A Reconceptualization of How We Study Issues of Racial Prejudice

This article shows that when confronted with a problem as complex as racial prejudice, researchers cannot afford to limit themselves to studying prejudice from the perspective of Whites. Many argue that in the research that does focus on Blacks and prejudice, Blacks are studied primarily in terms of their reactions to prejudice. This article challenges researchers to examine how Blacks' racial attitudes and behaviors influence intergroup dynamics between Whites and Blacks. Four areas of research in the prejudice and stereotyping literature that could be used to study Blacks' role in understanding racial prejudice are discussed. Moreover, the implications of studying Blacks in these 4 areas are explored.