Race still Matters: African American Lived Experiences in the Twenty-First Century
Edited by Yuya Kiuchi
What does it mean to be African American in the twenty-first century? How does race affect African Americans? What still needs to be changed? This edited volume reveals that so-called post-racial society has yet to come. This, for some of us, is an obvious observation. But for many, it is a surprise. They may say, “I voted for Obama,” “I listen to hip hop,” and “My best friend is Black.” Furthermore, many college students blindly believe what their parents and teachers have told them: racism is a thing of the past, race no longer matters, and the U.S. is truly a land of equality. This gentrified, optimistic, and idealistic portrayal of American society has been a useful discourse, especially in the last decade when national unity and patriotism offered comfort to many. But when we look at the reality, from economics, to education, to health care, and to many other facets of life, statistics show that consequences of slavery, segregation, and racism continue to affect African American lives.
Essays compiled in this volume will examine various aspects of African American experiences of the twenty-first century to generate a holistic overview of African American lives. This study does not intend to undervalue what activists in the past have achieved. Rather, it attempts to check and reveal status quo, and to suggest what needs to be done. Contributors may focus on topics such as:
– African American residential experiences
– African Americans in systemic racism
– African Americans and affirmative action
– African American experiences in sports
– African Americans and education
– African Americans in popular culture
– African American and economics and/or finance
– African Americans and law enforcement
– African Americans and class
– African Americans and political participation
– African Americans and occupational opportunities
– African Americans and romantic relationships
– African Americans and healthcare
– African Americans and digital divide
– African Americans and youth
– African American experiences in current affairs
– African Americans and hate crimes
Authors should focus on a specific topic. This list is not exclusive. The editor welcomes suggestions and ideas for other categories of topics from interested contributors.
Submission Guidelines
Submit a 500-word abstract, a tentative chapter title, and a one-page resume by April 20, 2013, directly to Dr. Yuya Kiuchi at dr.yuya.kiuchi@gmail.com (preferably in Microsoft Word). Acceptance notifications will be sent out electronically by April 30, 2013. The full-length draft (5,000-10,000 words) will be due on August 15, 2013.
Submissions must be double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font and include Bibliography. Please use American English accessibly to both academic and general audience. To minimize future editorial work, use the active voice, third person, and endnotes. For documentation and style, please refer to the Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition). Please use the Documentation I style (notes and bibliography) and NOT the Documentation II style (author-date references).
Accepted authors will be responsible for acquiring permissions for any images or other elements that may present copyright issues. A signed copyright release must also accompany the final manuscript to ensure that the copyright of all essays remain with the project.
Please send questions to dr.yuya.kiuchi@gmail.com.
Yuya Kiuchi 