Hakeem Jefferson

@hakeemjefferson

Assistant professor of political science at Stanford. Forthcoming book, Respectability Politics, with University of Chicago Press. Not Hakeem Jeffries, the Minority Leader.

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Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· 17d

Interesting use of my work in a new paper. Authors use well-established finding that ideology is weaker predictor of party id among Black Ams than among White Ams as benchmark for sample quality. Representative samples recover that pattern. Less rep. samples do not. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Screenshot from the supplemental materials of a research paper. The text explains that the authors use established findings from probability samples as benchmarks for sample quality, including the weaker relationship between political ideology and party identification among Black Americans than among White Americans. Below, three scatterplots compare representative and nonrepresentative samples. In the representative samples, the Black trend line is much flatter than the White trend line. In the nonrepresentative sample, the two trend lines are much more similar, suggesting the distinctive racial difference is not recovered.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· May 23

Thanks to the folks at Notre Dame for such a wonderful conference, “Keeping the Republic.” So great spending time with colleagues so deeply committed to understanding this difficult moment for American democracy and trying their best to do something about it. Also, Notre Dame is crazy beautiful!

Colleagues at the conference posing for photo

Photo of beautiful green space on campus

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 25

Want to know more both Black Republicans & the state of Black politics in this current moment? Join Profs. Katherine Tate, @coreydfields.bsky.social, & me as we talk Black politics & American Democracy. In-person & Zoom! May 18, 4–5:30pm PT Info + RSVP: cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/events/black...

A news headline reads, “Every Black Republican Is Leaving the House, Erasing Diversity Gains.” A subheadline explains that all four Black Republican members of the U.S. House are retiring, highlighting a persistent lack of diversity within the party. Below the text, a close-up photo shows a Black man in a suit and white shirt looking toward the camera, while another man in the foreground is out of focus.

A purple event flyer from Stanford’s Program on Identity, Democracy, and Justice at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law advertises a panel titled “Black Politics and American Democracy.” Three circular headshots appear across the center: Katherine Tate, Corey Fields, and Hakeem Jefferson. Beneath each photo are their names and affiliations—Tate is a professor of political science at Brown University; Fields is an associate professor of sociology at Georgetown University and a CASBS fellow at Stanford; Jefferson is an assistant professor of political science and affiliated with the CDDRL program at Stanford.

Event details are listed below: Monday, May 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM PST, at the Philippines Conference Room, Encina Hall Central, 3rd Floor. The flyer notes that the event is open to the public but requires registration. A geometric patterned border runs along the left side of the flyer.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 20

The Blackness scale might be one of my favorite parts of the paper. People often talk about identity as continuous (“She’s Black, but she ain’t Black Black”), so we developed a way to capture that perception. We then estimate how much different traits predict those ratings.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 20

One of the measures in the paper is a Blackness scale that asks respondents to place profiles along a continuum from 0 (not at all Black) to 10 (very Black). Perhaps inspired by a 2007 Saturday Night Live sketch that introduced its own “Blackness Scale” in the context of Barack Obama’s candidacy.

Two male actors portray Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on the Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” set, seated behind a news desk. One holds a poster labeled “Blackness Scale,” with a vertical gradient from green at the bottom to red at the top. Small photos of various public figures are placed along the scale at different points, implying different degrees of “Blackness.” The graphic is presented satirically, while both characters maintain serious expressions.

Screenshot of a Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” transcript. Seth Meyers introduces a segment about Barack Obama running in 2008 and the idea that the U.S. may be ready for a Black president, bringing in actors portraying Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

The transcript shows “Rev. Jesse Jackson” speaking haltingly with pauses and a stage direction indicating he repeatedly rubs his nose, followed by “Rev. Al Sharpton” slapping the desk and shouting “HALLELUJAH!!” Jackson then says they want to address Obama directly because “in America… there are degrees of Blackness,” with Sharpton interjecting “Scales of soul!” The excerpt ends with Jackson saying they came up with a chart to illustrate the idea.

Screenshot of a Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” transcript continuing a sketch featuring actors portraying Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

A stage direction notes that “Al Sharpton” holds up a chart labeled “Blackness Scale,” described as showing the heads of Black people arranged along a colored meter. “Rev. Jesse Jackson” explains it as a scale measuring “degrees of Blackness… in the eyes of others,” while “Rev. Al Sharpton” interjects “ie: WHITE PEOPLE!” Jackson adds that everyone on the chart is “unequivocally Black,” but Sharpton argues some are “more Black than others.”

Sharpton then uses analogies, comparing levels on the scale to types of cars (Oldsmobile, Cadillac, customized Impala) and to coffee preferences (with cream, straight black, or with a shot of Hennessy), reinforcing the satirical idea of graded Blackness.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 1

On day 2 of American Politics and Policy: In Defense of Democracy, I always argue that many of this country’s conflicts turn on who belongs to we the people. Tomorrow’s day 2—the same day SCOTUS hears arguments in birthright citizenship case. What a privilege and burden to teach in this moment.

Syllabus excerpt for Wednesday, April 1 titled “Who counts as ‘the people’?” The readings listed are the Declaration of Independence; “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass; and “Storming the Capitol Was About Maintaining White Power” by Hakeem Jefferson. Required listening is oral arguments in the Supreme Court birthright citizenship case, available on the Court’s website or YouTube. Suggested materials include Danielle Allen discussing the radicalism of the American Revolution on The Ezra Klein Show, and “Of the Ruling of Men” by W. E. B. Du Bois.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Feb 17

I can’t tell you how f’ing good it was! And no flour involved. Crispy af! And so moist.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jan 26

Coates is always worth reading. apple.news/AEP72W5oLQW6...

For years, a certain kind of liberal has either minimized such culture war rhetoric coming from the other side, or urged political actors of all stripes to ignore this, in favor of
"material" and "kitchen table" issues—as though the state regarding one's life as
"garbage" has no tangible consequence, as if the terms of a fight can be determined by the person getting punched. But Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact-the culture war is an actual war (text highlighted up to this point by me, for emphasis). ICE, the Myrmidons of The Homeland, enjoys an $85 billion budget, a sum "larger than the annual military budget of every country in the world except the United States and China," reports Caitlin Dickerson in The Atlantic. "Immigration and Customs Enforcement-just one component of the Department of Homeland Security-is getting more money than any other law-enforcement agency in America.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Nov 17

Two things stand out to me here. First, these young Black men are very clearly in on the joke about “respectable” performance, "trading Nike Techs for quarter-zips" and playing with the idea of being the “young gentleman.”

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Nov 3

Tomorrow is Democracy Day at Stanford. If folks are around campus tomorrow, I’ll be on a panel with colleagues from 3-415 pm at Meyer Green: “Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad” Join us if you’re around! Should be a nice day out!

A promotional flyer for a Stanford Democracy Day panel titled “Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad.” The flyer includes circular headshots of five speakers—Christophe Crombez, Anna Grzymala-Busse, Hakeem Jefferson, Hesham Sallam, and Kathryn Stoner—with their names listed below their photos. Event details read: Tuesday, November 4 · 3:00 PM PT · Meyer Green. The right side of the image features Stanford logos for the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL), the Freeman Spogli Institute, and The Europe Center.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Oct 29

A Nazi Tattoo Exposes Democrats’ Greatest Weakness www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o... @tressiemcphd.bsky.social is unmatched. Read her latest piece—and everything else she writes.

A screenshot of a block of text with a black background and white serif font. The text reads:

“I don’t particularly care about the symbols people use to signal their membership in a group. Maybe you do need a terrifying tattoo to be a real Marine. And maybe sometimes that terrifying tattoo might resemble Nazi iconography. If you are willing to accept that from a distance, as many Democrats say they are, a person may not be able to tell the real symbol of hate from its doppelgänger, that is for you to live with.

But, I do care about the political trade-offs we will ask people to make in the name of pragmatism. If the Democratic future requires us to exchange our discomfort with casual Nazism to advance a political agenda, I am not interested. Maybe other voters are — some polling suggests that young voters still support Platner. And maybe Platner will find a way to redeem himself. No one owes him that chance, but there is still a way forward. It’s called doing the work.

But don’t tell me that excusing that tattoo is good politics. It is the exact same politics that the right is selling, in a different outfit.”

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Oct 24

One tactic these data guys use online is to dismiss academic work they don’t like by calling it “overly complex” or “disconnected from reality.” I call this anti-rigor propaganda. It’s a move to sour people on serious scholarship when you don’t have better evidence. Adam addresses it in the piece.

An excerpt from Adam Bonica’s Substack post critiquing a New York Times editorial. Bonica highlights how the Times dismisses academic research as “overly complex” and “disconnected from voter perceptions.” The quoted section from the editorial claims academic debates involve “statistical complexities” too hard for most people to follow and that researchers rely on “messy” data producing “bizarre results.” Bonica argues this preemptive dismissal is telling, suggesting the Times needs to discredit research showing that the electoral benefits of moderation have largely disappeared.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jul 12

This gov’t wants us to think it can do whatever it wants—including terrorize ppl to enforce a racist immigration agenda. This court says: No, you can’t. Proud of our friend Mark Rosenbaum for fighting hard to make this happen. As always, he’s clear on the stakes. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/u...

A quote from Mark Rosenbaum, a lawyer with Public Counsel. He says, “The order reflects there is something very wrong when the federal government goes to war against an American city and ignores the Constitution.” He adds, “Hopefully this ends the actions of the government rounding up carwash workers and other hardworking people like they were domestic terrorists.”

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jul 3

A hard day for those who care about justice. Sharing these words from Rev. William Barber II, who’s long been a moral voice for the poor. “The passage of this bill is deadly, but it is not a defeat. We must meet it with a resurrection.”

Screenshot of a statement from Rev. William Barber condemning GOP budget bill. He calls it “one of the most morally-bankrupt pieces of legislation in our nation’s history,” citing deep cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and immigrant support, while benefiting the wealthy. He describes the bill as “policy murder in plain sight” and criticizes lawmakers who invoke religion while supporting harmful policies. He ends with a call to organize, vote out those responsible, and “build a movement together that can reconstruct our democracy.”

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jun 25

The people are celebrating as far as Los Angeles. Good job, NYC.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jun 24

Los Angeles

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· May 28

Stanford folks: I’ll be one of the speakers at the Rally to Defend Education and Research this Friday (May 30), 12–2 PM in White Plaza. If you care about academic freedom and the role of universities in a democracy, now’s the time to show up. Hope to see many of y’all there!

Flyer for a campus event titled “Rally to Defend Education and Research.” The event is scheduled for May 30 from 12:00–2:00 PM at White Plaza. The flyer encourages attendees to “Get fired up for summer action” and includes icons of books, an atom, and a microscope. Additional text notes there will be faculty, student, and community speakers, live music, and opportunities to connect with campus organizations. The event is sponsored by the American Association of University Professors.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 10

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 8

I never get tired of hearing how folks have used this assignment in their courses — and the amazingly creative projects their students come up with. It's just wild to see! Here's the original rubric I used, which so many have improved upon over the years:

Screenshot of a course assignment description for a final project. Students are instructed to teach "outsiders" about a concept or idea learned during the quarter, using any medium except a standard essay or tweet thread. Suggested formats include a podcast, photo exhibit, magazine piece, long-form blog post, or poetry. Projects will be evaluated on five criteria: (1) clear understanding of the concept (10 points), (2) explaining its importance for some aspect of politics (U.S. or abroad) (5 points), (3) accessible language for a broad audience (5 points), (4) effort appropriate for a final class project (5 points), and (5) creativity and imaginative thinking (5 points).

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 8

The world feels pretty bleak right now, but hearing from scholars this week who are teaching my piece, The Curious Case of Black Conservatives, has been such a bright spot. Notes like this always make my day. Gated: academic.oup.com/poq/article/... Ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/asudn...

Abstract
Many Black Americans identify as conservative on surveys, despite their allegiance to the Democratic Party. Prominent theoretical accounts claim this mismatch results from identity-based considerations. I revisit this long-standing puzzle and offer an alternative explanation with broad implications for studying political attitudes and behavior across the social sciences. Leveraging data from the American National Election Studies, I demonstrate that the terms “liberal” and “conservative” are unfamiliar to many Black Americans, compromising the usefulness and validity of the liberal-conservative scale for Black respondents. Respondents unfamiliar with these terms misapply them and choose ideological labels that fail to align with their partisan preferences. Consequently, scholars and political actors make incorrect and imprecise inferences about the contours of Black politics. Findings also raise new concerns about the generalizability of claims that rely on ideological self-identification measures, including popular claims about mass polarization and partisan-ideological sorting among the American public. Critically, this work suggests a need for caution when using concepts that vary in their meaningfulness across social groups.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 6

The Bay Area showed up in force today in SF against this authoritarian regime. Glad to stand alongside so many. It’s going to be long, hard, and frustratingly evil along the way. But today gave me hope that the people are ready to fight back!

Protester dressed in funeral black holding an RIP Democracy sign

A fuck Trump sign with a penis mid sign + a trump orange balloon

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 5

“Stanford learned on Friday, April 4, that 4 students & 2 recent grads have had their student visas revoked. The Univ learned of revocations during routine check of SEVIS database. Stanford notified students of revocations & made external legal assistance available to them.” immigration.stanford.edu

News and updates

Stanford learned on Friday, April 4, that four students and two recent graduates have had their student visas revoked. The University learned of the revocations during a routine check of the SEVIS database. Stanford notified the students of the revocations and made external legal assistance available to them. To protect student privacy, Stanford is unable to identify the individuals or provide other details. We are not currently aware of the details of the revocations or the reasons for them. We also are not aware of any presence of immigration authorities on campus today.

Stanford deeply values its international community of scholars and remains committed to supporting the well-being of all members of our community. We understand that these developments may be deeply unsettling for members of our community. Resources for those seeking assistance are available through the Bechtel International Center and on this website.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Apr 5

It seems like this was a case of mistaken info, but authoritarians rely on uncertainty & ambiguity b/c they know it leads to panic & keeps people on edge. Students should be enjoying their Friday night, not worrying about an authoritarian government snatching them up on the way to a house party.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Mar 10

I just sent our university president and provost an urgent request to defend First Amendment freedoms at Stanford, given this administration’s willingness to punish those who disagree with it. I urge you to do the same with your university leaders.

Dear President Levin and Provost Martinez:

In light of the recent arrest of a former student at Columbia University and the ongoing threats to fundamental freedoms posed by the current administration, I urge you both to clearly and publicly denounce these dangerous attacks on First Amendment rights. Silence or neutrality in this critical moment risks complicity. Students and faculty urgently need reassurance that Stanford will vigorously protect our community members against threats of arrest, censorship, or sanctions for engaging in constitutionally protected expression.

You have consistently emphasized the importance of free speech and academic freedom as foundational to our institution. Now is the time to unequivocally reaffirm those commitments. Our community must know that Stanford stands firmly behind them, ready to use every resource available to safeguard their right to express themselves freely, without fear of intimidation.

I urge you to act swiftly and decisively to demonstrate our unwavering dedication to protecting constitutional rights, especially as threats against these freedoms escalate.

I have cc’d the Stanford Daily on this correspondence because I believe our entire community should be engaged in encouraging decisive action from our administration at this crucial moment.

Sincerely,

Hakeem Jefferson
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Faculty Director of the Program on Identity, Democracy, and Justice at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Feb 22

I’m still shook. These people came to my book workshop today, and I still can’t believe it. What a gift. What a privilege. I still can’t believe how good it was.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Feb 8

Finally coming up for air! The preliminary draft of my book is officially in the hands of the book workshop attendees. Feels crazy to step out from under the urgent writing grind. Excited (and a little nervous) to hear their thoughts, but for now, I’m gonna enjoy the breather.

Title page: Respectability, Identity, Stigma, and the Politics of Social Control in Unequal Societies

Hakeem Jefferson

February 8, 2025

Abstract

Respectability: Identity, Stigma, and the Politics of Social Control in Unequal Societies critiques and extends prevailing ideas about shared identity by examining how the burdens of collective costs complicate group solidarity. While shared identity often fosters cohesion, this book demonstrates how stigma and structural inequality impose unique pressures on Black Americans and other marginalized groups, leading not only to solidarity but also to intragroup surveillance, policing, and punishment. Respectability politics is a particularly salient manifestation of these dynamics, emerging in response to stigma and inequality. Although rooted in the Black American experience, respectability politics reflects broader patterns that appear across cultures and contexts, where marginalized groups contend with shared burdens and their consequences.

A key contribution of this book is the development of the Respectability Politics Scale (RPS), a novel measure that provides a systematic way to study respectability politics and its consequences. This scale allows for empirical exploration of how respectability politics shapes attitudes toward punitive policies, intragroup dynamics, and broader systems of control. By introducing the concept of perceptions of collective costs—the belief that individual behavior reflects on and affects the group as a whole—this work situates respectability politics within a larger framework of identity, stigma, and social control.

Through rigorous empirical evidence and comparative insights, this book not only illuminates respectability politics as a critical lens for understanding intragroup dynamics but also demonstrates its broader relevance to understanding systems of control in unequal societies worldwide. By doing so, it offers a path forward for scholars and practitioners seeking to challenge and transform these dynamics.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jan 28

So cool to have my research and writing cited in the program for Eden, a stage play being performed at Yale Repertory Theatre. Just the encouragement I need as I sprint to finish this first draft of my book on respectability politics. yalerep.org/productions/...

A theatrical poster for Eden at Yale Repertory Theatre’s 2024–25 season. The title ‘EDEN’ is displayed in bold, red, vintage-style lettering at the top. The central image features a detailed black-and-white illustration of two hands clasped together, with strong shading and texture emphasizing their grip. The background includes a faded red sketch of an urban landscape with buildings and a distant water tower, giving the image a historical feel. The poster has a distressed, textured border. In the bottom right corner, a tilted red box contains the text ‘yale repertory theatre 2024–25 SEASON.’

A digital program page for the Yale Repertory Theatre production of Eden, a play by Steve Carter, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. The production runs from January 16 to February 8, 2025. The program lists the creative team, including Scenic Designer George Zhou, Costume Designer Caroline Tyson, Lighting Designer Ankit Pandey, Sound Designer and Original Music by Tojo Rasedoara, Projection Designer Ein Kim, Hair and Wig Designers Krystal Balleza and Will Vicari, Production Dramaturgs Austin Riffelmacher and Tia Smith, Technical Director Nickie Dubick, Fight and Intimacy Director Michael Rossmy, Vocal and Dialect Coach Paul Pryce, Casting Director Calleri Jensen Davis, and Stage Manager Hope Binfeng Ding. The program notes that Eden was first presented by The Negro Ensemble Company at Saint Marks Playhouse on March 3, 1976, and is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc. Yale Repertory Theatre acknowledges Carol L. Sirot for funding the 2024–25 season and thanks season funders, including Connecticut Humanities and The Study at Yale as a season sponsor.

A program page titled ‘Politics of Virtue and Respectability in Eden’ features a quote from Marcus Garvey’s 1927 work The Tragedy of White Injustice: ‘The once dear, lovely Garden of Eden has become the sphere of men uneven.’ Below the quote is a black-and-white photograph of Marcus Garvey from 1922, seated in a car while wearing a military-style uniform adorned with medals and a large feathered hat. The text discusses the role of the Politics of Respectability in Steve Carter’s play Eden, referencing Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham’s 1993 book Righteous Discontent: The Women’s Movement in the Black Baptist Church: 1880–1920. It explains how respectability politics shape marginalized groups’ assimilation into dominant culture. A quote from political scientist Hakeem Jefferson elaborates on how respectability politics framed ‘good behavior’ as morally right and aligned with middle-class values, while negatively stereotyped behavior was seen as detrimental to racial self-help. The text concludes by stating that respectability is dictated by white supremacy, setting up the contradictions in Eden’s character Joseph Barton.

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jan 25

Book writing nugget: I used AI to analyze open-ended responses where Black and white respondents read about same-race teens causing a scene in a theater and explained why it bothered them. The difference is so clear: Black folks focus on collective costs; white folks, not so much. Love this stuff!

Image description: A summary of a study exploring how Black and white respondents reacted to a scenario where same-race teenagers caused a disruption in a movie theater. Key comparisons are outlined, highlighting that Black respondents expressed concerns about how the behavior might reflect on Black people as a group, citing fears of reinforcing stereotypes and stigma. Quotes include: “People will assume all Blacks are noise makers,” and, “It feeds into stereotypes about us.” In contrast, white respondents did not mention collective costs or group implications, focusing instead on individual behavior, with quotes like: “This is about a lack of courtesy,” and, “Their race doesn’t matter.”

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jan 6

This is the chicken adobo recipe we used. It’s from the chef at Mineral—an incredible Filipino recipe in Toronto. If you’re ever in Toronto, go visit! www.mineralto.com

A recipe card for Chef Daniel’s Chicken Adobo from @MineralToronto. The card lists the ingredients: boneless skin-on chicken thighs (or portobello mushrooms as a substitute), garlic, shallots, neutral oil, bay leaves, cracked black pepper, soy sauce (with a gluten-free tamari option), unseasoned rice wine vinegar (or apple cider/white wine vinegar), low-sodium chicken stock (or vegetable stock/water), and freshly cooked rice. The instructions are as follows:
1. Add canola oil to a preheated pot on medium-low heat, along with garlic and shallot.
2. Stir for 3 minutes, then add bay leaf and cracked pepper.
3. Cook for one more minute while stirring.
4. Add soy sauce, unseasoned rice wine vinegar, and low-sodium chicken stock, and bring to a low simmer.
5. Add the boneless chicken thighs (skin-side up) to the pot and keep at a low simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Carefully remove the chicken and place it on a platter.
7. Preheat a non-stick pan on medium heat, add canola oil, and place chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear until the skin is lightly browned and crispy, then remove and place back on the platter.
8. When the braising liquid in the pot is reduced to your liking, adjust the seasoning with soy sauce or vinegar to taste.
9. Pour the finished sauce over your crispy chicken thighs and serve with warm rice.

The card includes a QR code and the website Mineralto.com at the bottom.

(Alt text AI generated)

Hakeem Jefferson@hakeemjefferson· Jan 6

No kidding; creating delicious meals is how Matt (@villarrecords.bsky.social) & I relax. We’re always cooking something & love feeding people. So, if you’re in town, let us know. If it fits our schedule, we’ll feed you! Most recently: a delicious Filipino spread!