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Amendment one on this year’s ballot may be one of the least understood amendments for voters. It seeks to eliminate a part of the state’s constitution which says aliens ineligible for citizenship, can’t own property in Florida. Because of a court ruling, the provision hasn’t been enforceable for more than 50 years, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, removing the wording is a point of pride for Asian Americans.

The Alien Land Law originated right after the turn of the 20th. Clyde Diao, President of the Tallahassee Asian Coalition, says people at the time were worried about what the men who built the transcontinental railroad would do after it was complete.

“It was intended to really prohibit a lot of the Japanese farm workers to own farm lands, because they were so efficient,” Diao said. “And the local boys were kind of worried about it.”

At the time, only blacks and whites were eligible for citizenship.

Today’s reality is that many people of Asian descent own property and are very successful. Lucy Ho is a well know Tallahassee restauranteur.  The first she ever heard of the prohibition was when we told her.

The American beauty is that if you work hard, you’ve got it. You know? That’s why I like this country,” Ho said.

Lucy counts a former attorney general as a friend, and on this day, the Governor’s Chief of Staff was lunching in the restaurant she owns.

Amendment One is one of the least understood amendments on the ballot. For Lucy Ho’s sake and the sake of many others, it was a good thing it was never enforced.

Many in the Asian community worry the provision will stay in the constitution because of a lack of understanding.

“It’s not good for Florida, it’s not good for the people of Florida,” Diao said. “Not only that, it’s the state that has, in fact, the Alien Land Law in the constitution right now.”

Removing the racist and unconstitutional provision will require a yes vote by 6 of every 10 voters.