Latinx and Black young adults’ pathways to civic/political engagement.

Abstract

Objectives: Latinx and Black young adults' experiences with the U.S. political system have been contentious. Despite this, they utilize psychological strengths, such as their critical consciousness (CC), to participate in the political process. This research explored relations between CC (e.g., critical reflection of social inequality and voting likelihood) and forms of civic/political engagement (e.g., sociopolitical action and social media engagement) among Latinx and Black young adults. Method: Measurement invariance (MI) tests and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used with Latinx (N ϭ 354, M age ϭ 26.08, SD ϭ 5.03) young adults who were slightly predominately male (55.1%) and Black American young adults (N ϭ 160, M age ϭ 25.84, SD ϭ 4.98) who were slightly predominately female (52.5%). Results: MI results indicated measures were not invariant (i.e., they were measured differently) across groups. Therefore, the hypothesized model was examined separately for groups. SEM analyses suggested both groups' critical reflection positively predicted voting likelihood and sociopolitical action. For Latinx young adults, voting likelihood mediated the relation between critical reflection and social media engagement. Black young adults' voting likelihood was unrelated to sociopolitical action and social media engagement. Alternative models examined bidirectional relations between CC and civic/political engagement. Conclusions: Findings suggest civic/political engagement pathways differ for Latinx and Black young adults. However, fostering critical reflection has the potential to stimulate both groups' intent to vote and sociopolitical action.

Recentering Action in Critical Consciousness

“…Additionally, this sense of agency, or political efficacy, is believed to link critical reflection to critical action. The dynamic and developmental nature of these processes has been documented among youth and young adults of color (Bañales et al, 2020; Diemer et al, 2016).…”

“…However, it is not a given that reflection always leads to action (Seider & Graves, 2020). Stated another way, reflection is likely a necessary but insufficient condition for youth to engage in critical action (Bañales et al, 2020; Diemer & Rapa, 2016). Another explanation is that it is easier to foster dialogue and engender critique in a classroom than to mobilize young people to protest immigration policy.…”

The Role Of Interpersonal Discrimination In Understanding Participation In Black Lives Matter-related And Black Collective Action

“…While some of the critical consciousness literature briefly mentions interpersonal experiences with discrimination, it is only to review literature surrounding the well researched link between discriminatory experiences and collective action (e.g. Diemer et al, 2020), failing to acknowledge the potential mediating effect of critical reflection supported by the present study's results. Individual experiences, in the researcher's point of view, are integral in moving toward the collective-based mindset required for critical consciousness, given the opportunity for understanding the struggles of a group based on how they relate to one's own struggles by recognizing a pattern of shared experiences (Leach & Allen, 2017;Miller, 1992).…”

“…Emerging adulthood among Black individuals is further complicated by experiences of interpersonal and systemic anti-Black discrimination, which may increase during this time given the inequitable social domains one enters when they become an adult, such as employment and housing (Feagin, 2006;Bañales et al, 2020). Given the intersection between emerging adulthood and Black experiences that together constitute Black development, targeted research of this group serves to understand the unique mindset of individuals who constitute BLM's largest age range and personally experience the anti-Black discrimination they are attempting to upend.…”

“…Discriminatory events have been studied with respect to the harm they have on Black people. As Black individuals emerge into adulthood, they likely experience increased discrimination through their newfound autonomy and exposure to environments typically rife with experiences of interpersonal discrimination, such as university or the workforce, allowing them to recognize these experiences as chronic (Bañales et al, 2020.;Pager & Shepherd, 2008;Pew Research Center, 2019). Given the increase in experiences of discrimination as one ages, it follows that these experiences become regarded less as representative of one's personal character or shortcomings and more indicative of a larger, systemic issue that is not concentrated on a single individual (Hope, Hoggard, & Thomas, 2015).…”