Policy Press Obama and the Biracial Factor: The Battle for a New American Majority

Since the election in 2008 of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States there have been a plethora of books, films, and articles about the role of race in the election of the first person of color to the White House. None of these works though delves into the intricacies of Mr. Obama's biracial background and what it means. Obama and the Biracial Factor is the first book to explore the significance of mixed-race identity as a key factor in the election of President Obama and examines the sociological and political relationship between race, power, and public policy in the United States with an emphasis on public discourse and ethnic representation in his election . Jolivette and his co-authors bring biracial identity and multiraciality to forefront of our understanding of racial projects since his election. Additionally the authors assert the salience of mixed-race identity in U.S. policy and the on-going impact of the media and popular culture on the development, implementation, and interpretation of government policy and ethnic relations in the U.S. and globally. Obama and the Biracial Factor speaks to a wide array of academic disciplines ranging from political science and public policy to sociology and ethnic studies. Review "Offers a broad and penetrating view of the importance of race in the ongoing development of American politics." Politic365.com Andrew Jolivette presents incisive essays by social scientists and cultural critics about Obama's racial justice successes and stagnations. An historically-informed theme of post-racism instead of post-race emerges - sober, inspiring, realistic. Naomi Zack, Professor of Philosophy, University of Oregon Obama and the biracial factor is a crucial addition to the growing work in critical mixed-race studies. This book goes beyond simplistic analyses to demonstrate how mixed-race identity is used to reinforce rather than challenge white supremacy within popular discourse. With the growing debates between scholars who focus on anti-Blackness versus critical race mixed-studies, one may not agree with all the analyses proferred in the text. Nevertheless, this book is an essential addition to this debate. Andrea Smith, Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of California Riverside About the Author Andrew Jolivette is, Associate Professor and Department Chair in American Indian Studies, at San Francisco State University, where he is an affiliated faculty member in the Graduate Program in Sexuality Studies, the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, and in the Race and Resistance Studies Program. He is the author or editor of several books including Obama and the Biracial Factor: The Battle for a New American Majority (Policy Press, 2012). Jolivette is an international lecturer and public speaker with the Institute for Democratic Education and Culture (Speak Out).