Special Topics in Political Science (390-0-24)
Topic
Asian Americans, Latinos, and Black Protest
Instructors
Julie Lee Merseth
847/467-0276
Meeting Info
University Hall 101: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This course explores the promises and pitfalls of cross-racial political solidarity in the contemporary United States by examining the response of Asian American and Latino communities to Black protest. Topics include histories of cross-racial, multi-ethnic political activism in the U.S., foundations of anti-Blackness and beliefs about anti-Black racism among Asian Americans and Latinos, and how Latino and Asian communities in the U.S. responded to the racial uprisings of 2020 led by Black protest against police violence and systemic racism in the U.S. and globally.
Learning Objectives
Critically engage with theories and evidence related to anti-Blackness, anti-Black racism, and cross-racial political solidarity in the contemporary United States
Examine sources of heterogeneity within and across Asian American and Latino communities (e.g., ethnic/national origin, nativity, immigrant generation, citizenship status, legal status, language, class, gender, sexuality, age, religion) and their impact on cross-racial, multi-ethnic political activism
Analyze the political responses of Latinos and Asian Americans to Black protest and the racial uprisings of 2020
Teaching Method
Seminar
Class Materials (Required)
Hernández, Tanya KaterÃ. 2022. Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality. Beacon Press.
Kim, Claire Jean. 2023. Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World. Cambridge University Press.
*Additional articles, book chapters, and other assigned readings will be available via the Northwestern Libraries website or posted to the course website (Canvas).