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GIS and Black Politics

2008 Ford Scholars Project Description

Description of the Project:

Tracing the multiple contours of Black politics has been an enduring research project, going back to the publication of Black Reconstruction by W.E.B. DuBois in 1935.  Conventionally, both census and public opinion research has been used to examine Black political movement and activism descriptively and analytically.  It is my goal to encourage students of black politics to incorporate analytic mapping as another methodological tool for understanding patterns of black migration (particularly following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita), shifting neighborhood dynamics (as cited by ethnographic researchers like William Julius Wilson and Mary Patillo), and as a complement to the rich empirical (survey and psychological data) that paints different shades of opinion and ideologies emanating from black civil society (Dawson 2002; Harris-Lacewell 2004).  This is of course not meant to replace other research efforts in the field, only to provide a different lens on the black public sphere.

I am in the early stages of research in this area and would like to use geographic information systems (GIS) to enrich my understanding of the changing dynamics of black political participation in the U.S.  This summer, I plan to complete a project already in process that will show the public’s “feelings” about the presidential candidates by region.  Using data from NORC at the University of Chicago and GIS mapping, I plan to show how warm or cool different regions are towards Clinton, Obama, Romney, and Giuliani, showing the correlations to gender, race, religion, and pro-choice attitudes.  

I also plan to bring GIS into the classroom, as a way to help enrich student knowledge about different racial communities, shifting economic patterns (consumerism and home ownership), and evaluating how different communities fair under black leadership.  GIS not only enhances student knowledge about macro trends in black political behavior, but also allows them to “see” changes at the micro/local level as well.  This summer, the Ford scholar and I will investigate five different cities that have experienced major shifts in population and economic growth, including Detroit, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Poughkeepsie.

Anticipated Summer Activities:

Together, the Ford scholar and I will learn GIS software with Vassar GIS specialist Meg Stewart, and will collaboratively look for ways to apply it to learning about black politics (for instance, we will possibly use it to see patterns of redistricting that affect the election of black candidates).  We will spend part of our time building a working bibliography on scholarship that already incorporates GIS in the field of political science.  We will also do extensive reading in the area of black politics (contemporary and classic works).  The Ford scholar will also collect maps to illustrate how GIS can be used to learn about the demographics of Poughkeepsie (racial and ethnic, economic, home owners/renters).  

Preferred Student Qualifications/Skills:

Some familiarity with GIS and some quantitative skills would be ideal.  Must be willing to learn GIS and develop some quantitative skills and interest in issues of Black politics.