Toward a Common Destiny: Improving Race and Ethnic Relations in America

Racial and ethnic polarization continue to weaken America's social fabric and prevent us from learning from the richness of our nation's racial and ethnic diversity. Toward a Common Destiny summarizes what is known about the sources of racial and ethnic prejudice in the United States and identifies ways that individuals and organizations can act to improve intergroup relations and reduce intolerance and discrimination.
The authors--leading behavioral and social scientists who are among the most thoughtful scholars in the field--examine the historical and social contexts of race relations, including an analysis of current ethnic conflicts in Europe and an examination of the development of racial identity and cross-cultural competence. They identify the social conditions and developmental processes that influence beliefs and behavior toward people of different ethnicity. They present a variety of alternative strategies--including a five-part plan for action--for improving intergroup relations, and assessing the effectiveness of each strategy. And they identify the most useful and effective principles for guiding the design and implementation of those strategies. They conclude by pointing out the issues that demand the highest priority for further research by those concerned with improving intergroup relations.