Panethnic Identity Among Second-Generation Ethiopian Americans in the United States

This study examines how second-generation Ethiopian Americans in the United States construct panethnic identities. Drawing on ethnoracialization theory and qualitative data from 51 participants (focusing on 13 who identify as panethnic), the research explores factors that contribute to panethnic identity formation, the lived experiences associated with this identity, and the broader implications for understanding Black diversity in the United States. Findings highlight the influence of socioeconomic status, neighborhood context, shared exposure to prejudice, and cultural ties, and demonstrate how these factors intersect and foster both solidarity and subgroup diversity within Black America. The lived experiences of these individuals deepen our understanding of Black identity in the post-1960s United States, illuminating a panethnicity defined by recognition of subgroup diversity alongside a broader sense of solidarity.