At the state level of government, there still persists a considerable level of inequality. Among the 50 state governors, non-Hispanic Whites make up 90% of the governors, and in general are overrepresented by almost 20%. There is currently only one African-American governor, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. There have only been three African-American governors since Reconstruction, over a century ago. In that time, African-Americans have never made up less than 9% of the total US population.
Clearly, there has been significant progress made. 10% of the current governors are non-white, which would have been unheard of in this country not too long ago. However, it is still a far cry from achieving a level representative of our country's true diversity. If we can't say that the officials we elect collectively represent us, then why are we putting them into offices to represent us?
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_%28United_States%29#Race_and_ethnicity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_demographics#Race_and_ethnicity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_American
http://texasliberal.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/three-black-governors-since-reconstruction-who-have-they-been/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American
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