Rev. Jesse Jackson on Arizona and Immigration

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies honored Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, with the 2010 Louis E. Martin Great American Award at its 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Washington, DC.

Jackson was recognized for more than a half-century of activism and leadership in the cause of human/civil rights and non-violent social change,

According to Joint Center CEO Ralph Everett, “Through his own example and especially his historic runs for the Presidency, Reverend Jackson perhaps did more than anyone else in our era to enlarge civic engagement and broaden public confidence in our system. He inspired and energized millions to greater involvement in their communities, in the political process and in determining their own futures. At the same time, he launched a national conversation on the possibility that a person of color could become President of the United States of America.”

This article was previously availabley at ebonyjet.com.

This guide discusses the range of participation by African Americans in the Democratic Party, the geographic and partisan dimensions of the black vote in recent years, and black voters' attitudes toward many issues that may be significant in the fall campaign. Detailed statistical tables and a discussion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention's black delegates and alternates make this guide a must-have resource for reporters, convention participants and scholars alike.

Click these links to access the insert Comparing the Candidates: Improving the Health of a Diverse America and the Roster of Black Democratic Convention Delegates.

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Publication date: August 2008

This guide discusses the range of participation by African Americans in the Republican Party, the geographic and partisan dimensions of the black vote in recent years, and black voters' attitudes toward many issues that may be significant in the fall campaign. Detailed statistical tables and a discussion of the 2008 Republican National Convention's black delegates and alternates make this guide a must-have resource for reporters, convention participants and scholars alike.

Click these links to access the insert Comparing the Candidates: Improving the Health of a Diverse America and the Roster of Black Republican Convention Delegates.

Available in PDF Format Only.

To download this publication, click the file icon below.

Publication date: August 2008

While African Americans do not believe global warming is one of the most pressing national problems the U.S. confronts, there is a widespread recognition of the problem of global warming among them, and a strong belief that the federal government should take steps to deal with it. There is also a fairly widespread understanding that there will be costs associated with dealing with global warming, but also a belief that the economics of dealing with global warming will present new opportunities for many, and that the country will be much better off if the government forthrightly begins the long process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, African Americans, when queried about their willingness — as individuals — to incur additional costs to deal with global warming, are reluctant to agree to even modest increases in their monthly outlays

The following is a brief review of some of the available evidence of what transpired on November 7, 2006, when the Democrats gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The black vote played a critical role in the outcome of a number of closely contested elections, especially for the U.S. Senate. In particular, this review focuses on the behavior and significance of African American voters in the 2006 midterm elections and on the changing number and profile of black candidates for federal and statewide offices, as well as their performance at the polls.

With the presidential primary season now in full swing, the significance of the African American vote, particularly in choosing the Democratic nominee, has become increasingly clear. While not particularly significant in the two states that traditionally go first in the process, Iowa and New Hampshire, the black vote will be critical in the primaries in Michigan (Jan. 15), South Carolina (Jan. 26), and Florida (Jan. 29). And on Feb. 5, when voters in states from New York to California cast their ballots, African American voters could determine the victors in several of the races.

Opportunities for African Americans have multiplied even as polarization lingers.

Good public policy must be paired with committed voluntary action.

This analysis is a brief review of some available evidence regarding the November 4, 2008 election. In particular, this review focuses on the election of President-elect Barack Obama, the behavior and significance of African American voters in the 2008 elections and the profiles of black candidates for federal office.

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Publication date: December 2008

Revisiting scenes of national trauma.