Going Home
Black Representatives and Their Constituents
9780226241319
9780226241302
9780226241326
Going Home
Black Representatives and Their Constituents
Thirty years ago there were nine African Americans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today there are four times that number. In Going Home, the dean of congressional studies, Richard F. Fenno, explores what representation has meant—and means today—to black voters and to the politicians they have elected to office.
Fenno follows the careers of four black representatives—Louis Stokes, Barbara Jordan, Chaka Fattah, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones—from their home districts to the halls of the Capitol. He finds that while these politicians had different visions of how they should represent their districts (in part based on their individual preferences, and in part based on the history of black politics in America), they shared crucial organizational and symbolic connections to their constituents. These connections, which draw on a sense of "linked fates," are ones that only black representatives can provide to black constituents.
His detailed portraits and incisive analyses will be important for anyone interested in the workings of Congress or in black politics.
Fenno follows the careers of four black representatives—Louis Stokes, Barbara Jordan, Chaka Fattah, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones—from their home districts to the halls of the Capitol. He finds that while these politicians had different visions of how they should represent their districts (in part based on their individual preferences, and in part based on the history of black politics in America), they shared crucial organizational and symbolic connections to their constituents. These connections, which draw on a sense of "linked fates," are ones that only black representatives can provide to black constituents.
His detailed portraits and incisive analyses will be important for anyone interested in the workings of Congress or in black politics.
272 pages | 2 tables | 6 x 9 | © 2003
Political Science: American Government and Politics, Race and Politics
Reviews
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. African American House Members and Representation
Change and Diversity
Inclusion, Influence and Linkage
Representation and the Home Perspective
Conceptualization: Process, Connections, Negotiation and Strategy
Elements of Strategy: Personal Goals, Constituency Contexts and Experiential Learning
The Study
2. Louis Stokes: 1970-1976
The Pioneer Cohort
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections
Organizational Connections and Experiential Learning
Personal Connections
Minority Connections
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
Institutional Career and Representation
Conclusion
3. Barbara Jordan: 1972-1973
Pioneer Cohort: Diversity
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Pre-Congressional Career
Constituency Context
Early Negotiations and Experiential Learning
Constituency Connections: The Campaign
Institutional Career and Representation
Postscript
Conclusion
4. Chaka Fattah: 1996-2001
The Contemporary Cohort
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections: The Dewey Street Award Program
Organizational Connections and Experiential Learning
Personal Connections
Institutional Career and Representation
Conclusion
5. Louis Stokes: Postscript, 1998
Representational Change
First Impressions
Constituency Context and Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections: Role Model
Organizational Connections: Party & Protection
Minority Connections
Institutional Career
6. Stephanie Tubbs Jones: 2000-2002
Succession
Pre-Congressional Career
Electoral Connections and The Succession
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Personal Connections
Policy Connections and Experiential Learning
Symbolic Connections
Organizational Connections
Institutional Career and Experiential Learning
Conclusion
7. Conclusion
Representation and Home
Change and Cohorts
Diversity and Personal Goals
Context and Policy Connections
Symbolic and Organizational Connections
Personal Connections
Negotiation and Learning
Institutional Careers and Home
Notes
Index
1. African American House Members and Representation
Change and Diversity
Inclusion, Influence and Linkage
Representation and the Home Perspective
Conceptualization: Process, Connections, Negotiation and Strategy
Elements of Strategy: Personal Goals, Constituency Contexts and Experiential Learning
The Study
2. Louis Stokes: 1970-1976
The Pioneer Cohort
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections
Organizational Connections and Experiential Learning
Personal Connections
Minority Connections
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
Institutional Career and Representation
Conclusion
3. Barbara Jordan: 1972-1973
Pioneer Cohort: Diversity
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Pre-Congressional Career
Constituency Context
Early Negotiations and Experiential Learning
Constituency Connections: The Campaign
Institutional Career and Representation
Postscript
Conclusion
4. Chaka Fattah: 1996-2001
The Contemporary Cohort
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections: The Dewey Street Award Program
Organizational Connections and Experiential Learning
Personal Connections
Institutional Career and Representation
Conclusion
5. Louis Stokes: Postscript, 1998
Representational Change
First Impressions
Constituency Context and Electoral Connections
Policy Connections
Symbolic Connections: Role Model
Organizational Connections: Party & Protection
Minority Connections
Institutional Career
6. Stephanie Tubbs Jones: 2000-2002
Succession
Pre-Congressional Career
Electoral Connections and The Succession
Personal Goals and Representational Strategy
Constituency Context
Personal Connections
Policy Connections and Experiential Learning
Symbolic Connections
Organizational Connections
Institutional Career and Experiential Learning
Conclusion
7. Conclusion
Representation and Home
Change and Cohorts
Diversity and Personal Goals
Context and Policy Connections
Symbolic and Organizational Connections
Personal Connections
Negotiation and Learning
Institutional Careers and Home
Notes
Index