Today I will learn about Ethnic minority representation and participation in the

USA.

Representation and Participation of Ethnic Minorities

Fact file – Presidents by race/ethnic group and gender to

2012 (44 in total)White 43

Hispanic 0

Black 1

Asian 0

Native American 0

Men 44

Women 0

Minorities in Congress Today (2012)

House of (435)

Representatives

Senate(100)

Total

Hispanic 27 (6.2%) 3 (3%) 30 (5.6%)

Black 42 (9.7%) 1 (1%) 43 (8%)

Asian 6 (1.4%) 2 (2%) 8 (1.5%)

Native American

0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)

Women 75 (17%) 16 (16%)

91 (17%)

Men 360 (83%) 84 (84%)

444 (83%)

REPRESENTATION

In the USA, Blacks and Hispanics have never been properly represented in Congress in proportion to their numbers in population. However, the situation has started to improve.

African-Americans in Congress

• Collectively called the Black Caucus

• Very influential• Special interests as a

group – look out for rights of African Americans

• All Democrats

• Despite the strength of the Black Caucus, Blacks are still under-represented in Congress.

• African-Americans are 13% of the population• House has 42 members - 10% of total• Senate had 1 member - 1% of total

African-Americans in Congress

Hispanic influence

• Hispanics make up 15% of the population

• Hispanics are still under-represented in Congress with 27 Congressmen (6%) and only 3 Senators (3%).

• Hispanics are participating much more in politics than in previous years

Take the heading: Political Progress of Ethnic Minorities

ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE USA HAVE MADE POLITICAL

PROGRESS

ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE USA HAVE NOT MADE MUCH

POLITICAL PROGRESS

Copy and complete the table by putting the following information into the correct column of the table.

Many ethnic minorities cannot vote because they cannot fill in the complicated registration forms.

Many Hispanics cannot register because they are illegal immigrants.

The growing African American middle class participate in voting and show great support for the Democratic party.

Asian Americans believe participation through voting has helped many of them achieve the American Dream.

Many ethnic minorities now see voting as a waste of time as participation has not helped them get out of the poverty trap.

More role models- Barack Obama was elected in 2008. Number of African Americans elected to Congress is on the increase.Hispanics do not have as many role models in important political positions as Blacks do – eg. Obama.As Blacks and Hispanics are under-represented in the richest group of Americans, they may find it very difficult to get the financial backing required to run a national election campaign.

Give two reasons why political participation by ethnic minorities in the USA is lower than for other groups. (General Level, 4 marks)

Political participation by ________ minorities (blacks and ________ )may be lower because there are fewer minority ________ models to look up to. There had never, until 2008, been a black or hispanic, _________and there are far fewer people from these groups in _______than there should be, considering how much of the population is black or hispanic. The situation is really poor in the ________, and not quite so bad in the House of Representatives.Secondly, ethnic minorities tend to come from a _________ background, with less education and lower wages. It has been shown that there is a _________ link between wealth and _______ in politics, so it's not surprising that ethnic minorities are less likely to participate.

Directrole

Hispanic participation President

Poorer Ethnic Congress Senate

Political Participation

Before you can vote in the USA you must be registered to vote.

In the 2008 Presidential election 71% of the total

population was registered to vote (only 64% voted). Black and Hispanic voters are less likely to register, although

there has been an increase in recent years. Turnout is

therefore quite low.

Why is voter registration so low?

1.The registration procedure can be complicated.

2.Some groups feel that voting is a waste of time.

3.In some rural areas it might be difficult to get to the polling station.

4.Many people are happy with the way the government is run.

5.Many are illegal immigrants and not qualify to vote.

Give two reasons why political participation by ethnic minorities in the USA is lower than for other groups. (General Level, 4 marks)

Representation of Ethnic Minorities in the USA

As we go through the next few slides, add information to the spider-diagram below…

REPRESENTATION OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE US GOVERNMENT

Standard Grade Modern StudiesSyllabus Area 3 – Ideologies - USA

PROGRESS - FACTS

• Before Bush, no non-white person had been named to any of the four most prestigious Cabinet jobs – at the Departments of State, Treasury, Defence and Justice.

PROGRESS – FACTS continued

• Colin Powell became the first African-American Secretary of State in 2001.

PROGRESS – FACTS continued

• 26 January 2005, Condoleezza Rice (Black) became Secretary of State.

• Previously, National Security Advisor.

The Cabinet cont…

• Alberto R. Gonzales – Attorney General, Department of Justice – 3 Feb 2005.

• First Hispanic to hold one of the powerful “big four” Cabinet jobs.

PROGRESS – FACTS continued

• Number of African Americans elected to Congress is on the increase.

• In 2001, there were 39 Blacks, which was 7.3% of the total.

• In 2008, there were 43 Blacks, which is 8% of the total.

UNDER-REPRESENTATION - FACTS

• There had never been an ethnic minority President of the USA until Barack Obama was elected in 2008.

UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF HISPANICS - EXPLAINED

• Hispanics do not have as many role models in important political positions as Blacks do.

• Language and education barriers.

• Racist attitudes.

UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS - EXPLAINED

• Racist attitudes.

• Poor education.

UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS AND HISPANICS

EXPLAINED• To do well in American politics, a

candidate needs to have, or be backed by, a lot of money.

• As Blacks and Hispanics are under-represented in the richest group of Americans, they may find it very difficult to get the financial backing required to run a national election campaign.

Representation in the US Government

What you will learn…

• About statistics to do with the 2008 Presidential election

• About minorities involvement in the US Government

Fact file – Presidents by race/ ethnic group and gender to

2008White 43

Hispanic 0

Black 1

Asian 0

Native American 0

Men 44

Women 0

Minorities in Congress Today

House of (435)

Representatives

Senate(100)

Total

Hispanic 27 (6.2%) 3 (3%) 30 (5.6%)

Black 42 (9.7%) 1 (1%) 43 (8%)

Asian 6 (1.4%) 2 (2%) 8 (1.5%)

Native American

0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)

Women 75 (17%) 16 (16%)

91 (17%)

Men 360 (83%) 84 (84%)

444 (83%)

Facts - 2008

• There were no black members of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives or the Senate

• Women made up over 50% of the population but only accounted for 16% of the Senate and 17% of the HoR

• 24 Hispanics in the House were Democrat and 3 Republican

Facts – 2008 cont…

• 2 Hispanics in the Senate were Democrat and 1 was Republican

• All the Asian and Pacific Islanders in Congress were Democrats

Amounts raised and spent in the 2008 presidential election by the 2

main candidates

Raised(Millions)

Spent(Millions)

Barack ObamaDemocrat Party

$532.9 million

$513.5 million

John McCainRepublican Party

$379.0 million

$346.6 million

USA Presidential Election 2008

• The 2008 election in the USA encouraged more Americans to participate in an election than at any time in nearly 50 years

• Barack Obama is a very charismatic man whose speeches created a very positive mood in many Americans

USA Presidential Election 2008

USA Presidential Election 2008

Who voted for Obama?

• Overwhelmingly won the Black vote

• Won 66% of the Hispanic vote• 66% of those aged under 30 voted

Obama• 60% of the votes came from

people earning less than $50,000 compared to 49% of those earning $50,000 or more

Who voted for Obama?

• Obama’s biggest success was winning 43% of the White vote

• In particular, 46% of White women voted Obama

• 62% of voters said that the biggest issue in the election was the economy, with the war in Iraq coming second at 10%