Racial and Ethnic Politics in the U.S.
Can We All Get Along:  The Roots of the American Dilemma
Based on McClain and Stewart, 3-14


“Can We All Get Along”
 title taken from quote by Rodney King
 April 29, 1992 L.A. riots

De Toqueville on Democracy in America
America 1835

If there ever are great revolutions [in America] they will be caused by the presence of the blacks upon American soil…It will not be the equality of social conditions but rather their inequality which may give rise hitherto.”


Why would equality be a threat to democracy?

Was de Tocqueville correct?  Have racial inequalities fostered great revolutions in the U.S.?

Gunnar Myrdal, 1944, An American Dilemma

Fundamental contradiction in U.S. society between strong commitment to democratic values and racial oppression



The American Founding

How did race affect the American founding, i.e, the origins of our political system, institutions, citizenship?
 

What references to race and/or slavery are in the Constitution?

1) three-fifths compromise
2) fugitive slave clause
3) allows 20-year period before Congress could act to limit the importation of slaves

 

Does the “American dilemma” still exist?

Note that answering yes requires acceptance of the premise that racial oppression still exists.

The McClain and Stewart book focuses on documenting that such a dilemma still exists by exposing disparities in economic, political power and representation in the U.S. 

What attempts have been made to resolve the American dilemma?