SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As the presidential race continues, hot button topics are gaining greater attention including racial inequality.
Drury University hosted a well-renowned scholar of race and politics tonight.
Its no secret racial tensions continue to grow especially at different political rallies across the country.
Scenes like this in Portland, Maine are why Drury freshman Jayne Roller said the presidential elections is more like a reality show.
“I think its a lot different than what everyone expected,” said Roller.
Video of protesters, especially activists, being pushed out continue to fuel the fire.
“It certainly affects the way minority groups look at the voting, I would assume,” said Alex Johnson.
Dr. Rodney Hero, a political science expert from the University of California-Berkeley, said the racial difference is apparent when candidates address voters.
“The Republicans will just about always use the word Hispanics and democrats will just about always use the words Latinos.”
Inequality continues to play a role in public policy.
“Welfare policy is a policy that is not technically a racial policy but it has been racialized according to many scholars,” said Hero.
Data from the Pew Research Center shows the number of black people living in poverty is much greater than any other race from 1974 to 2011. In more recent years, the percentages are nearly even between Hispanics and African-Americans, both lagging behind white Americans.
“The degree of race inequality does seem to have a real major impact in terms of public policy in the states.”
Hero said the inequality battle will continue to be a topic of discussion for political candidates as they debate policy options.
“I think it gives us some link, or insight, into the current presidential election in the way that the different candidates articulate and draw upon certain kinds of themes,” said Hero.
College students believe candidate debate on inequality will continue all the way up to election day in November.
“Both parties have tried to appeal to more minority voters and to address issues of inequality,” said Kaitlyn Box, Senior.
“We’ll see if that has an effect on if he loses followers or if people disagreeing with his followers,” said Roller.
