Melvin L. Oliver

INTERETHNIC MINORITY CONFLICT IN URBAN AMERICA: THE EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISLOCATIONS

This paper draws attention to a newly emerging type of intergroup conflict occurring among members of nonwhite ethnic minority groups (i.e., blacks, Hispanics, and Asians) in U.S. cities. Case-study materials from Los Angeles and other large cities are used to establish interconnections among the underlying economic and sociopolitical forces and to show how these forces have precipitated specific instances of interethnic conflict over housing jobs, and other valued resources in formerly all-black urban communities. The results indicate that the occurrence of interethnic minority conflict in most US. cities has been limited to isolated incidents involving hostile verbal exchanges and group-based protest and boycotts by blacks against newly arriving immigrant entrepreneurs. Most recently, however, interethnic minority conflict in Miami became violent following the deaths of two black youths at the hands of a Hispanic police officer. It is concluded that the potential is great for interethnic minority confli...

Brown and black in white: The social adjustment and academic performance of Chicano and black students in a predominately white university

This article explores the academic and social experiences of Chicago and black students at UCLA. The analysis proceeds by examining differences in social backgrounds, high school and college experiences, and explores the relationship between these factors and college adjustment and achievement (GPA). Drawing upon recent theory on class reproduction and schooling we show particular concern with the role of social class in explaining differential outcomes. The findings indicate that blacks are more likely than Chicanos to feel alienated and perform poorly, and that social class makes no difference in these outcomes for blacks. However, middle class Chicanos perform better and are better adjusted than working class Chicanos. We discuss our findings in the light of theories of class reproduction, cultural capital, and racial signaling, suggesting that theories of reproduction must acknowledge the role of race in unequal school outcomes.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTOURS OF DEEPENING URBAN INEQUALITY: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS AND RESEARCH DESIGN OF A MULTI-CITY STUDY

Funded principally by the Ford Foundation and the Russell Sage Foundation, the Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality (MCSUI)—a primary data gathering initiative undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of social and behavioral scientists—is designed to advance our knowledge and understanding of the forces responsible for the growing schism between the haves and the have-nots in urban America over the last two decades. This paper highlights the studys research design and sampling frame, identifies the types of research and policy issues that will be addressed with the data collected, and discusses the significance and expected outcomes of the research.

The effect of network density and homogeneity on attitude polarization

This paper analyzes data from the 1985 General Social Survey to determine if network homogeneity and density magnify social and political attitude differences between racial, gender, educational and religious categories. Network heterogeneity and density both have the predicted effect on attitude differences. The results vindicate the continued interests of social scientists in the role of social networks in the development and transmission of political attitudes.

Race and wealth

One of the most heated scholarly controversies in the area of racial equality and social justice in the 1980s has been the dispute over the nature, cause, and meaning of economic changes occurring within the black community. Although this debate has important public policy consequences, most of the research on which the debate is based is concerned with income. We argue that a broader interpretation of life chances should include an examination of wealth as well as income. Using the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), we examine black and white patterns of wealth inequality. Our analysis uncovers a depth of inequality beyond that which is found when income alone is considered. Furthermore, we find that both race and class are important in determining patterns of racial inequalities in wealth.

Urban Poverty and Social Welfare Policy in the United States: An Undergraduate Research/Training Programme.

Abstract A new, interdisciplinary, research and training programme focusing on urban poverty and social welfare policy in the USA has been established recently at UCLA. This paper describes the structure and organisation of the programme, assesses student reactions and experiences and discusses the importance of major research universities encouraging faculty to develop training of this type.