Condemning Voter Suppression in Black History Also Means Fighting for Black Futurity
As we fight for a more just and equal society in America, it becomes clear that the direction toward a hopeful future is not one linearly shaped. Rather, our path forward is paved with many roads back to original policies, attitudes, and practices that have sought to historically oppress various American minorities. This apparent and intentional exclusion of minorities has taken shape throughout our history and continues to manifest and express itself through various forms of voter determent.
For Black American voters, the reality of voter suppression is all too real and prevalent. Historically, voter suppression has taken many forms. According to Jhacova Williams of Economic Policy Institute, “Lynchings were the original form of Voter Suppression.” Throughout the south, various racial unorganized and organized aggressors targeted and lynched Black individuals throughout the 1830s to the 1960s to terrorize black voters into not casting their vote.
Other forms of voter suppression also arose during this time. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation in various states and counties. Poll taxes dissuaded lower-income voters from participating in local and national elections. Literacy tests were structured in such a way that made passage seemingly impossible. And the grandfather clause maintained a lack of inter-generational voting rights.
While these tactics make up our past as Americans, they signify the relentless racial tactics that continue to make their way into today’s political landscape. Today, other forms of voter suppression continue to shape how we vote, how long it takes us to vote, how our vote is counted, how it is assessed, and how it is “officially authenticated.”
Although these tactics are seemingly straightforward on the surface level, they present themselves as more complex through deeper investigation. For instance, real voter ID laws make it harder for voters to get to the polls when various other forms of authentication are disbanded. Felon’s disfranchisement keeps reformed citizens from participating in democracy. Voter purges often lead to eligible voters being deprived of their right to vote. Longer lines and malfunctioning voting equipment at designated polling places dissuade voters from casting their vote to begin. Faulty authentication systems throw out thousands of valid votes. And gerrymandering of congressional districts strategically rips apart minority strongholds. Each instance after the next further pushes out voters from participating in their elections. All and more, in an attempt to maintain voter suppression and keep minority voters from voting.
Here at Rideshare2Vote, we acknowledge and condemn both the historical racism presented in our country and its current manifestations. We work every day to ensure that roadblocks that arise in voter turnout, such as transportation, do not further sequester minority votes. To learn more about our mission and ways to get involved, click here.
