Shared Identities: Intersectionality, Linked Fate, and Perceptions of Political Candidates

Abstract

Scholars of gender and race have long acknowledged the importance that descriptive representation plays for marginalized groups, if not substantively than symbolically. Yet, as candidate pools diversify to better reflect the population, it becomes less clear which among intersecting and overlapping identities will matter and how. Employing data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, we explore the association between minority voters’ sense of linked fate and their beliefs about candidates who share (or do not share) their gender and racial identities. Using this timely and unique data, collected immediately after the 2016 election when race and gender were of particular salience, we examine whether shared racial and gender identity is associated with Black and Latina/o voters’ beliefs about how well different candidates will represent their interests. We conclude by discussing the implications of our research for the changing face of American political candidates and voters.

Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and the Racialization of Attitudes Toward Descriptive Representation

“…For instance, we test whether wanting more diverse representation might be a result of either discrimination or sexist/stereotypical attitudes. Perceptions of discrimination against one's own racial or ethnic group are indicative of feelings of group threat (Schildkraut, 2017) and are generally-but not always-associated with an increase in support for descriptive representation (Bejarano et al, 2020;Manzano & Sanchez, 2010;Schildkraut, 2013Schildkraut, , 2017. We include separate measures of both personal discrimination (how much discrimination respondent personally faced because of their race or ethnicity), and perceived level of discrimination in the U.S. against women and Hispanics (discrimination of women, Hispanic discrimination; recoded 1= none at all to 5 = a great deal).…”

“…Recent studies suggest attitudes toward representation by women may also be shaped by race/ethnicity in important ways (Bejarano et al, 2020; Gershon et al, 2019; Matos et al, 2020; Sanbonmatsu, 2020). For example, across the population at large, support for descriptive representation may decrease when asking about “women of color” as opposed to just “women” (Sanbonmatsu, 2020).…”

“…Perceptions of linked fate reflect not only attitudes toward one’s own group, but may be a more general acknowledgment of institutional barriers to success for all those who are not members of the dominant group (Kam & Burge, 2019), and greater awareness of group-based differences (Gay et al, 2016). Although linked fate is not always political, there is a strong correlation between strength of linked fate and a preference for descriptive representation (Bejarano et al, 2020; Gay et al, 2016; Gershon et al, 2019; Manzano & Sanchez, 2010; McConnaughy et al, 2010; Schildkraut, 2013, 2016, 2017). In fact, a sense of linked fate with any marginalized group may be associated with increased support for descriptive representation by members of other marginalized groups, including gender as well as race/ethnicity (Bejarano et al, 2020).…”

“…Although linked fate is not always political, there is a strong correlation between strength of linked fate and a preference for descriptive representation (Bejarano et al, 2020; Gay et al, 2016; Gershon et al, 2019; Manzano & Sanchez, 2010; McConnaughy et al, 2010; Schildkraut, 2013, 2016, 2017). In fact, a sense of linked fate with any marginalized group may be associated with increased support for descriptive representation by members of other marginalized groups, including gender as well as race/ethnicity (Bejarano et al, 2020). While we do not have a specific measure of minority linked fate (Gershon et al, 2019), we are interested in exploring whether linked fate with one’s own ethnic group will be associated with increased support for representation not only by co-ethnics, but also by members of other racial/ethnic groups and women.…”

“Glass half full: cautious optimism and the future of Black women political elites in America”

“…Thus, we anticipate that the presence of Black women on the ballot––particularly with the announcement of Harris's candidacy––will increase political engagement among Black voters. New research suggests that voters display a positive orientation towards intersectional in-group candidates (Gershon et al ., 2019; Bejarano et al ., 2020). Coupled with the increased attention that Black women political elites pay to the specific issues that impact marginalized communities, these warm feelings toward Black women candidates may increase support for this popular within these communities.…”