Dr. Sharon Austin, Director of the African American Studies Program and Associate Professor of Political Science, recently published her third book. The State University of New York at Albany Press published The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America in February 2018. The book examines the political participation and social relationships among African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Haitians, and West Indians in Boston, Chicago, Miami, and New York City. In each of these cities, the population of Caribbean immigrants has grown over the last few decades in cities where African Americans have struggled to gain political power historically. Dr. Austin’s research assesses whether the growth of these “black ethnic” populations will enhance or hamper efforts for African American political growth. Her former student, Nathan A. Murray, developed and painted the cover for the book. For examples of his work, see http://www.nathanamurray.com/.
