Role Relations of Black Sociologists With the Black Community

Abstract

This article examines sociologists' perceptions of the role relations of black sociologists with the black community. Literature written in the 1960s and 1970s by and about black sociologists suggests they (1) have a coalescent relationship with the black community and (2) want to develop special theoretical and methodological approaches to study black people. However, there are no data showing the extent to which black sociologists agree or disagree with these assumptions. This article provides such data by contrasting responses of black sociologists to statements taken from this literature, with responses of white sociologists. First, literature about black sociologists suggests their relationship with other blacks is unique because they positively identify with them (Conyers and Epps, 1974; Jackson, 1974; Record, 1974; Merton, 1973). This relationship takes the form of defending and supporting the black community's efforts of achieving equality in America. For example, some argue white