Take your anger to the voting booth
by EDITORIAL
Among the salient points of President Biden’s State of the Union address last week, was his recognition of Bettie Mae Fikes, known as the “Voice of Selma,” and the late John Lewis, both stalwarts on “Bloody Sunday” 59 years ago.
Citing these remarkable civil rights activists was a pretext to affirm his support for voting rights as well as remind Americans of the various ways to suppress voting rights.
“Unlimited dark money,” he said. “Gerrymandering. John Lewis was a friend to many of us here. But if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, then it’s time for more than just talk. Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act!”
If it is necessary today to summon events of the past, then it’s because so much of the past is still with us. The attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 took us regrettably back to the terrible Civil War days and we are constantly reminded of the significance of the 14th Amendment with Trump’s relentless claim of a victory four years ago.
Biden’s passionate call for the passing of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act conforms with recent commentary from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
They, too, are aware of the evisceration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and what’s needed to remedy the setback. “Much like the Civil Rights Movement in 1965, we must create a groundswell of support that’s rooted in the South but spreads nationwide. We must demand change from lawmakers in Washington and hold them accountable with our vote. We must speak to family and friends, so they vote in support of our shared values. And we must vote in November despite hurdles to the ballot box,” the SPLC statement declared.
In short, some of the tactics in the past were effective in bringing about change and it’s never too late to put them to use again.
Just the other day we were informed that one of the lower courts is prepared to strike down an important procedure that guarantees our franchise. Our charge to you is to stay informed, be ready to march and otherwise protest, and take your anger and disgust to the ballot box.
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