TITLE:
Race and Caste: Its Impact on the American Political System
AUTHORS:
Howard A. Palley
KEYWORDS:
Race, Caste, “The American Dilemma”, Voting Rights
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.11 No.3,
July
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: The American Constitution’s commitment to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity” did not include the enslaved black population that suffered the
cruelty of chattel slavery. The black population was not considered full
citizens. This essay contends that the residue of this situation still affects
U.S. politics—in a significant manner. This analysis examines the historical background
of race and caste in American society. It includes the political history of
race and caste in the political process since the passage of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 up until contemporary events—including
contemporary politics.