African Americans’ Racial Resentment Toward Whites: Meaning, Measurement, and Theory

Abstract

Theories of whites’ racial resentment assume that anger and frustration direct their behavior in several aspects of politics, including policy positions and political judgements. Thus, examining racial resentment is consequential because it explains whites’ political behavior. This narrow racial focus ignores African Americans’ emotional reactions and frustrations about whites’ failures to live up to cherished values, like equality, justice, and respect. This research proposes a new theory and measurement of African Americans’ racial resentment. We provide preliminary findings for a new scale of African American racial resentment toward Whites. Results reveal strong psychometric scale properties, and convergence with a number of psychological predispositions, specific policy positions, and identity measures. The new scale provides opportunities to advance the scholarly understanding of racial attitudes and explain African American political behavior.

Keywords: Racial Resentment, African Americans, Values