The problem of race and politics reached a crescendo in the late 1980's with the passage of District Elections in the City of San Diego. Communities with larger ethnic communities, such as the Third, Fourth, and Eighth Districts voiced their concern that district nominated candidates were not being approved by the general populace and that in order to have representation on the Council, districts needed to elect their own officials. The opposition argued that electing by district would mean a greater propensity by elected officials to please their own constituents and work less in matters of city-wide importance. With the passage of district elections, a Latino councilmember, a Lesbian councilmember, and an African-American councilmember currently represent their own districts. Local infighting and favortism have certainly increased but it is clear that the changing face of the Council may not have appeared so quickly if it were not for district elections.
Race operates within the public sphere in politics.
Representation, whether by elected official or special interest groups, brings the needs of the people before the general public and the media. The more open, the more chance for a backlash or for acceptance. Unfortunately, hate crimes are currently a category used by the Police Department to document crimes perpetrated on people or buildings because of race, sexual orientation or religion. Gay bashings, church burnings, and swastika grafitti are some of the examples of hate crimes. One wonders if opponents to ethnic groups and women will turn their efforts to stop preferentia treatment for victims of hate crimes.