APSA Resources on Systemic Racism & Social Justice
Political scientists have long examined the linkages between race, power, governance, social injustice and oppression. This scholarship has made an invaluable contribution to our discipline and to public discourse. It has illuminated the sources and structures of systemic racism, pervasive inequality and human rights abuses in the United States, as well as the resulting social, political, and public policy consequences. Below is a collection of resources and scholarly work from political scientists and a variety of other sources, that we hope you will engage. Additionally, we have provided access to articles from the journals of the American Political Science Association that address these important questions.
This project arose as a means to acknowledge the issues and debates that have re-surfaced into the public discourse as a result of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of police, and the resulting protests and civil debates about social justice, race, systemic racism and public policy. With the understanding that these social, political, and economic themes predate the events and protests in Minneapolis, MN and the protests around globe. The goals of this project are to: 1) Highlight the range of scholarly expertise and contributions of political scientists whose research and public engagement addresses these important topics, 2) Identify a diverse array of political science resources that can be brought to bear to assist students and faculty in the classroom and the public the better understand and dialogue about these issues in a constructive way, and 3) Acknowledge and appreciate that these themes are core and essential to the study of political science.
The resource page is divided into five key sections, as described below. While the resource page is not meant to be comprehensive, it is dynamic and inclusive. As we learn of new resources from our members and staff, we will update the page.