Russel Sage Foundation

How are native-born black and white Americans reacting to the presence of a third population, one with little or no history in the region? Research in the area of the effects of Latino immigration on intergroup relations in the South is very recent and not extensive (McClain et al. 2006, 2007; Marrow 2008, 2009; Winders 2008a, 2008b). This paper will provide a glimpse at the context in which racial intergroup relations will be developed in three Southern locations—Durham, NC; Memphis, TN; and Little Rock, AR. These locations represent different Southern environments: Memphis is a majority black city, Durham holds nearly equal numbers of blacks and whites and Little Rock is a majority white city.