Term paper

[Disclaimer: This journal summation represents an example for the term paper. Students

may not use this particular journal article as their journal article.]

Dr. Millie D. Black

GOVT 2306.2W1

July 2, 2018

[Disclaimer: This journal summation represents an example for the term paper. Students

may not use this particular journal article as their journal article nor use any information

written by Dr. Black in this journal summation.]

Author: Julie Novkov

Title of article: Rethinking Race in American Politics; Political Research Quarterly

Journal citation in APA format:

Novkov, Julie. 2008. Rethinking Race in American Politics. Political Research Quarterly, 61

(44): 649-659.

Paper subject: To a large degree, this article surrounds the subject matter of civil rights.

Specifically, Novkov (2008) is writing on the subject of political participation within the context

of civil rights.

Relating to the subject of American Government: This article makes direct connections with

American Government in several ways: (1) The journal article surrounds the subject matter of

political participation, which is an integral part of democracy and American Government, (2)

Novkov (2008) uses the 2008 presidential election as an exemplar in order to understand the

contemporary role of race and voting. Presidential elections, race, and voting are conventional

methods to participant in American Government. Additionally, in this course we examine issues

surrounding racial participation. Understanding participation through the racial lens is very

important given the long legacy of discrimination within the United States, (3) The author

considers the historical record (e.g. civil war, civil rights movement, Proposition 187, etc.) in

order to gain greater insights into some of the reasons Barack Obama secured the 2008

presidential election to become the 44th president of the United States. Within these subjects,

one can understand democracy in action. Democracy in action is an underlining principle within

American Government. Additionally, democracy in action is considered a basic right within

American Government.

Journal question: Novkov (2008) is asking whether America has truly moved beyond it legacy

of racialized discrimination with the election of its first African American president.

Journal’s thesis: Novkov (2008) states that throughout the most important historical moments in

America, one can find race playing a critical role. It is through these crucial racialized historical

times that Novkov (2008) believes (at least for now) race continues to play a significant role in

American politics in general and political participation (i.e. voting) in particular.

Why is the author writing the article? The author is at a symposium and recognized a common

theme among several papers. The common theme deals with the role of race in contemporary

American politics. Many individuals, commentators, and scholars continue to reject the thought

that race plays a salient/important role in determining vote behavior (outside the consensus that

most of the time African Americans vote for other African Americans). With that said, Novkov

(2008) wants to review the historical record through the lens of some popular theories in order to

help explain the role of race in voting. Most importantly, Novkov (2008) extends her study

beyond the usual black-white comparison to include Mexican Americans. Moreover, to answer

the “who cares” question, this article’s subject matter is important for “We the People’s”

thinking and understanding about whose goals will win out and how and at what cost will office-

seekers try to gain as many votes possible.

Scholarly debate: The scholarly debates throughout the article surround various thoughts about

leading theories explaining the contemporary role of race in political participation. The scholarly

debates are encompassed within two broad approaches: (1) cultural racial approach and (2)

structural racial approach. The cultural approach to understanding the role of race and political

participation underscores the current effects caused by the institution of slavery. Researchers

believe that the institution of slavery and the effects thereafter (once slavery was abolished)

continue to influence how some individuals participate in politics today (see King and Smith

(2005) and Omi and Winant (1994). King and Smith (2005) believe that race is not overtly, but

covertly influencing political participation. This nation has moved away from more blatant acts

of discrimination. Consequently, race is revealed in less obvious, indirect ways. Omi and

Winant (1994) influenced King and Smith’s (2005) theory denoting the cultural race approach.

Omi and Winant (1994) argue that race continues to play a major role because whites want to

maintain political supremacy. Others such as Fong illustrate how at particular historical times

race has been absent or has played a secondary role to other political components such as

ideology. Moreover, the cultural theory highlights the presence of race (and its importance)

because of the historical legacy of racial discrimination.

The structural approach denotes that individuals of particular races are skeptical of political

institutions. The historical record shows how Congress, Presidents, political parties, and various

Supreme Courts’ have interpreted constitutional rights along racial lines with minorities being

denied genuine access to political equality. Thus, keeping certain groups subjugated based on

social, economic, and political stereotypes. For example, such lawful, subjugated tactics were

Jim Crow laws and Proposition 187, which were applied to Blacks and Latinos, respectively.

Therefore, according to several scholars, race will continue to influence politics due to the

discriminatory practices at the institutional-level that prompts members of particular racial

groups to vote along safe lines (see Siegal 2004 and Jacobson 2008). It is these safe zones that

help explain some of the reasons why African Americans and other minority groups voted for

Barack Obama in the presidential election of 2008.

In addition, it would be inaccurate to portray race as the only salient component influencing

political participation. Novkov (2008) further examines the debates surrounding the impact of

ideology, class, and gender on vote behavior. Novkov (2008) recognizes the importance of these

additional components, but state these are subordinate in its influence to the salience of race. The

United States continues to be a raced-conscious country. Therefore, denying the importance of

race by proclaiming American is colorblind does nothing to further one’s understanding of the

importance of race and politics today.

Article findings: In stating the article’s findings, it is important to restate the question being

examined within the article. The question Novkov (2008) setouts to examine is the role of race

on political participation (i.e. voting). With the recent election of the first African American

president, race has been placed up close and personal. Overall, race continues to play a very

salient role for how members of particular races vote. The United States has come a long way in

terms of breaking down the race-based barriers that hinder members of raced-minority groups,

but racialized issues remain. However, despite contemporary racialized issues, there is

significant hope for the future in terms of a race-neutral society. Novkov (2008) suggests that

more research is needed within the areas of political participation as it relates to race and

ethnicity. Scholars need to continue to disentangle the salient role of race with the subordinate

roles of socioeconomic status, ideology, and gender if the hope of a race-neutral society is to

ever be fulfilled.