harvardjournalof AFRICAN AMERICAN public policy volume 17, 2010–2011 an hks student publication The Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy does not accept responsibil- ity for the views expressed by individual authors. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the editors of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy. © 2011 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise specified, no article or portion herein is to be reproduced or adapted to other works without the expressed written consent of the editors of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy. ISSN# 1081-0463 ii SUPPORT THE REVIEW ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Harvard Journal of African American The editorial board of the Harvard Public Policy (ISSN# 1081-0463) is a Journal of African American Public Policy student-run journal published annually at would like to thank the following the John F. Kennedy School of individuals for their generous support Government at Harvard University. An and contributions to the publication of annual subscription is $10 for students, this issue: $20 for individuals, and $40 for libraries Richard Parker, Faculty Advisor and institutions. Additional copies of Martha Foley, Publisher Volumes I–XVI may be available for $10 Lori Goldstein, Copy Editor each from the Subscriptions Department, Diane Sibley, Graphic Designer Harvard Journal of African American Ace Creative, Production Public Policy, 79 JFK Street, Cambridge, David Ellwood, Dean of the John F. MA 02138. Kennedy School of Government Donations provided in support of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy are tax deductible as a nonprofit gift under the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard HJAAP 2010–2011 EDITORIAL University’s IRS 501(c) (3) status. Please BOARD specify intent. Editor-in-Chief Send address changes to: Tristan Allen Harvard Journal of African American Managing Editor Public Policy Nura Sediqe 79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Senior Editor, Commentaries Sorby Grant Or by e-mail to: [email protected] Senior Editor, Interviews Gabrielle Wyatt Senior Editor, Articles Erica Harrison At-Large Editor Samantha Williams At-Large Editor Racheal Chimbghandah harvard journal of african american public policy | volume 17 | 2010–2011 iii harvardjournalof AFRICAN AMERICAN public policy Call for Papers Deadline: December 10, 2011 The Harvard Journal of African American Manual of Style. Footnotes are not Public Policy is a student-run publication accepted. All figures, tables, and that facilitates informed public policy charts should be submitted as entirely decision-making processes by providing separate files. innovative analyses of and solutions to the problems facing the African American IN ADDITION, ALL AUTHORS community. We are currently accepting MUST OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING: submissions for Volume XVIII to be • A cover page with the submission title, published in spring 2012. author’s name, mailing address, e-mail Manuscripts are accepted from all policy address, daytime telephone number, and areas, academic disciplines, and related a brief biography organizations. In addition to articles, the • A 100-word abstract journal welcomes essays, lectures, • An electronic copy of the article on a speeches, community-based initiative formatted CD in any version of Microsoft profiles, symposia, position papers, Word interviews, and book reviews. The journal Authors are required to cooperate with seeks innovative and solution-oriented editing and fact-checking. strategies that address the relationship between policy making and the political, MAIL ENTRIES TO: social, and economic environments Harvard Journal of African American affecting African Americans at local, state, Public Policy and national levels in the United States. John. F. Kennedy School of Government The deadline for submission is December at Harvard University 10, 2011. 79 John F. Kennedy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES To be eligible for the editorial review: CONTACT US WITH ANY • Articles must be original and QUESTIONS AT: unpublished. Tel: (617) 496-8655 • Articles should be 5 to 30 double-spaced Fax: (617) 384-9555 pages. E-mail: [email protected] • Articles should be formatted in any Web site: www.hks.harvard.edu/HJAAP/ version of Microsoft Word. • References and endnotes should be formatted according to the guidelines and author-date system of the Chicago iv CONTENTS 1 Editor’s Remarks FEATURES 3 Political Cynicism and the Black Vote by Erica C. Taylor 11 Actuating Equity: Historical and Contemporary Analyses of African American Access to Selective Higher Education from Sweatt to the Top 10 Percent Law by Julian Vasquez Heilig, Richard Reddick, Choquette Hamilton, and Laurel Dietz 29 Identity and Public Policy: Redefining the Concept of Racial Democracy in Brazil by Krystle Norman ARTICLE 43 Opportunity Beyond Affirmative Action: How Low- Income and Working-Class Black Male Achievers Access Highly Selective, High-Cost Colleges and Universities by Shaun R. Harper and Kimberly A. Griffin COMMENTARIES 61 Acknowledging Black Male Privilege by Wendell Marsh 65 A Seat at the Table: Place-Based Urban Policy and Community Engagement by Hayling Price INTERVIEWS 75 U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa: A Public Address by Condoleezza Rice Compiled by Natasha Sunderji harvard journal of african american public policy | volume 17 | 2010–2011 v harvardjournalof AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY Subscription Form AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY REVIEW ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF VOLUME XVII The 2011 volume features forward-looking articles, frank interviews, and reflective commentary. Fill our the form below to reserve your copy of the HARVARD JOURNAL OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY now! NAME (print) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Payment: r $20 individuals r $40 institutions r Payment enclosed (make checks payable to “Harvard University”) Mail order forms to our office: Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy John F. Kennedy School of Government 79 John F. Kennedy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Tel: (617) 496-8655 | Fax: (617) 384-9555 Email: [email protected] vi editor’s remarks EDITOR’S REMARKS Every year, the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy is proud to share submissions on a wide range of issues affecting the African American community and the African diaspora. This year, our editorial board is proud to present remarkable commentaries and articles from subject matter experts who chronicle some of the issues most pressing to the diaspora. We are also pleased to highlight a portion of the November 2010 dialogue between former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and students from the Harvard University community. Our goal with this volume is to spark discussion among practitioners, policy makers, and academ- ics on how to recognize issues that continuously impact Blacks and, most importantly, on how to bring about resolve. We are proud to feature three articles that address policy areas of growing concern. Erica Taylor chronicles political cynicism and alienation that continues to adversely impact the Black vote while Julian Vasquez Heilig, Richard Reddick, Choquette Hamilton, and Laurel Dietz detail the educational obstacles Black men face in Texas. In addition, Krystle Norman gives insight into the struggle to promote the nuanced idea of racial democracy in Brazil. She gives a synopsis of the role Afro-Brazilians play in the country’s democracy and also proposes viable policy recommendations to increase the political responsibility of Blacks in Brazil. This year, the journal also includes an analysis by Shaun Harper and Kimberly Griffin of the access of Black males to higher educa- tion. Wendell Marsh explores the paradox of Black male privilege and gender bias within the Black community. Finally, Hayling Price, a community organizer in Washington, DC, discusses the impact of social and urban policy on community engagement. The 2011 Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy is grateful to all the professionals and experts whose submissions have helped to make Volume XVII great. The journal staff, copy editors, and Harvard University administrative support have been invaluable. Lastly, it is our readers who give the journal its pur- pose. Our hope is that you share the policy ideas and use the policy recommendations for constructive discourse. In this way, we hope to make it increasingly less necessary for the citizens of the world to continually fight redundant battles for the right to coexist. Again, thank you for your continued support of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy. Tristan Allen, Editor-in-Chief Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy harvard journal of african american public policy | volume 17 | 2010–2011 1 harvard KENNEDY SCHOOL REVIEW Subscription Form KENNEDY SCHOOL REVIEW You can subscribe online at: www.hks.harvard.edu/ksr OR pay by check. Fill our the form below to reserve your copy of the KENNEDY SCHOOL REVIEW now! NAME (print) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Payment: r $20 individuals r $40 institutions r Payment enclosed (make checks payable to “Harvard University”) Mail order forms to our office: Harvard Kennedy School Review John F. Kennedy School of Government 79 John F. Kennedy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Tel: (617) 496-8655 | Fax: (617) 384-9555 Email: [email protected] 2 feature article article, which uses the terms African American and Black interchangeably, analyzes a