Politics In The New South: Representation Of African Americans In Southern State Legislatures

by Menifield, Charles E.; Shaffer, Stephen D.

• ISBN13: 9780791465325
• ISBN10: 0791465322
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-01
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr

Summary

This authoritative study of contemporary state legislatures in the South provides a fascinating account of how African Americans have achieved noticeable political power since the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. A history of racial discrimination and one-party Democratic dominance is being supplanted by African American empowerment in a competitive two-party system. Contributors examine the evolution of the Black Caucus, the growing number of African American lawmakers, and the rise of black legislators to important leadership positions in the legislatures of each of the southern states. Roll call data on key votes from several legislative sessions in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas are analyzed. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Tables	vii
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Southern Legislative Coalitions	1	(16)
Stephen D. Shaffer, Charles E. Menifield, Peter W. Wielhouwer and Keesha M. Middlemass
Chapter 2 African Americans in the Arkansas General Assembly: 1972-1999	17	(26)
Janine A. Parry and William Miller
Chapter 3 African Americans in the Contemporary Florida Legislature	43	(30)
Steven Tauber
Chapter 4 Black Representation in Georgia	73	(34)
Peter W. Wielhouwer and Keesha M. Middlemass
Chapter 5 Representation of African Americans in the Contemporary Mississippi Legislature	107	(24)
Stephen D. Shaffer and Charles E. Menifield
Chapter 6 Cohesiveness and Diversity among Black Members of the Texas State Legislature	131	(26)
Michelle G. Briscoe
Chapter 7 An Overview of African American Representation in Other Southern States	157	(22)
Charles E. Menifield, Stephen D. Shaffer and Brandi J. Brassell
Chapter 8 Politics in the New South: Looking Ahead	179	(22)
Charles E. Menifield, Stephen D. Shaffer and Barbara A. Patrick
References	201	(16)
About the Contributors	217	(4)
Index	221