Blacks and the political process

‘The Black Vote’

• Traditionally Democratic since The New Deal and the Voting Rights Act.

• Roughly 90% vote Democrat.

• Democrats seen to be more concerned with Black interests of welfare and social reforms.

• Republicans making some progress winning the Black middle class

African-Americans in Congress

• Collectively called the Black Caucus

• Currently wield 20% of the House vote

• Very influential• Senior members control

some Congressional committees

• Special interests as a group

African-Americans in Congress (2)

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

• African-Americans are 12.3% of the population

• House has 41 members. 10% of total

• Senate has 1 member. 1% of total

• Admittedly Barack Obama has done ok!

9%< 1%1%83%5%< 1%< 1%African AmericanAmerican IndianAsianCaucasianHispanicPacific IslanderVietnamese

African American 41

American Indian 1

Asian 6

Caucasian 366

Hispanic 24

Pacific Islander 1

Vietnamese 1

Redistricting

• Also known as ‘Gerrymandering’

• Means to alter voting districts to ensure a particular result

• Has resulted in MORE Blacks in Congress.

• BUT effectively LESS influence!

• Motor-Voter law tried and failed to attract large number of new Black voters

African-American disenfranchisement

• Blacks are 5-10% less likely to vote than Whites.

• Disillusionment with politics

• Less educated• Gerrymandered districts.

Expect a Black victory anyway

• Less media aware• West-East time delay

• 10 states practice life disenfranchisement for convicted felonies

• Affects Blacks much more than Whites

• 31% of Black Floridians denied the vote – changed 2000 election

• Voting process regarded by some as anti - Black

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Republicans and African-Americans

• Republicans believe with a concerted effort they can woo the Black middle classes away from the Democrats.

• George W. Bush has appointed some very high profile African-Americans.

Hurricane Katrina• Incompetent handling by GWB led

to widespread disillusion among Blacks with the Republicans.

• Many prominent Blacks were openly critical of the government and accused it of racism and double standards.

• This undoubtedly damaged the Republican attempt to win the Black middle class.

• Hurricane Gustav has given the Republicans the opportunity to ‘repair’ damaged relations with the Black community.

• Again, it is the Black community who are most affected.

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