“There isn’t one way to be black”: Exploring ethnic self-identities among second-generation Ethiopian adults in the United States

Abstract

The study examines how second-generation Ethiopian adults in the United States construct and navigate their ethnic self-identities. Drawing on survey and interview data from 51 participants across major U.S. metropolitan areas, the research reveals a spectrum of self-identifications—including Ethiopian American, Ethiopian, “just American,” and various pan-ethnic labels such as Ethiopian African American and African American. Participants described their identities as situational and fluid, shaped by personal experiences, family influences, community context, and broader societal dynamics. The findings challenge the notion of a monolithic Black identity, where all individuals, regardless of their background, are fundamentally perceived and classified as African American. This is demonstrated by the fact that Black immigrants and their descendants pursue various ethnic identities and paths of assimilation, even when faced with external pressures to lump them as African Americans. This diversity highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of Blackness in America—one that acknowledges the interplay between history, cultural heritage, individual agency, and structural context. The study’s insights contribute to ongoing debates about race, ethnicity, and belonging in the United States and have implications for policy and future research on second-generation immigrant identities.