ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses factors that affect the participation of ethnic and racial minority elders in the political process, underscoring the heterogeneity of the minority elder population and stressing that policies must reflect that complexity. The political status of minority elders is best understood by examining diversity, historical circumstances, and the social and economic status of minority elder populations. Minority elders have not always been a powerless, dependent group. Historically, in their countries of origin or in rural areas of the United States, they have enjoyed the benefits of leadership and political influence. The effects of assimilation and acculturation are important indicators in understanding the past and future potential of minority elders to be political players. Aging organizations as advocates for minority aging issues have a mixed record to date. Several national agingorganizations have been criticized in the past for being self-serving in their advocacy efforts and neglecting the needs of at-risk elders.
