disadvantaged position, black women may more readily identify with those who experience discrimination (Gay and Tate 1998). Based on this research, we expect that… H2: Black female representatives will be more likely than black male, white female, and white male representatives to use hashtags focusing on racial issues relevant to black women. While we expect black women to be especially active in using hashtags targeting black women’s interests, we expect black men to focus their attention on racial issues centered on black men. Similar to the ways in which black female representatives identify with the challenges black women confront, black male legislators may be especially cognizant of the issues that disproportionately affect black men. For instance, compared to other demographic groups, black men face a higher risk of incarceration, and they tend to be less educated (Blumstein 2015, Ocen 2013). Butler (2013) describes these unique circumstances as black male exceptionalism. Butler (2013) notes that politicians, and in particular black male politicians, are generally more likely to introduce Male Achievement” programs to address these racial “Black inequities which often ignore women of color. Along the same lines, Robnett (1997) points out that black men active in the Civil Rights Movement were more likely to focus on black men’s interests than issues that would largely benefit black women. In combination, previous research demonstrates that black male leaders often prioritize black male issues. male leaders’ higher likelihood of speaking out for individuals who share their race and gender may be tied to their perceived connections to other black males (Simien 2006). If black men feel greater ties to those who share their race and gender, they may feel a greater responsibility to speak out on their behalf. As a result, we expect that… H3: Black male representatives will be more likely than black female, white female, and white male representatives to use hashtags focusing on racial issues relevant to black men.
disadvantaged position, black women may more readily identify with those who experience discrimination (Gay and Tate 1998). Based on this research, we expect that… H2: Black female representatives will be more likely than black male, white female, and white male representatives to use hashtags focusing on racial issues relevant to black women. While we expect black women to be especially active in using hashtags targeting black women’s interests, we expect black men to focus their attention on racial issues centered on black men. Similar to the ways in which black female representatives identify with the challenges black women confront, black male legislators may be especially cognizant of the issues that disproportionately affect black men. For instance, compared to other demographic groups, black men face a higher risk of incarceration, and they tend to be less educated (Blumstein 2015, Ocen 2013). Butler (2013) describes these unique circumstances as black male exceptionalism. Butler (2013) notes that politicians, and in particular black male politicians, are generally more likely to introduce “Black Male Achievement” programs to address these racial inequities which often ignore women of color. Along the same lines, Robnett (1997) points out that black men active in the Civil Rights Movement were more likely to focus on black men’s interests than issues that would largely benefit black women. In combination, previous research demonstrates that black male leaders often prioritize black male issues. male leaders’ higher likelihood of speaking out for individuals who share their race and gender may be tied to their perceived connections to other black males (Simien 2006). If black men feel greater ties to those who share their race and gender, they may feel a greater responsibility to speak out on their behalf. As a result, we expect that… H3: Black male representatives will be more likely than black female, white female, and white male representatives to use hashtags focusing on racial issues relevant to black men.
WPSA%202016_Coulter%20Stout%20Edwards.docx