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Race, Class and the Dilemmas of Upward Mobility for African Americans
Author(s) -
Cole Elizabeth R.,
Omari Safiya R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1046/j.0022-4537.2003.00090.x
Subject(s) - intersectionality , social mobility , race (biology) , class (philosophy) , context (archaeology) , gender studies , meaning (existential) , identity (music) , sociology , relevance (law) , social class , social psychology , psychology , political science , geography , social science , physics , archaeology , artificial intelligence , computer science , acoustics , law , psychotherapist
We use the concept of intersectionality to explore the psychological meaning of social class and upward mobility in the lives African Americans. Throughout, we pay special attention to the context of education, a site which many Black Americans feel represents their best hope for upward mobility. Literature related to three themes is reviewed and discussed: (a) the history and significance of class divisions within the Black community, (b) experiences of educational institutions as entryways to upward mobility, and (c) the hidden costs of mobility. It is suggested that future research should address the intersection of gender with class and race, the relevance of class to racial identity, and the experience of downward mobility among Black Americans .