Race and Representation in Congress Essay - 5076 Words

Race and Representation in Congress The topic of race, redistricting, and minority representation in Congress has emerged as one of the most salient issues in contemporary political thought. The creation of so#8209;called majority minority districts has been attacked as unfair and racially polarizing by some observers and ultimately struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The study of race in relation to American politics and institutions, and, in particular, to the institution of Congress, has produced a wealth of research and literature in recent years. This scope of budding research ranges from legislative activity and Congressional voting to the electoral process and campaigning. This study examines the effects of†¦show more content†¦The exclusion of these groups is for the sake of clarity and focus; the topic of women and Hispanics and their effects on all aspects of American politics is deserving of concentrated studies separate from this one. In order to best present this argument, it is necessary to begin with an informative review of current and significant literature on the topic of the politics of race in the US Congress. This will provide a better understanding of the implications of race in Congressional constituencies. Following this literature review, a case study of four different House members and a comparison of their campaigning and constituency interaction will be presented. History of Blacks in Congress To comprehend the issue of racial redistricting and representation in Congress, it is important to have a good understanding of the basic historical and contemporary concepts involved. Currently, racial gerrymandering is defined as a process of creating heavily minority populated Congressional districts, or majority minority districts (Grofman 359). The purpose of these districts is to enfranchise and empower the black electorate through increased political representation in order to overcome a history of discrimination. Generally, a majority minority district needs 65% or more black voters in order to possess meaningful representative power and, more to the point, elect blackShow MoreRelatedAmerican Politics And The United States Congress Essay952 Words   |  4 Pagesscholars have sought to understand the causes of increasing partisanship and polarization in the United States Congress. Since the 1970s, the ideological positions of the two major U.S. parties, the Democratic and R epublican parties, have widened (Abramowitz and Saunders, 2008; Levendusky; 2010). This ideological divide also promotes a perception among the American public that Congress has increasingly become ineffective and polarized to a point where political parties in government no longer compromiseRead MoreFramers of the Constitution1047 Words   |  5 Pagesrepublican principle of limited government, the three institutions in the government that embodies the commitment of representation: the House of Representatives, the senate, and the presidency, amendments of the constitution that expand the democratic representation, and passages that expresses the republican principle of popular sovereignty There are many powers given to congress by the Constitution, but at the same time there are many powers denied to it as well. For example, amendment one- ReligionRead MoreRestricting the Voting Rights of Felons1491 Words   |  6 PagesRights Act due to its significant impact on minorities and men, as it hinders their ability to participate in elections in swing states where the popular vote is known to be close. Citizens in these states have a greater influence on American representation; therefore every vote counts. However despite this knowledge one in every five black adults are unable to vote because of felon disenfranchisement laws (Holding). Consequently sabotaging the true â€Å"democratic process† (Siegel â€Å"Felon DisenfranchisementRead MoreCongressional Representation : Richard F. Fenno Essay1634 Words   |  7 PagesIn an era where strong partisan divisiveness continues to paralyze Congress, The Challenge of Congressional Representation offers a well-formulat ed, insightful study of the intricate relationship between Congress and their home constituencies. It invokes nostalgia for a time before the Tea Party insurgency and the dreadful Citizens United decision – a time when Congress members put â€Å"country before party†, by listening to the people they represent rather than their echo chamber and the unlimitedRead MoreThe Framers Of The U.s. Constitution Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pages What I will be addressing in this paper is whether members of both houses of Congress should be allowed to consistently hold a position as long as they are reelected or if an amendment to the Constitution imposing term limits should be ratified. I will analyze differing viewpoints relating to the subject and determine if there is enough evidence to support that term limits would benefit Americans. History of Congress and Term Limits Before the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the federal governmentRead MoreImpact Of The 14th And 15th Amendment Under U.s. Policy1154 Words   |  5 Pageschanges. Impact of the 14th and 15th Amendment under U.S. Policy The 14th Amendment was ratified July 9, 1868 giving citizenship to all persons including former slaves. Any state that went against the constitution was punished, reducing their representation in Congress. The Amendment banned those who engaged in rebellion against the States from holding any civil, military or elected office without approval of two-thirds of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This Amendment didn’t authorize anyRead MoreThe Detrimental Practice of Gerrymandering1004 Words   |  5 Pagesknown as gerrymandering, occurs in nearly every state. While some claim that the practice helps America, in reality gerrymandering harms American democracy and safety. Gerrymandering greatly affects society, and must become illegal to insure fair representation, the democratic processes in America continues, and America continues to thrive. When gerrymandering occurs, a political party draws the boundaries of an electoral district in a way that helps their party win elections over the other partiesRead MoreCongress: Full of Tricks1178 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Congress† was established in response to the weakness of the Government that the â€Å"Articles of the Confederation† had exposed and also as a compromise between the larger and smaller states. The representatives of the larger States wanted to lord it over the smaller states but â€Å"The Framers of the Constitution wanted to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few†. (K Janda, Berry, Goldman, Shildkraut, Hula pg. 268) So, in an effort to please everyone the great compromise was made whichRead MorePresidential Election : Electoral College1647 Words   |  7 Pageselections, including the election of 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000, have resulted in the popular vote’s choice losing. Contrary to the Electoral College, prop ortional representation (PR) systems allocate electoral votes proportionately, based off of percentages voters cast, and, therefore, do not include the winner-take-all strategy. Thus, Congress should enact a proportional allocation of the electoral vote system in replacement of the Electoral College to ensure that political minorities have a fair voiceRead MoreSpeech Before Congress By Carrie Chapman Catt1429 Words   |  6 PagesThree years after â€Å"Speech before Congress† was delivered by Carrie Chapman Catt, a well-known leader of the women s suffragist movement, women granted the right to vote and receive all rights as citizens. Catt’s speech was a major stepping stone for Congress to pass the 19th amendment. She was able to deliver her speech in a manner which was persuasive to congress because it encompassed all the rhetorical appeals. Catt crafted her argument by presenting herself with authority and knowledge, she