Arizona's Legislators Say Barack Obama Must Prove His Citizenship

The Arizona House of Representatives recently approved a provision requiring President Barack Obama to prove that he is a natural-born citizen before the state agrees to place him on the ballot in 2012. He must have his birth certificate approved by the state's attorney general in order to run in the next election.

The provision was added to a separate bill in a 31-22 vote. There is still a formal vote that must occur for the provision to pass. Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema says that the bill is making Arizona the "laughing stock of the nation." Republican Cecil Ash, however, argues that the bill would help to end doubt about Obama's citizenship. The legislation bolsters the "birther" movement, which has argued that Obama is not a naturally born American citizen.

Sinema issued the following statement:

"Republicans continue to take Arizona down the wrong track by wasting taxpayers time on frivolous legislation instead of working on important issues like health care for kids and seniors and education."

"Republican Rep. Judy Burges amendment to Senate Bill 1024 today would require the Arizona secretary of state to verify a presidential candidate's birth certificate before the candidate's name is allowed on a ballot in Arizona. A presidential candidate already is required to prove that he or she is a naturally born citizen before they can run for that office."

"This bill is nothing more than a waste of taxpayers time when the legislature should be working to fix more important issues like the fact that it eliminated KidsCare, which forfeits all federal health care dollars for kids and seniors in Arizona."

At the National Leadership Forum, hosted this past week by Rev. Al Sharpton, I had the chance to speak extensively with the rapper Chuck D from Public Enemy. In the early 1990s, Chuck wrote a controversial song, called 'Can't Wait Till I get to Arizona.' In the song, Chuck expounds on the racism of this state, mostly in reaction to the fact that voters were unwilling to acknowledge the Martin Luther King Holiday.

Arizona seems to have its own brand of racism. It's a more subtle kind of racism, one that seems to imply that people of color are more likely to be evil, indecent, immoral and deceptive. They even have a sheriff in the state, Joe Arpaio, who prides himself on being "the toughest sheriff in the nation." Arpaio has reinstituted chain gangs and makes the inmates stay outside in 110-degree heat. The sheriff has been investigated for civil and human rights violations, and many of those who are affected by his behavior are black and brown people.

Sinema is correct: Arizona is surely becoming the laughing stock of America. Even John McCain shouldn't be proud to come from a state that works so hard to turn back the hands of time. At the same time, Arpaio is nearly 78 years old and McCain is 74. They can't keep up these habits forever, and America will eventually move on without them.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.