Description:

Please join the Race, Ethnicity, and Politics Workshop as they host Princess H. Williams, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Amherst College

Abstract: Employing a novel survey measurement of sub-national identity, this book project investigates the important, but understudied, role Southern identity plays in shaping White and Black Americans’ beliefs about politics. Analyses of national surveys of Black and White Americans suggest that Southern identity is, in fact, associated with distinct and nuanced political beliefs for both Black and White Americans. Specifically, Southern identity is associated with more group-centric and communalistic attitudes for Black and White Americans. Regarding social issues and policies, Southern identity is associated with more hierarchal and traditionalistic attitudes across racial groups. Finally, with respect to economic issues and policies, Southern identity is associated with communalistic and group-centric attitudes as well. These results hint at a challenge to the claim that Southern identity is not as politically relevant for Black Americans as it is for White Americans. This work also speaks to the need for more nuanced approaches to understanding American’s political beliefs across race and place.

Princess H. Williams is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. Williams studies American politics with focuses on behavior, geography, race and ethnic politics, and American political development. Her research agenda includes projects measuring sub-national identities and regional cultures in the U.S and examining their influence on American politics. In her current book project, Williams constructs a direct measurement of Southern identity and investigate its relationship with various political attitudes across race.