Analyzing ethnoracial mobilization

Abstract

This article examines scholarship about ethnoracial mobilization written by sociologists within the subfields of social movements and race and racism. We situate our synthesis within critiques put forward by other scholars about the treatment of ethnoracial movements within the social movement subfield. Using these critiques as launching points, we find two broad patterns in the literature: (a) a focus on ethnoracial social movements that decenters race, at times treating it as an independent variable and (b) a focus on mobilizations for racial equity that treats race as a dynamic and constructed process. Within the latter focus, we note research that investigates ethnoracial mobilization at the macro‐, meso‐, and micro‐levels. We call for more research on movements that specifically consider the mobilization and construction of ethnoracial identities. In doing so, we provide a conceptual map of the field and make suggestions for how social movement scholars employing distinct theoretical foci can engage in ethnoracial analysis. Finally, we hypothesize why there might be a dearth of research within the social movement subfield that engages in critical analysis of ethnoracial dynamics of social movements.

Beyond Gun Control: Mapping Gun Violence Prevention Logics

“…The critical criminology and law and society literatures recognize the link between racist ideologies, particularly how racist stereotypes of black criminality (Muhammad 2011) and the material legacy of segregation and institutional racism shape the criminal justice system (e.g., Alexander 2012;Cazenave 2018). Unfortunately, the social movements literature is largely missing a robust ethno-racial understanding of contemporary social movements-a deficit that can render these systems invisible (Reyes and Ragon 2018). Cultural meaning systems go hand in hand with neoliberal economic policies to produce mass incarceration and it is impossible to understand one without the other.…”

“…We begin by explaining how the MIP model and our concept MSL can be used to understand the scope of GVP activism. The social movements literature has been broadly critiqued for failing to adequately theorize how racism influences social movements (Oliver 2017;Reyes and Ragon 2018) and we suggest that the theoretical assumptions and methodological choices shaping existing work are partially responsible for these incomplete portrayals. We identify and compare the goals and strategies of reform and intervention organizations, stressing the MSLs motivating these change efforts.…”

(Re)theorizing civic engagement: Foundations for Black Americans civic engagement theory

“…First, by studying civic engagement through Black oluntary organizations in particular, we are able to further understand the mesolevels and microlevels of racialized dynamics (Oliver, 2017;Rosino, 2016). Second, we are able to recenter the importance of race in social movement theorizing and mobilization through racialized organizations (Bracey, 2016;Reyes & Ragon, 2018).…”

“…First, by studying civic engagement through Black oluntary organizations in particular, we are able to further understand the mesolevels and microlevels of racialized dynamics (Oliver, ; Rosino, ). Second, we are able to recenter the importance of race in social movement theorizing and mobilization through racialized organizations (Bracey, ; Reyes & Ragon, ). Future theorists need to further engage in future questions surrounding civic action within Black communities that has latent social movement effects (Haynes & Solovitch, ).…”

Once in Parkland, a Year in Hartford, a Weekend in Chicago: Race and Resistance in the Gun Violence Prevention Movement

“…In line with Oliver's (2017) critique of social movements research (see also Reyes and Ragon 2018), the scant research on the GVP movement ignores organizing efforts by urban communities of color (e.g., Carter et al 2017;Goss 2006;Rothschild 2019). Goss (2006) explains how the poor organizing choices of the gun control movement, rather than the strength of the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the gun lobby, kept the movement from becoming what could be recognized as a viable social movement.…”