Youth Views on Race

Abstract

In this article, we consider how youth ages 14 to 24 years from diverse backgrounds understand and experience race. Through an analysis of open-ended survey questions collected as part of the national MyVoice Project, we explore youths’ views on the role race plays in their own lives and contemporary society more broadly. Our results highlight clear patterns by race/ethnicity linked to commonly held racial stereotypes that affect youth in distinct ways, but also a broadly shared desire to take action to address racism and racial injustice.