... If my church attempted to influence me in a way which was improper or which affected adversely my responsibilities as a public servant, sworn to uphold the Constitution, then I would reply to them that this was an improper action on their part, that it was one to which I could not subscribe, that I was opposed to it, and that it would be an unfortunate breach -- an interference with the American political system. I am confident there would be no such interference (Howard, Doyle, et al., 84).'" The recent election of Barack H. Obama as the first black president of the United States, has enfranchised the population of black Americans whose identity was stolen when their ancestors were traded to the Americas as slaves. Their road has been a long one of civil rights, and a goal to establish their rights as Americans. Americans saw that goal come to fruition in January, 2009, when Obama was sworn in as president.

If there is an identity in America that remains disenfranchised from the mainstream American identity, is it that of the original Americans, the Native Americans. A near annihilated people, and the original residents of the country known as the United States, Native Americans have assimilated into the European and other cultural identity that is America (Scholl, Mark, 2006, 47). While no reparations have been made to Native Americans, there have been economic and social concessions made. Unfortunately, those concessions have not served Native Americans well, and they continue to face the problems associated with a disenfranchised culture in America, even though they are the original Americans.

America and Ireland, 1776-1976: The American Identity and the Irish Connection: the Proceedings of the United States Bicentennial Conference of Cumann Merriman, Ennis, August 1976. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980. Questia. 20 Feb. 2009 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9623779.
A www.questiaschool.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5021374584

Neuhaus, Richard John. "Contract and Covenant: In Search of American Identity." National Review 30 Apr. 2007: 39. Questia. 20 Feb. 2009 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5021374584.

Brien, Conor Cruise. "Edmund Burke and the American Revolution." America and Ireland, 1776-1976: The American Identity and the Irish Connection: the Proceedings of the United States Bicentennial Conference of Cumann Merriman, Ennis, August 1976. Ed. Con Howard, David Noel Doyle, and Owen Dudley Edwards. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980. 3-13. Questia. 20 Feb. 2009 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9623797.

A www.questiaschool.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5022752142

Scholl, Mark B. "Native American Identity Development and Counseling Preferences: A Study of Lumbee Undergraduates." Journal of College Counseling 9.1 (2006): 47+. Questia. 20 Feb. 2009 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5022752142.