African American Tea Party Supporters

Kirk A. Johnson is associate professor of sociology and African American studies at the University of Mississippi.

Why do a very small minority of black Americans support the Tea Party, a movement of agitated white people with suspect and often outwardly racist motives? And should we care? Kirk Johnson seeks an answer by interviewing 30 black Tea Party members and he is surprised by what he finds. This is a brave book. Yes, Johnson exposes more than a bit of misinformation and prejudice. But in his sociological presentation black Tea Party members come alive as mostly nuanced, thoughtful, and principled—and not as racist or duped. This book made me think.

• Chapter One: How “Black” Are They? Black Tea Partyers Talk about Race Chapter Two: Does it Run in the Family? The Making of a Black Tea PartyerChapter Three: “Personal Responsibility”—Panacea or Placebo?Chapter Four: Our First Muslim President? Black Tea Partyers Weigh in on ObamaChapter Five: Is this a Real Invitation? African Americans Come to the Tea Party