Ethnic identification among blacks and whites

Abstract

Two central questions drive this research: (1) Are there trends in ethnic identification among blacks and whites; and (2) Are there meaningful differences between groups that identify differently? I use descriptive and regression analysis to investigate these questions. The identity groups I compare are 'unhyphenated' whites vs. ethnic whites, substantively ethnic whites vs. symbolically ethnic whites, and African-American vs. other blacks. Considering a study period of 22 years, I find trends for all groups. Trends are toward identifying as symbolically ethnic white and African-American. There are two trends for 'unhyphenated' white identification: first, toward identifying as 'unhyphenated' white at lower education levels and, second, away from identifying as 'unhyphenated' white at higher education levels. Socioeconomic status is the strongest descriptor for any of the three sets of ethnic identity groups. African-Americans, ethnic whites, and substantively ethnic whites tend to have higher levels of education, income and occupational prestige than the groups to which they are compared. Only the 'unhyphenated' white group has characteristics other than SES that are significantly different from the characteristics for others in their racial group.