Summary

The web content discusses the shifting political allegiances of minority voters in the United States, particularly African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and the impact of historical events like the civil rights movement and World War II internment of Japanese Americans on contemporary voting patterns.

Abstract

The article "Democrats and Republicans and Minority Voters" explores the evolution of minority voting blocs in the U.S., noting that a significant majority of Black, Latino, and Asian American voters now lean towards the Democratic Party. It highlights the importance of the upcoming presidential election and the efforts by both Democrats and Republicans to secure the minority vote. The text delves into the historical context of this shift, referencing Richard Nixon's concerns about the Republican Party becoming all-white if it followed Barry Goldwater's stance on civil rights, and the subsequent impact of civil rights legislation in the 1960s. It also touches on the anti-immigration rhetoric and policies of the Trump administration, which have influenced perceptions of the Republican Party among minority groups. The article underscores the significance of the minority vote in the current political landscape and reflects on the personal impact of historical political decisions, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, on individual voting choices.

Opinions

The Democratic Party is portrayed as more inclusive and supportive of minority rights, attracting a diverse base of voters.
The Republican Party is criticized for its anti-immigration policies and rhetoric, which are seen as contributing to a perception of the party as racist.
The article suggests that wealthy Democrats demonstrate a concern for the less fortunate by aligning with a party traditionally seen as representing the working class.
The historical actions of the Republican Party, such as Barry Goldwater's approach to civil rights, are presented as foundational to the party's current predominantly white demographic.
The author indicates that the Republican Party's stance on immigration and other issues sends a message to Asian Americans and other minority groups that they are not welcome.
The personal narrative of the author and their brother, both of Japanese descent, illustrates the long-lasting impact of political decisions, such as Executive Order 9066, on voting behavior and party loyalty.
The article emphasizes the importance of voting, especially in the context of the upcoming election, and encourages readers not to let the coronavirus pandemic deter them from exercising their right to vote.

Democrats and Republicans and Minority Voters

Minorities are now mostly Democrats

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln

With an extremely important election coming up very soon, people are making decisions. Being a Presidential election year, campaigns are gearing up as they enter the final lap. November will be here before we know it, and there is a lot of work being done by those running for office along with their supporters. Trying to convince voters to cast their ballot for their specific candidate takes a lot of work and money. They are trying to influence minority people to vote their way.

In the Presidential election, Joe Biden is generally leading in the polls although Trump is the incumbent, which is usually an advantage. Trump and the Republican National Committee are able to fundraise effectively among their wealthy supporters. Democrats have done well with fundraising. There are even more billionaire donors for Biden than Trump at this point. Democrats try to get many grassroots supporters which mean smaller donations but more of them.

The minority vote is important, and both major parties are trying to get the blocs of votes which may be possible in some areas from minority voters. Black voters are now predominantly Democrats as are many people of Latino and Asian background.

Of course, Republicans insist that they are not racist. They say that they are concerned about all minorities and also poor people. Their actions usually speak more loudly than their claims that they have charity and concern for minorities and those who are less fortunate. Trump, with his anti-immigration policies and rhetoric, has added to the Republicans being seen as racist.

The Democratic party has long been touted as the party for the working and ordinary people in the population. It is admirable when very wealthy people are Democrats because it generally shows that they care for those who are less fortunate than they are. More of the wealthy are Republicans as has always been the case.

* * * * *

Ronald Franklin wrote an article for History of Yesterday and Medium called “How the Republican Party Became Almost All White.” He talked about how Richard Nixon in 1962 said, “It is a mistake for the party to accept the beliefs of Sen. Barry Goldwater and write off the Negro vote. If Goldwater wins his fight, our party would eventually become the first major all-white political party. And that isn’t good.”

Barry Goldwater was a Senator from Arizona who became the Republican nominee for President in 1964. He said, “We’re not going to get the Negro vote as a bloc in 1964 and 1968, so we ought to go hunting where the ducks are.” The white racist South was where they promoted his views.

Civil rights legislation was a big topic in 1964. It had been proposed by President John F. Kennedy the previous year. This legislation would outlaw discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and would end racial segregation in schools, employment, and public accommodations. It would also prohibit unequal application of voter registration requirements.

Black Americans, of course, were in favor of passage of the bill. Goldwater catered to the Southern whites who were opposed to any civil rights legislation. He branded himself as a Conservative who was an advocate for states rights. He lost the election to President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had taken office in November 1963 after President Kennedy was assassinated.

Since that time, the majority of Black voters have traditionally voted Democratic. There have been quite a number of prominent Black Republicans in high positions. Some of the most famous are Dr. Ben Carson, Colin Powell, Don King, Condoleezza Rice, Edward Brooke, and Herman Cain (who recently passed away from the coronavirus).

* * * * *

Asian Americans who were relatively affluent, well-educated, and entrepreneurial, voted heavily Republican for President George H. W. Bush. That was 28 years ago. It has been downhill since then for the Republican party among Asian Americans.

Having become the fastest growing sector of the American electorate, the number of Asian American voters has more than doubled since 2000. They will vote overwhelmingly for Joe Biden and other Democrats this November according to experts on Asian American politics. They could make the difference in a handful of swing states.

“Rarely in American history has a voting group shifted so quickly from one party to the other as have Asian Americans,” Tom Patterson wrote. He is the Benjamin C. Bradlee Professor of Politics at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center. He is the author of the book, “Is the Republican Party Destroying Itself?” Patterson observes that more newly arrived Asian Americans get the message from Republicans that “they are not really welcome here.” Republicans have been known as the anti-immigration party.

Asian Americans are a diverse group. They are a small percentage of the U.S. population but are growing at the fastest rate. Many who were Republicans because they are quite conservative have become less Republican.

* * * * *

My brother and I are Americans who were born of Japanese immigrant parents. My brother is a very conservative Republican who said he will vote for Biden. I knew he was a fan of Barry Goldwater because he named his son after Goldwater in 1963. Some time ago, way after I had finished college, my brother told me that he could not become a Democrat because of what President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, did to the Japanese Americans during World War II.

After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the United States entered the war with Japan, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. This gave the military commander in certain areas the authority to remove any persons from the zones over which he had command.

The commander over Hawaii, which had 150,000 people of Japanese descent, said that the order was not necessary in the Islands. He felt that anyone potentially dangerous to the United States had already been arrested. He didn’t think the others in the Japanese population were any threat.

The order was enforced on the West Coast of the continental United States, and 120,000 people were forcibly removed from their homes. They mostly ended up in one of ten American concentration camps which were constructed to imprison them.

My father had settled in Utah many years before the start of World War II. Because the order did not directly affect those who did not live on the West Coast, we were not required to leave our home. Some relatives who had voluntarily evacuated from California to Utah came to live with and near us.

Even though my family was not forced out of our home during World War II, my brother was deeply affected by the decision which uprooted so many other Japanese Americans. It was hard for him to forgive the Democrats although Republicans in power also supported the injustice.

* * * * *

The election which is coming up in November is an important one for every citizen of the United States. It is a privilege to vote. Don’t waste your vote. Don’t let the coronavirus pandemic prevent you from voting. Be sure to cast a ballot. Make a better America by voting.

“Too many people fought too hard to make sure all citizens of all colors, races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities can vote to think that not voting somehow sends a message.” — Luis Gutierrez

[Sources: Internet, Wikipedia, Medium]

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