I have a big doubt. My sister and her friend did an oral expression about racism. Anyways, they found something that blacks couldn't run for President of the USA. Is this true and if so, was this a long time ago? I've tried to google this but I haven't gotten any info. A link would help alot. Thanks!
2007-07-05 09:45:31 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
There are only two requirements for being president: A natural baorn citizen and over 35 years old.
"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States."
2007-07-05 09:55:36 · answer #1 · answered by paintingj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The constitution spells out the following requirements:
"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States."
Nothing about race. However, few Blacks were considered citizens in the early days of the republic. Most were property. There was no specific prohiobition.
2007-07-05 16:51:24 · answer #2 · answered by TG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although there may not be a specific law against it, there are requirements for running for president. They don't say that you have to be "white," but they do say that you have to be a citizen. Part of the definition for being a citizen was that you had to be a land owner. In the past, neither women, nor blacks were allowed to own land. Check out the link below. It quotes the Constitution on regulations regarding running for President as well as being a "naturalized" citizen.
Also, you must be a "natural born citizen." Which, for all practical purposes, means that you must have been born in the U.S. (There are some instances considered exceptions, such as children born to parents who are abroad for military service at the time of birth.) At some point in America's history, there were very few blacks who had been born here. The majority had been "brought" here and were denied many individual rights from owning land, to education, to marriage.
So, this is true. But, it dates to a time when blacks were treated as and considered property (as were women.) It is an unfortunate and tragic part of our history, but a part none-the-less.
2007-07-05 17:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by Amalthea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that blacks could not run for president a long time ago. Today however they can, the only set back being that it would probablly be dangerous for them. Unfourtunately some Americans have not changed their mindset about things. I think it would be great to set history by having the first black president in my life time. However until people change their mind sets it is doubtful.
2007-07-05 16:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by carinosa81 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not that they can't run, there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits men or women of the black race from running. However, the problem they run into is if they get the nomination to run, they won't get the majority of the Southern Vote. Because alot of people who live in the South are still conservative. Not everyone, but you have a lot of conservative people in the South, and that doesn't exactly go over well.
2007-07-05 17:04:25 · answer #5 · answered by avidreader 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For sure. There was a time in this country where blacks were only considered 3/5 of a person. It probably didn't say that black specifically couldn't be president, but it probably wasn't possible for them either.
2007-07-05 16:50:05 · answer #6 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes It was true. It was back when blacks had no freedom. They also couldn't run for president because they didn't get enough money, just like women, that is also why they couldn't vote because they didn't have money. But they now can be president now.
2007-07-05 17:18:41 · answer #7 · answered by KC V 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. The requirements are listed in the constitution ... age 35, having been born in the United States, a citizen of the country.
The rest is popularity, a winning message and lots of money and energy.
2007-07-05 16:53:47 · answer #8 · answered by JoAnn H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No formal rule against it. Nor against women, even when women were not allowed to vote. Victoria Woodhull ran for President in the late 1800's.
2007-07-05 16:49:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes blacks can run for president,If you know any have them to run,anything looks better than what we got now.
2007-07-05 16:51:24 · answer #10 · answered by ronald m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋