Distinct Identities by Brown, Nadia E.; Gershon, Sarah Allen;

Short description:

The second edition of Distinct Identities continues to provide a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to the complexities of the politics, social structures, and cultural contexts that animate how women of color engage in and shape U.S. politics.

Long description:

The second edition of Distinct Identities continues to provide a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to the complexities of the politics, social structures, and cultural contexts that animate how women of color engage in and shape U.S. politics. Keeping the structure of the original volume, this text represents the diverse and innovative scholarship being conducted in this field while covering the core topics in gender politics.

What’s New:

• Chapters on queer women of color and the role of women of color and social movements.


• Chapters on the strategies that women of color use to run for office, where they run, political newcomers (Asian and Indigenous women).


• Chapters on the experiences of women of color office holders.


• Chapters on policy analysis and the media’s role in shaping the political agenda of women of color political elites.

Distinct Identities pushes the boundaries of traditional intersectional scholarship and responds to America’s rapidly diversifying demographics and political culture. It reflects cutting-edge scholarship and provides readers with insight into where the field of women of color politics will head in the coming years.

"The range of groups and methodological approaches encompassed in Distinct identities is unparalleled. This book is an essential volume for understanding the scope of intersectional research in political science today, and its potential for the future."

Christian Dyogi Phillips, University of Southern California

"Aimed at bringing new methods, approaches, and ideas to the important task of understanding the experiences of individuals with intersecting identities in our political system, this new edition of Distinct Identities offers a multitude of fresh, important, and nuanced research on how and when identity matters in politics. A ‘can’t miss’ addition to the literature."

Mirya R. Holman, PhD, Associate Professor, Political Science, Tulane University

"Once again, Professors Brown and Gershon curate an outstanding collection of research on gender and politics. The chapters demonstrate a diversity that reflects both a commitment to methodological pluralism and a deep engagement with a rich array of literature in the social sciences and humanities."

Ray Block Jr., Brown-McCourtney Career Development Professor in the McCourtney Institute, Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

"As the US population becomes more diverse, there is a growing need for scholarship that increases our understanding of the ways women of color’s multiple identities impact their political participation. The research in this volume delves into the unique experiences of Black, Asian American, Latina, MENA, and Native women to highlight their voice in areas from social movements to voting and officeholding. Illuminating the power of identity and intersectionality, the work is essential reading for students and scholars."

Michele Swers, Georgetown University

"Once again, this powerful volume provides a one-stop-shop for a broad and nuanced analysis of the influence of women of color on contemporary U.S. politics, political institutions, elections and the electorate. The rigorous yet accessible use of diverse theoretical perspectives and research methods to examine a host of research questions related to women of color in politics and policy makes this edition a must read, must cite as well as must assign in classes on American politics, Race, Ethnicity and Politics, Gender and Politics and many others courses."

Lorrie Frasure, PhD, MPP, Ralph J. Bunche Endowed Chair, Professor of Political Science and African American Studies, University of California, Los Angeles

"The political world of women of color is complex and dynamic. The second edition of Distinct Identities explores the avenues in which women of color politically lead and engage. Kudos to the editors bringing to the fore the political lives of women that is shaped by culture, identity and structures but also for elevating scholars who value an intersectional approach to political science."

Pearl K. Dowe, Ph.D, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Designee, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction  Part 1: Mass Behavior and Grassroots Mobilization  2. Same Qualifications, Different Identities: Evaluating Voter Perceptions by Candidate Sexuality, Race, and Gender  3. Black Lives Matter at the Intersection  4. Muslim Women in the United States and Experiences with Discrimination  5. Thinking Outside the (Ballot) Box: Analyzing the Political Creativity of Black Women-Led Organizations Mobilizing Voters In Baltimore  6. Pathways & Barriers: How Young Women of Color are Politicized in Chicago  Part 2: Running for Office: Ambition and Candidate Experiences  7. Asian Americans Making Waves in City Halls and Beyond  8. Talking the Talk: Lori Lightfoot on Policing and Violence in Chicago  9. From the Bench to the Ladder? Gendered Local Political Experience and Latina Success in State Legislatures  10. Asian American and Pacific Islander Women Leaders & Political Communication  11. Different Paths to Political Ambition Through Sports for Black and White Women  Part 3: Representation and Office Holding  12. Theorizing Kamala Harris  13. Sí, Ella Puede! Social Movements, Community Activism, and Latina Legislative Leadership  14. The Phenomenon of Autocannibalism and Black Women Judges’ On-the-Bench Experiences  15. Holding Office in Native America: The Policy Choices of Native Women Legislators  16. "I’m A Mother First": How Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ intersecting Identities Inform her Criminal Justice Reform Policies  17. The Squad Has Something to Say: Black and Latina Congressional Women, Twitter, and Representation during the Trump Era  18. A CROWN For All of Us: The Double Momentum Model of Policy Entrepreneurship