ETHNORACIAL EXCLUSION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Abstract

The research reported in this issue of the Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race spans a robust timeline stretching from the inception of racial categories in medieval times to the very recent and ongoing debate about the role of affirmative action in the United States. A reach of such long dure gives us greater purchase on how the politics of race, racialization, and exclusion have developed over time. In some respects, the articles contained in this issue channel a Marxian interpretation of policy with a racial twist. That is, that policy is an instrument or tool of the dominant racial group used to leverage resources in its direction as to maintain its dominant position in the social hierarchy However, the research presented within this issue is not uniform with respect to the desired impact of policies. The work is bifurcated by intentionality, and some policies discussed in this issue reached their intended goal while others resulted in unintended or unanticipated consequences Furthermore, the results of these policies have led to political distrust, causing further retreat by racially marginalized groups from political participation. This retreat has widened the gulf between the politically excluded ethnoracial groups and their means of achieving greater equity through public policy.