The Sociology of African American Patriotism

This book offers a sociological examination of the reasons why African Americans feel love toward their country in spite of continuing to perceive or experience racial prejudice and discrimination against themselves and other African Americans. Dr. Ishio conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews with college-educated African Americans in Texas between 2014 and 2015. The main conclusion of this study is that contradictory trends marked by persistent racism and racial progress, combined with the effects of Christian faith/practice fostered in the Black Church and the effects of foundational principles of the United States, have molded a distinctive form of patriotism among African Americans for whom this country is their homeland. This book presents an insightful analysis by a Japanese sociologist. Every important finding in this book is supported by interviewees’ statements, making it easy for readers to follow the points being made and to understand African Americans’ perspectives. Numerous interviewees’ statements are judiciously inserted so that readers can virtually “hear” interviewees’ voices describing their experiences and views. A unique study of African Americans and their feelings of patriotism, it will appeal to scholars and researchers with interests in the sociology of race and ethnicity, Black studies, and the sociology of religion.