Black Identities: West Indian Dreams and American Realities.Black Identities: West Indian West In·dies An archipelago between southeast North America and northern South America, separating the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean and including the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahama Islands. Dreams and American Realities by Mary C. Waters Harvard University Press The Harvard University Press is a publishing house, a division of Harvard University, that is highly respected in academic publishing. It was established on January 13, 1913. In 2005, it published 220 new titles. , February 2000 $35.00, ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 0-674-00067-6 Waters, a sociologist, gives an excellent analysis of West Indians in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. . Relying on over 200 life history interviews of West Indian immigrants, second-generation West Indians, African Americans African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. , and whites, Waters examines the dynamics of West Indian life from multiple points of view. The result is a comprehensive discussion, in nine well-organized chapters, of one of the fastest growing segments of the city's black population. Waters' study is organized around a few key issues: identity formation, work and achievement, and the present and future role of the second generation. By combining a considerable knowledge of sources, previous research, and life history interviews, Waters is able to show the complex identity choices West Indians face in America. Depending on context this cultural group may identify themselves as "blacks" (though not necessarily as Americans understand the term), as West Indians, or through national identity (e.g., Jamaicans). Situating her interviews in the schools and in the workplace--two locations central to West Indian immigrant life--allows Waters to explore West Indians' notoriously strong drive to succeed and Americans' perception of them and their ambition. At the same time, she demonstrates that there is a dark side to West Indian life; in creating a distinct identity, they may stereotype stereotype (stĕr`ĕətīp'), plate from which printing is done, made by casting metal in a mold, usually of paper pulp. The process was patented in 1725 by the Scottish inventor William Ged. outsiders--especially African Americans. Moreover, while some of the best students in the schools Waters studied were West Indians, so were some of the worst. As Waters shows, the children of some West Indian immigrants--primarily those of working class origin--experience downward mobility in America, and this bodes ill for the immediate future. Still, Black Identities is well-written, free of academic jargon and should appeal to a wide range of readers, from nonspecialists to professionals seeking an understanding of a population that is poised to become ever more important to African America in the future. Prof. Vickerman is a member of in the Sociology Department Noun 1. sociology department - the academic department responsible for teaching and research in sociology department of sociology academic department - a division of a school that is responsible for a given subject at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. |
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