#BlackLivesMatter put a much-needed spotlight on systemic racism against Black people. Yet, public support has been mixed & dwindling over time.
We investigated the determinants of BLM support (with @Tamara_Marques_ @LeticiaRMicheli).
#openaccess
🧵
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Our goals were to uncover main themes in the published literature, consolidate research findings & other available evidence (surveys, polls), pit predictors of BLM against one another, & explore differences across societal groups.
See alt-text for + info
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
In a systematic review, we identified 4 major themes in the literature:
1. Impacts of racial violence
2. Characteristics of BLM & public image
3. Influence of news media on public support
4. Supporters' political & psychological profiles
alt-text info👀
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
We consolidated empirical findings & clustered them into 5 categories:
1. Demographics
2. Race & Ethnicity
3. Partisanship & Ideology
4. Discrimination & Prejudice
5. Social Attitudes & Psychology
Blue: support | Red: lack of | Purple: non-significant.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Demographics were often inconsistent predictors of BLM support across studies while race/ethnicity, partisanship, and ideology were more reliable determinants of BLM endorsement.
This means whites, Republicans, & Conservatives typically opposed BLM.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
When it comes to psychology, low social dominance orientation, prejudice, and authoritarianism are all consistently associated with BLM support, as is positive intergroup contact, empathy for protestors, and acknowledging blacks are discriminated against.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
We then conducted a systematic multiple meta-analyses with 13 public opinion datasets (N=31,779) employing @RoperCenter to confirm the patterns found in the literature review & explore a wider range of predictors of BLM support.
See article/alt for deets
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Results corroborate the lit review: BLM support is negatively associated with age, being white, Republican, and conservative, and positively related with being female, African American, & believing Blacks experience police violence & discrimination.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
In addition, voting behavior and political attitudes display some of the largest effects.
In line with the "Great Replacement" theory, negative racial and immigrant attitudes are strongly related to BLM.
(See alt-text & also doi.org/10.1037/cou000…)
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
We explored differences in how sociopolitical cleavages may shape support for BLM.
Ideology cleaves support for BLM the most followed by party identification and race & ethnicity.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
We assessed which predictors are comparatively stronger (& robust to controls). In a multivariate setting, ideology (1st) and party identification (2nd) have the largest, most robust effect sizes, followed by race (Blacks versus others) and gender.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Overall, 27 predictors were significantly related to BLM support controlling for other variables at least once, suggesting BLM in America is a complex, multifaceted issue influenced by various competing and intersectional factors.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Concluding, there is a near-perfect correspondence between opposition to BLM and positive attitudes towards American institutions that are deeply rooted in systemic racism (e.g., the police, Republican Party, Conservatism).
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
Academically, we argue for greater appreciation of ideology in contemporary politics & contend that ideology matters as it underlies the legitimation of inequality & desire for societal change. Its inclusion in models of collective action is paramount.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
On a personal note, we initiated this project in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, to whom we dedicate this work. While this is an infinitely small contribution, we hope it advances the pursuit of racial equality & helps dismantle white supremacy.
doi.org/10.1017/S15375…
We would like to thank @bensaun @ntdPhD @Sam_D_Parsons @lmaia @LauritsBromme & @JohnJost1 for helpful comments as well as the editors @blackbruin Michael Bernhard @Boylan_Jen for their invaluable support at @PoPpublicsphere @CambridgeUP @APSAtweets.
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@bensaun @ntdPhD @Sam_D_Parsons @lmaia @LauritsBromme @JohnJost1 @blackbruin @Boylan_Jen @PoPpublicsphere @CambridgeUP @APSAtweets Tagging folks who may be interested in this work.
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