This volume is the second part of a two volume examination of the sociological and cultural impact derivative of Barack Hussein Obama's initial election and re-election as President of the United States. For some scholars and political pundits, the election of the first African-American president was thought to be the start of a post-racial era in the United States. His election/re-election has created a new racial dynamic within the nation. The Obama administration has faced unprecedented political challenges that have led to the deepening of racial divisions and a crystallization of multiple inequities within the country. The editors envision a volume highlighting a number of sociological themes within the following five primary foci: 1) an examination of the 2012 election; 2) the intersection of racial politics with new conservative and voting rights issues; 3) the intersection of race and class with sociocultural issues; 4) an examination of the international perspective of the Obama Administration in relationship to the African Diaspora; and 5) an exploration of the potential for multiracial coalitions and social movements to bring about positive structural change.

21st Century Urban Race Politics begins by offering a twenty-first-century understanding of minority representation in historically majority-Caucasian cities and draws on case studies in cities throughout the United States. The aim of this volume is to take stock of what we know about the advantages and disadvantages of the "racialized" and "deracialized" approaches to governance and to describe a third approach, the "universalized interest approach." The authors argue that minority elected officials, when given the power and resources to do so, often do more than represent constituent interests without acknowledging the representation of members of their racial/ethnic group in urban communities. Contributors describe how mayors of various backgrounds have sought to represent minority interests in electoral and governing contexts. In each case, the mayors are found to represent minority interests. In most cases, the representation of minority interests is accomplished without deemphasizing the significance of race and as the mayor maintains support from whites within their electoral and governing coalitions. With case studies from across the country, in medium-sized and large cities, and mayors of various backgrounds, the volume provides a vivid account of how different minority mayors have handled minority representation in historically majority Caucasian cities and what lessons academics and politicians can learn from them.

This volume provides the first in-depth examination of the impact of the key sociological issues faced by the new Obama Administration and explores conventional topics on race and ethnic relations as well as delving into new areas of intellectual inquiry regarding the changing scope of race relations in a global context. Leading scholars look at: African/American relations through the prism of American and African scholars; the connection between religion, Obama the individual and Obama the President; how the Obama election and presidency have implications for gender identity and sexual politics in the short and long term; the impact the Obama family and their presence in the White House have on existing ideas about the concept of family and related issues; implications for class relations in the United States; specific aspects of the American educational system; social justice issues with an emphasis on understanding their sociological context in relationship to the Obama Administration; and the reaction to Michele Obama as First Lady; and; the Tea Party movement and other conservative anti-Obama groups. In addition, the volume examines the 2008 Presidential Election, with emphasis on Obama's road to success.

Scholars have sought, over many decades, to understand the mystique surrounding Booker T. Washington. He is an enigma and continues to be lauded by those who offer him and his ideas as a model for Black Progress. He was both simple and complex; a passive observer on some issues and an active participant in others; non-assuming, yet egoistic, and a very public man who talked freely with others, yet, a private man who kept certain social tactics and strategies close to his chest. He sought to both make sense of his world, then to manipulate that world in order to obtain from it those things he most wanted and needed.
This volume provides the reader with a wide inter-disciplinary landscape with which to assess Washington. We continue to study and research the life and works of Washington because, though we???ve moved beyond Washington and the ideology of race and racial politics of his times on certain levels, yet in reality, this generation is confronted with all the contradictions and ambiguities around race, and class, which Washington encountered and for which he sought solutions. For example, as black Americans continue to be mired in the deficits of educational opportunity and development, employment opportunities and occupational advancements, and health and medical problems, we are reminded of Washington??'s arguments for greater individual and group black self-sufficiency and self-reliance, as well as the need for practical educational objectives which Washington advocated under aegis of vocational education. As we move into the new century, the economic and educational goals and programs highlighted by Washington remain forgotten and unfulfilled. Hopefully, the articles inthis volume will force a re-thinking of Washington??'s economic and educational objectives and strategies. This may prompt the emergence of new thinkers and builders who will create the educational and economic bases, similar to the ones created by Washington.
*Uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine Washington's life
*Reflects on obstacles that remain despite Washington's influence
*Aspires to serve as an inspirational vehicle towards educational and economic change

This volume of "Research in Race and Ethnic Relations" analyzes the pattern of assimilation and incorporation among the Hispanic population in the Washington DC metro region. Following a comprehensive introduction looking at theoretical and policy implication, the book consists of two conceptual chapters discussing the literature of ethnic incorporation and assimilation in urban regions, one chapter analyzing demographic trends among the Hispanic population, and four chapters analyzing different issues related to assimilation, in particular the nature entrepreneurialship, civic engagement, political participation, and education among migrants. This book makes a considerable contribution to the literature of emerging gateways in the field of migration and urban development with articles from notable academics and public policy analysts in their respective fields. It is the only comprehensive study of its kind concerning Hispanic migration to the Washington DC region (the majority of other studies in the field are based on data from major metropolitan cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles).