The political divides between various political parties in the United States have been of great concern in recent times. Not only due to the sheer number of topics that need to be tackled, but also due to the stark differences in opinion on those topics.
For many, the most glaring difference between various political parties is race and ethnicity. This divide can be seen clearly when examining the way politicians on either side view key issues such as immigration, healthcare, and crime. For instance, Republicans are more likely to oppose immigration and immigrant rights, while Democrats tend to advocate for policies that are more welcoming and inclusive. Similarly, Democrats avail more resources towards addressing racial and ethnic disparities, while Republicans are more likely to emphasize “law and order” solutions such as increasing police presence.
Moreover, the U.S Census Bureau has reported that “racial and ethnic minorities were more likely in recent years to identify as Democrats than as Republicans.” This indicates that even the demographic makeup of each party is split largely along racial and ethnic lines.
The divide between political parties based on race and ethnicity can also be seen in the way each party either appeals to or alienates certain groups. On one hand, some Republicans have implemented policies that seem to favor white minorities. On the other, Democrats have proposed policies that may not be entirely beneficial for these groups. This only serves to widen the divide between the two parties.
It is clear that race and ethnicity have become major topics of contention in recent years, and it is very likely that this divide will continue to grow. Unless politicians on both sides learn to unite with respect to these topics, we face the risk of driving the nation further apart.