Abstract
In view of the recent legislation attempting to render effective the voting rights of the American Negro, it may be interesting to compare briefly the treatment of some of his constitutional rights with those of the American Indian.
Negroes first arrived in this country in 1619, but they did not all become citizens until after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the 14th Amendment. It was not until 58 years thereafter, under the Citizenship Act of June 2, 1924, that all Indians were recognized as citizens of the United States and of the States of their residence.
Some indication of the difference in magnitude of the problems involved can be gleaned from examination of the 1960 population figures of the states of Alabama and Arizona. According to these, in the State of Alabama, there were 2,283,609 whites and 980,271 Negroes, a ratio of 2.3 to 1. In Arizona, where there are congregated 19 tribal groups and more Indians than in any other State, there were 1,302,161 whites and 83,387 Indians, a ratio of almost 15 to 1.
How to Cite
7 Ariz. L. Rev. 244 (Spring 1966)
109
Views
88
Downloads