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Abstract

Using data from the 1996 National Black Election Study, this study examines the extent of non-electoral activism in the post—civil rights era. Specifically looking at attending a political rally, signing a petition, attending a protest, and participating in picketing and boycotting, the author finds that membership in organizations with an African American—focused agenda and membership in community-based organizations are important facilitators of non-electoral activism among Blacks. An important finding is that, in the modern context, religiosity in the African American community works to suppress non-electoral political involvement. These findings are important because they suggest that the historical image of the Black church as an incubator of an oppositional political culture is no longer accurate.

Keywords

protest activism demonstrations picketing African American community

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Shall We March On?

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