Minorities in Congress Essay -- Congress Racism Politics Essays

Minorities in intercourseIn forming a political science for the people, by the people, and of the people, our Founding Fathers developed the idea a bi-cameral legislature. This copulation, composed of the field of operations of Representatives and Senate, thus became known as the peoples branch of governing body. American children are taught in schools that anyone can be elected to coitus, so prospicient as they meet the qualifications of the Constitution. So long as you meet the epoch and residency requirements you are indeed qualified to be a expectation for Congress. If we take a more in-depth look at the composition of Congress we see a body disproportionate with its Nation. Congress has maintained a fairly homogenous make-up since its founding even into the division 2001. This final result raises no eye brows as both the executive and judicial branches of government have also maintained a very white, male, Protestant resemblance. However, Congress was formed for a disti nct purpose to represent the people of the fall in States of America. The melting pot of Americas huddled masses has been behind in placing leaders that truly represent its demographics. There are a number of simple and complex reasons as to why this under-representation of minorities has occurred. Who is the real minority in Congress? This is not a simple partisan question, though it seems partisanship is a factor. An examination of the composition of the stream, 107th Congress will fetch owing(p)er light on where Congress stands as a vocalism body. A quick laundry list of the minorities in the United States universe under-represented might read as such African-Americans, Women, Black Women, Hispanics, Gays and Lesbians, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, Indians (Native Americans). every(prenominal) of the above groups have a unique history in seek for greater representation. We now examine some of those histories in trying to coiffure why Americas Congress does no t look same(p) Americas people. While Voting Rights legislation had a great impact on changing the composition of Congress, other factors exist as barriers to minority representation in Congress. One of these is the use of single-member districts. Of great moot as to whether it is helping or hindering minority candidates is the establishment of minority districting and the use of racial gerrymandering. The question of constitutionality and these dist... ...tion has focused attention on the problems of our current system of voting. With the disproportionate amount of minorities being represented in Congress today, a change in the voting system is inevitable unless the two parties make a concerted effort to draw larger minority support and offer up minority candidates. Political reforms other than comparative representation may prove to favor minority candidates. Those looking to specialize the gap in Congress have looked at term limits and parkway finance reform. The idea that term limits would aid minorities comes from the fact that incumbents are so much more successful in elections. While there is ever a call by reformers of government to implement term limits, the luck of this occurring seems quite slim. However, campaign finance reform is making headway this year in Congress. Supporters of reform argue that it would open access to greater candidates desire election and not just those supported by the big property interests or soft money backing of parties. This augmentation of viability for a candidate would nurture the chances of minorities becoming candidates, thus enabling their representation in Congress.