Focusing on inter-racial conflict, the author demonstrates how youth acquire racial identities and ideologies in local communities. He examines factors that produce ethnic and racial conflict and violence among New York City youth, based on observations of the experiences and attitudes of youth between 14 and 21 years of age in four New York City neighborhoods between October 1988 and December 1991. The focus is on youth who grew up in similar class backgrounds and faced similar problems and issues, with the only significant difference being race or ethnicity. The author shows how race shapes the way youth see themselves and others, as reflected in dress, music, style, language, and life experiences. Causes and consequences of the increase in racial conflict and violence among youth in New York City are examined, and theories about causes of racial conflict are reviewed. Economic influences on racial conflict are also considered, as well as political and cultural influences. Implications of the research for reducing racial and ethnic conflict are discussed. References and notes