Racial politics
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Racial Politics is a term used to describe racially charged political actions by Abigail Thernstrom, the vice-chairman of the U.S. commission on civil rights. The practice has been a major part of American government since its creation, and often divides the Republican and Democratic parties.
[edit] Racial Politics in United States History
The United States Government has since the time of its creation been divided, and in many ways developed based upon issues of race. In 1861 the Civil War between the Northern and Southern states of the nation was fought partially over the abolition of slavery. Furthermore the tension between the Northern Democrats and Southern Republicans continued for many years after as the South created Jim Crow laws and continued the segregation of individuals of color. The Northern Republicans realized that the South would not simply erase the strong racial divide that existed despite the abolition of slavery , and so in hopes of having a functioning Government allowed for such restrictions to exist.
In 1896, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that the, "separate but equal", doctrine was constitutional in the case Plessy v. Ferguson. This doctrine suggested that segregation was legal as long as facilities provided to both whites and blacks remained equal. In retrospect, the entire case was driven by racial politics, as Homer Plessy, a man who was only 1/8 black, was persuaded by rights activists in New Orleans to test a new law that required separate accommodations for blacks and whites on railroads.
In 1954, the ruling of Plessy v. Ferguson was overturned in the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court determined that the establishment of separate schools for whites and blacks inherently unequal, and as a result unconstitutional. This was a major step for civil rights activists of the Democratic Party.
[edit] Racial Politics in the Current Day United States
Abigail Thernstrom in the article, THE NATION Racial Politics, As Ever Democrats will be demagogic; when will Republicans counter them, essentially argues that racial politics is still an aspect of American Government, although issues regarding race have not had a major impact in United States Government in recent years. Thernstrom claims Republicans have been cowardly on issues of race in recent administrations, and have failed to respond to comments such as those made by Deval Patrick on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which suggested that, ""I wonder how many of us know that in this term, right now, the Supreme Court is seriously considering overruling the Brown v. Board of Education decision." According to Thernstrom, Patrick's comments are in response to a current Supreme Court Case, involving racial balancing in Seattle and Jefferson County, Kentucky schools, which would end racial quotes in assigning children to schools. It is obvious that there exists no real threat to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, however Thernstrom believes that Patricks comments are intended to, "remind voters of what terrible things a Republican administration does - appointing Supreme Court justices who might drag the country back to the days of Jim Crow."
Nancy Pelosi, a California representative and current Speaker of the House, suggested that Democrats are back, and with them the voice of racial politics within the United States Government is as well. These racially driven Democratic activists argue that the Republican party failed to respond to events such as Hurricane Katrina due in large part to the large black population of New Orleans as well as failing to provide African Americans with higher education.
Perhaps the most glaring aspect of racial politics today is the re-drawing and shaping of district lines to seclude minorities in certain areas. In doing this, Republicans and Democrats alike ensure certain trends in voting patterns and constituent concerns, as they place a high concentration of minorities within a voting district. This is a crucial aspect of modern day politics and is often a major factor in elections. See: Gerrymandering
[edit] Bibliography
Thernstrom, Abigail. THE NATION Racial Politics, As Ever Democrats will be demagogic; when will Republicans counter them? March 19, 2007. National Review. 2007
