RESIDENTIAL CONTEXT AND RACIAL SOLIDARITY AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Theory: As the ''structural linchpin'' of American race relations, res idential segregation has important implications for blacks' and whites ' thinking about race. Considered here is the impact of residential co ntext-living in predominantly black or racially heterogeneous neighbor hoods in the city or the suburbs-on feelings of racial solidarity amon g black Americans. Hypotheses: The social density hypothesis predicts stronger racial solidarity among blacks who live in the city and in pr edominantly black neighborhoods. The social salience hypothesis predic ts stronger solidarity among suburbanites and residents of racially mi xed neighborhoods. The identity supremacy hypothesis predicts no relat ionship between residence and sense of racial solidarity. Methods: Reg ression analysis of survey data for a subsample of black urbanites and suburbanites in the Detroit metropolitan area. Results: The statistic al results are most consistent with the social density hypothesis. The conclusion centers on the possible implications of black suburbanizat ion and changing levels of racial solidarity among blacks.