The Politics of Being Afro-Latino/Latina: Ethnicity, Colorism, and Political Representation in Washington, D.C.

(Hardback)

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Historically, Afro-Latinos/as have been underrepresented in political offices in the District of Columbia. Isreal G. Mallard explores the social/racial factors that influence the political attitudes of Afro-Latino/a voters, the Latino voting community at-large, and political representatives. Also, the author examines factors such as ethnicity and pigmentocracy (skin-color) which play a role in electing an Afro-Latino/a to political office Washington, DC. Furthermore, he provides answers to address the social/racial factors that influence the electability of light-skin and dark-skin self-identified Afro-Latinos/as running for political office in Washington, DC. In addition, he discusses how social/racial factors influence the pathway to political office for self-identified Afro-Latinos/as. He uses a qualitative methodological approach which includes interview participants to provide answers to this study.

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In The Politics of Being Afro-Latino/Latina: Ethnicity, Colorism, and Political Representation in Washington, D.C., Isreal G. Mallard provides explanations for the inability of Afro-Latinos/as to win elective offices in the District of Columbia (D.C.). Yet, the book does more than this by examining the taboo subject of colorism and its impact on Afro-Latinos/as. In this book, Dr. Mallard explains its dominant role in the Afro-Latino/a community and its impact on DC politics. Through the usage of Racial Democracy Theory, Mallard provides an interesting, thoroughly researched, and compelling analysis that will force his readers to view to think about the way in which color both divides communities and disadvantages some candidates more than others.

Isreal G. Mallard's The Politics of Being Afro-Latino/Latina: Ethnicity, Colorism, and Political Representation in Washington, D.C. is a vibrant and compelling study that breaks ground on a history so relevant and timely that is currently in the making. Mallard finally visibilizes the roles (and struggles) of Afro-Latinos/Latinas who seek and attain public office in Washington D.C., and the pathways they are crafting to shape a more inclusive and diverse government. A must read!

Author Bio

Isreal G. Mallard works as an independent researcher in Afro-Latino/a Affairs.