Why Minorities Must Vote and Make Their Voices Count
Minority voting rights in America has been a full-on battle. In America, minorities were banned from voting and beyond that, were ostracized because their ethnic origins differed from Anglo Americans.
It wasn’t too long ago that minorities were determined to make their votes count. Today, it is an inherent right of all legal Americans, aged 18 years and older, to vote.
As a matter of fact, it is indeed a privilege given the suppressive history surrounding the circumstances that led to American minorities being granted this right.
In order to give you a good idea of the struggle minorities faced, I conducted research and put together quick summaries about five different minority groups and what led to their voices being heard.
5 Minority Groups in America that were Determined to Vote
WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE (1920)
The women’s suffrage movement spanned many decades. However, in 1920, Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in state and federal elections.
Unfortunately, not all women had this right. Minority women who were denied U.S. citizenship, such as Asian and Native Americans, still could not vote.
And, neither could African American women even though the 14th Amendment granted them citizenship in 1868.
ASIAN AMERICAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE (1952)
Another group facing discrimination in the United States were Asian Americans.
However, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, was a game changer.
This bill granted all people with Asian roots, living in America, the right to become U.S. citizens. It also gave them the power to vote.
NATIVE AMERICAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE (1962)
Since the beginning of America’s history, Native Americans have faced genocide, discrimination, intimidation, and exploitation.
In 1924, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S., but they still couldn’t vote.
Then, in 1947, a few states were required to remove legal barriers to voting, but Indians still faced poll taxes and literacy tests. It wasn’t until 1962 that they received full voting rights across the nation.
AFRICAN AMERICAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE (1965)
For more than a century, Black Americans faced not only racial discrimination, but also other biases regarding voting, like poll taxes and literacy tests.
It wasn’t until 1965, when the Voting Rights Act was passed, that all U.S. citizens were given the right to vote. The bill falls under the 14th and 15th Amendments, and was a massive achievement stemming from the civil rights movement.
Though, Black Americans gained the right to vote, they still face discrimination and systemic racism.
18-YEAR-OLD’S RIGHT TO VOTE (1971)
When the 26th Amendment passed in 1971, it granted voting rights to 18-year-olds. This particular amendment was a result of Vietnam War-related protests.
These protests were sparked because of an unfairness in the system experienced by younger Americans.
The premise was, if people are permitted to fight in war at age 18, then they are old enough to vote. Therefore, the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
Making a Difference Through Your Right to Vote
America’s history was rooted in war, oppression, and sadly, racism. Minority voting rights were virtually nonexistent for a long time.
Unfortunately, laws in this country were created by the nation’s founding fathers — all white men — who sought to preserve the rights of white Americans.
Truly, I don’t even like putting that in writing but it’s clear when you read about America’s history. The fact is, all non-white races were excluded from having the same rights that white Americans were given.
Had it not been for these minority groups banning together and making their voices heard, their right to vote would probably not have been given.
In fact, between 50 to 100 years ago (which isn’t that long of a time frame), minorities were rallying for their right to vote.
With these facts in mind, it’s imperative to understand the impact of minority voting rights. You must make a difference within the nation you live, to privately cast your vote for the candidate you think is best qualified.
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