to explain patterns of racial ethnic inequality, including human capital, social capital, culture, assimilation, and racism and discrimination. All play a role, though to a differing extent depending on the groups being considered.