The issue of race

Race has long been a contentious issue in America. Because of the emotions involved, the question of race and racism is prominent in American politics. Several scholars discuss the relationship between racism and other aspects of life, with a focus on politics. History explains how several races converged in America and how this resulted in numerous intrigues. Prior to the Obama presidency, many people saw race as a major factor in making decisions. The trend had been going on for centuries until Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. However, the change towards tolerance on the races that were considered inferior in the past starts way back before Obama declared the interest in politics. Questions emerge on the driving forces that led to change of attitude in America. Observably, race is still a relevant point of discussion in American politics despite its concealed nature.
Evidently, the suppressive historical past in America seems to have generated a feeling of hatred on some minor races (Kaufmann 200). For example, African Americans and other minor groups were not allowed to vote in the past. Through several struggles, they were able to make a breakthrough and participate in the electoral process. Later, they were also allowed to elect their own people to represent them in political positions. Despite the achievement realized after a struggle with the white dominating the government, many minor races still felt underrated and found themselves sharing similar experiences.
Kaufmann (199) demonstrates the connection between the Latinos and African Americans in politics. According to the scholar, the common experiences of the two races formed the basis of their unity in politics. In large numbers, members from the two races built electoral alliances where they had a platform of sharing their political desires. Kaufmann (204) argues that the Latinos developed a feeling of closeness to the African-Americans. As a result, they created the Pan-Latino affinity to survive from the perceived discrimination as well as the racially charged American politics. However, the researcher predicts the disintegration of the alliance as Latinos push for their own representation in politics.
Bejarano Christina (62) continues with the elaboration of the Latinos' involvement in politics where she argues that apart from the issue of race, gender is a factor as well. Accordingly, the researcher indicates that women's consciousness is developing in the race. Hence, females are pushing their way into all-inclusive elections where they may have a voice. In other words, the scholar suggests that in politics, the concept of race is not a sole issue since the society requires more than ethic-related identities. Needless to say, Bejarano indicates that Obama received 75% support from Latinos, a clear demonstration of what Kauffmann refers to as Pan-Latinos alliance. At the same time, she shows that there was a 55% support from women in the country. Apparently, the issue of how gender affects political narratives in America is clear. As noted by the writer, the Latino voters act as swing ones that contribute the massive support to the win of the Democratic Party with few supporting the Republicans.
Remarkably, Ramakrishnan Karthick (522) observes that the majority of Asian Americans for Obama in 2008 as well as in 2012. He notes that the Asians were among the other races including African-Americans and Latinos who also voted for the candidate. Notably, he questions whether the vote for Obama by Asians was due to the fact that the candidate was black or a feeling of solidarity with other minority groups. Debatably, the issue of race played a significant role. The Asians, having felt downgraded by the populous whites, found the refuge by joining the coalition of other minor races. The vote became a protest and a creation of a new narrative of change that other races can make a difference in America. Moreover, the researcher also believes that the ideals that Obama fronted were pleasant to the Asians who felt considered unlike in the past. Obama, being a good orator, was able to convince many races including the whites to vote for him. Further, the author explains that the party inclination of Obama left many voters with no choice. There are people who cannot elect a leader from the Republican, a factor that inclined them to elect Obama.
The Need to Further Look into Race
Studies have revealed that race is the central issue in America because of the glaring inequalities (Weaver and Lerman 153). Racism keeps re-appearing every time the world seems to have forgotten about its existence in the United States. For example, Weaver and Lerman (153) elaborate on the victimization of other races in America. In their study, they reveal how the election of Obama, from a black race, did not contribute much to the end of race victimization. Hence, they show the positive side where the African Americans began to participate in elections. In the past, they avoided the exercise because those contesting did not acknowledge the incarceration of blacks and other races because of color rather than offenses committed. Shockingly, the duo indicates the continued increase of the blacks in police cells and prisons whose offenses do not conform to the punishment they receive. In other words, there are more black people as compared to whites who are jailed.
Further, Pettit and Western (153) also lament the growing trend of unfairness in imprisoning. They argue that the basis is on the level of one's education and, above all, skin color. It follows that the blacks become prime suspects for criminal activities committed. They are prosecuted and, in many cases, denied parole leading to incarceration for a long period of time. Besides, the police brutality towards the blacks is on the rise as compared to the white populace. The researchers explain that, owing to the partiality in the judicial system as well as the police sector, the matter of racially charged punishment will be a topic of the discussion. It is evident that debates concerning the race are inevitable as long as there is inequality in the society. The fact that Obama, an African-American, became a president did not change the treatment in America much. The small reduction in the change of attitude towards other races in America suggests the continued need to consider race an everyday topic. Threats from law enforcers directed towards minority races deserve condemnation. The dominating whites should not perceive other races as a threat to the social order.
The Future of Race in America
Despite the temptation to stop discussing race in America, it is inevitable that the subject will also be relevant. From a constitutional perspective, several occurrences in the past dictate that the future of America will have racism still at the epicenter. Massey and Pren (1) trace the development from 1965 when the immigration laws were amended. Before then, in the 1920s, other races were excluded from the active participation in politics. The amendment saw the inclusion of immigrants from South and Eastern Europe. The group included Jews who were considered rebellious to assimilation. The blacks and the Asians who had been effectively banned from engaging in politics in the past were involved as well. Despite the acceptance of other races, American has continued to be adversely mentioned when it comes to racism. The many minority races still feel rejected by the dominant whites that seek to show superiority above others. The glaring inequality, therefore, serves as an inspiration that the discussion on race has not come to end but must continue as an essential discourse.
Conclusion
American remains at the center of heated discussions in politics because of the element of race. The inequality among races in the country has set the pace for the stiff competition for supremacy. Minor races including Asians, African Americans, and Latinos among others have been seeking for influence in a country that is a conglomerate of many races. Remarkably, the country has recorded many positive developments against racism but continues to face challenges from few individuals who want to maintain the status quo. The entry of former President Obama gave a false hope that America was shifting from divisive racism. However, other issues concerning the persistent brutality of the police towards non-white races as well as the incarceration of minor races emerged. Hence, the subject of minor groups will always be relevant in America because of the inequalities. At the same time, people tend to habitually unite based on commonalities. Thus, the whites will want to be together as much as other races unite as well. However, the minor groups may unite and form alliances to seek influence to the same extent as the whites have.

Works Cited
Bejarano, Christina. "Latino Gender and Generation: Gaps in Political Ideology." Politics & Gender, vol. 10, 2014, pp. 62-88.
Kaufmann, Karen. "Cracks in the Rainbow: Group Commonality as a Basis for Latino and African-American Political Coalitions." Political Research Quarterly, 2002, pp. 199-210.
Massey, Douglas, and Karen Pren. "Unintended Consequences of US Immigration Policy: Explaining the Post-1965 Surge from Latin America." Population and Development Review, vol. 38, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1-12.
Pettit, Becky, and Bruce Western. "Mass Imprisonment and the Life Course: Race and Class Inequality in U.S. Incarceration Source." American Sociological Association, vol. 69, no. 2, 2004, pp. 151-169.
Ramakrishnan, Karthick. "Asian Americans and the Rainbow: the Prospects and Limits of Coalitional Politics." Routledge, 2014, pp. 522-529.
Weaver, Vesla, and Amy Lerman. "Political Consequences of the Carceral State." American Political Science Review Page, 2010, pp. 1-17.