Black Faces, Black Interests: Representation of African Americans in Congress - Tapa dura

"Black Faces, Black Interests is an interesting and timely examination of African-American representation in the United States Congress...This is a significant book that boldly broaches issues that have seriously divided the black community. Not only does it draw our attention to an overlooked topic in political science (the representational styles of African-American members of Congress), it also challenges the orthodox view that black political interests can best be represented by the creation of heavily packed, racial gerrymandered districts likely, if not certain, to elect minority MCs. Swain rejects this conclusion, arguing forcefully and optimistically not only that black interests can be represented well by white legislators, but also that black politicians can be elected from and serve well majority white districts. An important analysis in an area of growing scholarly debate and political controversy. Swain's book offers a critical counterpoint to the traditional arguments of voting rights advocates. Swain's commendable book raises fundamental questions...This is impressive work. -- Lee A. Daniels "Washington Post Book World" "Black Faces, Black Interests" is an interesting and timely examination of African-American representation in the United States Congress...This is a significant book that boldly broaches issues that have seriously divided the black community. Not only does it draw our attention to an overlooked topic in political science (the representational styles of African-American members of Congress), it also challenges the orthodox view that black political interests can best be represented by the creation of heavily packed, racial gerrymandered districts likely, if not certain, to elect minority MCs. Swain rejects this conclusion, arguing forcefully and optimistically not only that black interests can be represented well by white legislators, but also that black politicians can be elected from and serve well majority white districts. -- L. Marvin Overby "Public Choice" [Swain's] book offers a critical counterpoint to the traditional arguments of voting rights advocates.

How does Congress represent the interests of African Americans? Must blacks be represented by blacks to be properly heard? How do members of Congress respond to the needs of blacks in their districts, and what do congressional voting records reveal? Carol Swain examines the problems of representing the interests of African Americans by studying the constituency relations and roll-call voting of black members of Congress from a variety of districts: historically Black; newly Black; heterogeneous; and primarily White; and of white members from districts with either a black majority or a significant black minority. Included are analyses of well-known figures such as William Gray, Ron Dellums, Lindy Boggs and Peter Rodino, as well as others such as Mike Espy, Mississippi's first black member of Congress since Reconstruction, Robin Tallon, a white moderate from South Carolina who has succeeded in winning broad support among blacks, and Alan Wheat, a black serving a Missouri district that is 80 per cent White. What strategies, Swain asks, are most likely to lead to a greater representation of black interests? She challenges the proposition that only African Americans can represent black interests effectively, and shows that creating additional black-majority districts is in any case a limited possibility. She contends that an increase in the number of black representatives in the near future can come only from the election of blacks in predominantly non-black districts. In addition, she argues, blacks "must" form coalitions with white representatives to serve black needs. "Black Faces, Black Interests" is a contribution to our understanding of the capacity of the American political system to respond to the varied and complex interests of African Americans.