In the United States, ethnic minorities and women have historically been underrepresented in Congress compared to their proportions of the population. While Barack Obama was the first African American president, minorities make up a small percentage of members of Congress. There are only a few minority senators and congressmen. Similarly, women comprise a small minority of senators and congresswomen. However, representation of ethnic minorities has begun to improve at the local and state levels, where minorities have more success in mayoral and state legislative elections.

1. Representation and underrepresentation in the USA
American politics does not reflect the fact that
it is a multi-cultural society. Ethnic Minorities are
not well represented at state or national level.
Although Barack Obama is an African American,
this is the first black President out of 44; the
other 43 have been white men. There has never
been a female President of the USA.
In congress there is limited ethnic minority
participation. There is only 1 black senator out of
100! And only 43 black congressmen out of 435.
Only 4 Hispanic senators (meaning 95 senators
are white!) and 34 congressmen. A total of 77 out
of 435 congressmen are Ethnic minorities.
Women are also limited in participation and
representation. There are only 20 female
senators (80 are male) and only 81
congresswoman, the other 354 are men!
Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey – EM’s are
more likely to be elected at the Local level.
In the USA, Blacks, Hispanics and women have
never been properly represented in Congress in
proportion to their numbers in population.
However, the situation has started to improve.

Ethnic minorities are more likely to vote
in Mayoral and state representative
elections

Ethnic minority candidates tend to be
more successful in these elections

There has been a growth in the number
of EM Mayors and State Assembly
representatives

2. Social Reasons for lack of
Economic Reasons for lack of
Political Reasons for lack of
participation/representation
participation/representation
participation/representation
Ethnic Minorities
Ethnic Minorities
Ethnic Minorities

Lack of education, higher

Many poorer people have
dropout rates may lead to
a lack of faith in politics
a lack of political literacy
and may not be
and less political
interested
awareness

Need to be registered, less
likely to register

May be seen as a vote loser
in some areas due to
May focus on jobs and
Language and cultural
prejudice and racism
family and getting by,
barriers may lead to low


rather than on politics

Lack of role models
(Hispanics)
levels of political activity
Women
Women


May be seen as ‘mothers’

Sexist attitudes towards
Women
May Focus on family
May be seen as a vote loser

in some areas due to
Long hours involved
prejudice and sexism
voting for a women


rather than politics

Male dominance of politics
Males dominate politics
this may put some women
off
Nancy Pelosi, from California is one of only 80 women out of
435 congressmen in the House of Representatives
Activities
Q1 – What evidence is there that Ethnic Minorities are underrepresented in US politics?
Q2 – What evidence is there that Women are underrepresented in US politics?
Q3 – What evidence is there that representation is improving for Ethnic Minorities?
Q4 – Ethnic Minorities are more likely to be elected at a local level rather than at Federal level, can you think
of any reason why this may happen?
Q5 – Give a Social. Economic and Political reason, why women AND ethnic minorities are underrepresented in
the USA