Minority Politics I

Introduction

The United States has transformed into a multicultural and ethnically diverse community . At present , Census statistics show that 69 percent of the US population is Caucasian . However , they view that that number will significantly decrease to about 64 percent by the year 2010 . The numbers that have been decreased from that population will then add up to the other minority groups . In 2010 , Asians will make up 5 percent , African Americans 12 percent , and Hispanics will comprise approximately 15 percent of the population

In line with this ethnically diverse community

come the issues regarding racial equality as well . These range from racial equality in the economic aspects through employment opportunities , in the societal aspects such as societal acceptance and equal treatment , and in the political aspect in terms of government administration and representation

At present , one of the most pertinent s that are prevalent in the United States politics is the representation of minorities in the government . Shrouded by this controversy is the issue of citizenship

Citizenship is defined as the membership in a political community (originally a city or town but now usually a country ) and is in parallel with nationality , although it is possible to have a nationality without being a citizen (i .e , be legally subject to a state and entitled to its protection without having rights of political participation in it Having been identified as a citizen of a country entitles one with a multitude of rights . One of which is the right to political participation

Having been a democratic country , the United States grants its citizens the right to fully participate in the political system of the United States . Moreover , they are represented and protected abroad by the United States , and are allowed to reside in certain territories primarily in the United States . without any immigration requirements

To be able to attain citizenship in the United States , they are many ways . Primary of which is being naturally born in the U .S . This can be done through birth within the territories of the United States by U .S or non-U .S . citizens , Through birth abroad to two United States citizens (if both their parents were U .S . citizens at the time of their birth and at least one of their parents lived in the United States prior to their birth , Through birth abroad to one United States citizen (If one of his or her parents was a U .S . citizen at the time of the person in question 's birth The citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United States before his or her child 's birth and At least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were after the citizen parent 's 14th birthday

Also , citizenship can be achieved through naturalization . Naturalization is the process by which one becomes a citizen of a country . If not a U .S . citizen , one may be eligible to become one through naturalization However there are numerous factors that hinder people towards the...