Nonwhites in California underrepresented in civic participation

[Kadie]

Nonwhites in California underrepresented in civic participation

By JUSTIN PRITCHARD, Associated Press Writer

Last Updated 12:49 pm PDT Wednesday, April 21, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - It's not just Election Day. Nonwhite Californians are underrepresented in nearly every phase of the daily civic-political process, from attending rallies to writing campaign checks, a sweeping new study reports.

As a result, the disproportionate political influence white Californians wield in a state where they are no longer a majority is unlikely to change for a generation, according to researchers at the San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California.

"The situation already involves significant racial inequality," said Karthick Ramakrishnan, lead author of the study on public participation released Wednesday. "What's significant about this report is that we can see these trends persisting."

more... http://sacbee.com/state_wire/story/8984208p-9910343c.html