The Voluntary Associations of Negroes

Abstract

Negroes are more likely to be affiliated with formal voluntary associations than whites, especially at the lower-class level. However, Negroes who are affiliated with voluntary associations are much like whites who are affiliated. The more widespread affiliation of Negroes is seen as being pathological in Myrdal's terms. Negroes are active in associations because they are not allowed to be active in much of the other organized life of American society. The organizations of Negroes follow a pattern that is a generation behind the general American pattern. The greater affiliation of Negroes may be related to the looser ties that characterize the extended family structure of the Negro, especially the lower-class Negro. Finally, the voluntary association may function in much the same way as the Negro church to provide the Negro not only with an opportunity for self expression and status recognition, but also with an avenue to compete for prestige, to hold office, to exercise power and control, and to win applause and acclaim.