Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence

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Overview

For the last forty years the label "black voter” has been virtually synonymous with "Democrat” but a new generation of voters is changing that. In her provocative new book Party Crashing, political commentator Keli Goff introduces America’s newest swing voter. Like soccer moms and Nascar dads before them, young, black voters born after the Civil Rights Movement are becoming increasingly up for grabs, politically speaking. While the politics of their parents and grandparents were shaped by the Civil Rights Movement, Goff notes that the politics of her peers, members of the post-Civil Rights generation, have been shaped by a number of cultural influencers that transcend race; from "The Cosby Show,” to icons such as Oprah Winfrey, and the tragedy of 9/11. Civil rights has long been the defining political issue for black Americans but for this emerging generation of black voters, civil rights is now one issue among many that define their politics. As a result, they are challenging the idea that one’s skin color should color one’s political identity, and they are also challenging the idea that they should be Democrats. Since the support of black Americans has been crucial to the success of democratic candidates-from Presidents Kennedy to Clinton-this shift could be one of the most important developments in modern politics, arguably as important as the Civil Rights movement itself. Along with the political shift occurring, Goff also examines the cultural shift that is taking place on a wide range of issues including: gay marriage, hip-hop, and the emergence of what Goff calls "Generation Obama.” Through in-depth interviews with young, black voters, groundbreaking survey research, and conversations with a range of high profile Americans-from Colin Powell to Russell Simmons-Party Crashing explores the issues and people who have helped shape the politics of the post-Civil Rights Generation, and how this generation is reshaping America.

What People Are Saying

Arianna Huffington

Make room soccer moms and NASCAR dads, young black voters have emerged as the new wildcard in American politics. You will not find a better explanation for why and how than Party Crashing. Should be on the nightstand of candidates on either side of the political aisle. (Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post)

Henry Louis Gates

Keli Goff gets it right in this incisive and entertaining book, which comes at a fascinating moment in black political life. Party Crashing will get people talking. (Henry Louis Gates, Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, Harvard University)

Russell Simmons

Party Crashing affirms the importance of the hip-hop generation as a powerful political force. Hopefully it will serve as a wake-up call to political leaders of all parties. (Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network)

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

According to Goff, a former intern for Sen. Hillary Clinton and campaign manager for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, "the black vote" is becoming more elusive and unpredictable in today's political landscape. Goff's first book explores the transformation of the African-American voting bloc in the U.S. The author argues that what was once a cohesive political unit is now a diffuse coalition divided across myriad social, political and economic lines. Unlike their parents, who have historically held fast to the Democratic Party, younger African-Americans are becoming increasingly independent voters. Examining this generational split in terms of proximity to the civil rights movement, Goff finds that the bond forged between the Democratic Party and the African-American community may have lost its relevance to many younger African-Americans today. The author fleshes out several reasons for this: the split over social issues like gay marriage and abortion, the loss of cohesive, unifying leadership in the African-American community, the "First Black President" Bill Clinton proving a tough Democratic act to follow and the waning Democratic commitment to black churches. Goff proves herself a savvy political analyst, an adept cultural critic and a talented journalist, culling from sources as diverse as political polls, Chris Rock's standup comedy and interviews with politicians and ordinary citizens alike. She makes a persuasive argument that "the black vote" is becoming an imaginary concept: while Democrats take it for granted, Republicans don't bother to work for it. The result is disenfranchisement. (Mar.)

School Library Journal

In her first book, Goff, a former senate campaign intern for Hillary Clinton and manager of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's 2002 reelection campaign, looks at how young black Americans' political views differ from those of their parents. Goff argues that members of the post-Civil Rights-the hip-hop-generation, without personal memories of the Civil Rights Movement, have different political motivations from their parents and think more independently about politics than previous generations of African Americans. Goff examines issues of social class, economics, partisanship, and the increasing influence of figures from popular culture on the way black Americans vote. While in some parts Goff generalizes about trends related to the "black vote," she also acknowledges that, because African Americans have become much more politically savvy and independent over the past 20 years, political parties can no longer take for granted the unilateral "black vote" phenomenon. Interviews with prominent leaders in politics and popular culture, such as Colin Powell and Russell Simmons, lend credibility to the work. Recommended for public and larger academic political science collections.
—Elizabeth L. Winter

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780465003327
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication date: 2/25/2008
Pages: 244
Sales rank: 694,899
Product dimensions: 5.40 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Meet the Author

Keli Goff’s commentary on politics and pop culture has been seen on numerous networks including: CNN, FOX News Channel and MSNBC, among others. After beginning her career in politics as an intern on Hillary Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign, Goff went on to work as a congressional aide and communications strategist. She served as Campaign Manager for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s successful re-election in 2002 and later as Deputy Campaign Manager of "Vote No on 3,” a successful citywide effort to defeat a ballot initiative. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University and lives in New York City.

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Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence

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