African American Identity is a must-read for anyone seeking a scholarly understanding of racial/ethnic identity of Black folks. In one volume, Sullivan and Esmail bring together noteworthy scholars across various disciplines, as well as new scholars. The writings are stimulating and provocative and extend the debate about the conceptualization and measurement of Black identity, as well as its applications across disciplines, sociology, medicine, psychology, and political science.

Beverly Vandiver, Penn State University

Sullivan and Esmail have edited one of the most impressive volumes on African American identity in recent memory. The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of the book, combined with contributions from established scholars as well as emerging scholars in the field, make this book a unique and indispensable reference for scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners interested in better understanding how racial identity impacts the lives of African Americans.

Kevin Cokley, University of Texas at Austin

African American Identity: Racial and Cultural Dimensions of the Black Experiencehas an especially strong applied focus. Community and religious leaders, health interventionists, and educators will find ideas for programmatic interventions.Scholars of Black racial identity will be very interested in this volume, which provides a much-needed window onto the diverse theories, measurement strategies, and findings with respect to Black racial identity. Sullivan and Esmail’s book represents a beginning in corralling and integrating this important literature.

PsycCRITIQUES

The impressive group of researchers Sullivan (political science and African American studies, Louisiana State Univ.) and Esmail (social sciences, Walden Univ.) assembled present up-to-date qualitative and quantitative explorations of the multidimensional construct of African American racial and cultural identity. The chapters in part 1 review the theoretical evolution of the construct and measurement instruments that help clarify underlying factors of identity development and its influence on everyday life. The chapters in the remaining four parts report current research on the association of racial identity and psychological well-being, physical health, parenting, and educational behaviors. Although the book focuses on African American identity, the theoretical perspectives serve for other ethnic and racial identities. Presenting a well-rounded review of theories and their application, the book will help readers understand the development, reproduction, and influence of racial identity on the lives of African Americans. Specialists examining identity will find this a useful review of theory and method, a resource that highlights the associations between aspects of African American identity and everyday outcomes. The book should inspire scholars to consider new avenues of research. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice Reviews