Demographics

The recent Post series documenting Prince George's County police as among the most brutal in the nation exposes a long-hidden truth: A racially diverse police force under the command of black elected officials is no guarantee against police violence.

The notion that racial diversity is the key to fighting police brutality has deep historical roots. In the wake of riots across American inner-cities in the 1960s, the Kerner Commission called for "increased Negro participation in police departments" because "for police… more

Debates about race, immigration politics, and battles about historical and national identity seem to be gaining momentum not only in the United States but also in many countries in the world. Sometimes it is extremely useful to look at similar cultural and identity tension in other contexts to reflect on our own circumstances -- and thus it pleases us to host one of Germany's most dynamic, young thinkers and politicians in this arena.

Cem Oezdemir has been a Member of… more

While visiting Ellis Island at the turn of the 20th century, Henry James wondered how the sweeping tide of immigrants would ultimately affect… more

Even before his historic election to Mexico's presidency in July, Vicente Fox startled U.S. observers when he vowed to govern on behalf of 118 million Mexicans--the … more

The leading presidential candidates are telling us that religion has a legitimate role to play in U.S. politics and public life. Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. … more

In June, President Bill Clinton ventured onto George W. Bush's Texas turf in the hopes of cutting into the governor's Latino support. He appealed to Mexican American … more

One day the Democratic Party may wake up and wonder where all the black people have gone. While blacks over 50, especially older black women, remain solidly Democratic, the young are increasingly alienated from politics in general -- and from the Democratic Party in particular.

Now that high-profile black Republicans like… more

Anyone who has followed America's culture wars of the past few decades can be excused for thinking that the process of assimilation is a thing of the past. Right-wing nativists have been chanting their mantra that contemporary immigrants are actively resisting mainstream culture and will never integrate. Left-wing multiculturalists and ethnic nationalists… more