The black political executives and black political interests : 1961-1980

This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which Black political executives in the federal government represent the Black community. The study is based on interviews with 106 Blacks who have served in appointive positions and in recognition of the need for Black representation in the formulation of national policy. Black political executives are conceptualized as persons having been appointed to policy making positions. They are operationalized as those Blacks appointed to executive grade positions at the top five levels of government between 1961 and 1980.

The research explores appointment patterns and personal characteristics, role orientations, and experiences of Black appointees. Major findings of the study include: most appointees are highly educated males who are appointed in greater numbers during Democratic than Republican administrations; few appointees have been members of the most activist civil rights organizations; the general role orientation of Black political executives has become more activist over time; most enter government with an agenda indirectly related to promotion of the Black interest; of thirteen independent variables used to explain variation in the general role orientation, only sex, appointee Black activism, and parent Black activism were statistically significant predictors; women assume more passive role orientations and men more activist role orientations; and, the experiences of the executives are a mixture of accomplishment and frustrations.