One drop on the move: historical legal context, racial classification, and migration

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

We examine the relationship between historical anti-miscegenation laws and contemporary racial classification within Black–White households in the United States using a multi-layered approach to conceptualizing that socio-historical context. We draw our sample of married Black–White households with children under the age of 18 from the 2012–2016 American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Consistent with previous research, results suggest that households with connections to states that never had an anti-miscegenation law are less likely to adhere to the “one drop rule” than other households. However, these connections are not purely a reflection of the current state of residence; households comprised of two parents who were born in “no law” states–but currently live in states that had historical anti-miscegenation laws–display distinct racial classification patterns. This research contributes to our understanding of the link between place and race and highlights the power of migration in shaping ideas about race.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Ethnic and Racial Studies

First Page

809

Last Page

828

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