Does America still need the Voting Rights Act?



 

 

The America that we knew in 1965 was a much different America than the one we know today This  was the basic belief of the five United States Supreme Court Justices who sided with the majority when the court struck down key provisions of the historic Voting Rights Act this past  Tuesday. As Chief Justice John Roberts said when explaining the ruling, "our country has changed for the better." If Roberts' assessment of our nation is correct, then one can't help but ask, does America still need the Voting Rights Act, or has the law essentially become outdated? When the historic civil rights legislation was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were the norm. As a result of these practices, thousands of minority voters were disenfranchised all throughout the south. The Voting Rights Act sought to change all that, and did by requiring federal oversight of voter registration in certain southern states if discrimination was presumed. That was then. Many in support of overturning the law would argue that the forms of discrimination that prevented minorities from exercising their right to vote in 1965 are no longer in existence, and if the law was designed to help eliminate those discriminatory practices, then the law served its purpose, and is no longer needed. Those who support keeping all sections of the law intact would say that in eliminating federal oversight of the electoral process in the south, the court is opening the door for continued discrimination of minority voters, just in different ways. This decision now enables a handful of southern states to set their own election laws without having to gain approval from the federal government first. Many legal experts have suggested that because of the decision by the court, many states in the south will implement stricter voter ID laws which could possibly suppress voter turnout among minorities. It has also been suggested that Tuesday's ruling could lead to gerrymandering or the redrawing of congressional districts for the sole purpose of hurting minority voters. I for one, applaud the progress we have made as a country since 1965 on this issue. None of us should rest until all forms of discrimination in voting are eliminated. Tuesday's ruling by the United States Supreme Court leaves me with mixed feelings. On one hand, I can understand and appreciate the argument that we are a changed nation, and certain provisions of this law are no longer needed. On the other hand, if the elimination of certain sections of the law open up the possibility of discrimination occurring once again, I would have a hard time believing that the Supreme Court made the right decision.

Standing in the Schoolhouse Door



During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, several showdowns occurred between state and federal authorities over the issue of segregation in the south. One of the most famous of these happened fifty years ago today on the campus of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. It was on June 11th, 1963 that Alabama Governor, George Wallace, who was an ardent segregationist, stood in the doorway of Foster Auditorium to prevent African-American students Vivian Malone and James Hood from enrolling at the University. Wallace's act of defiance that day left President Kennedy no choice but to take action. After hearing of Governor Wallace's actions, Kennedy moved to federalize the Alabama National Guard in order to get Wallace to move. After being confronted by Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach and the National Guard, Wallace stepped aside and Malone and Hood became the first two African-American students to attend the University of Alabama. In the years following the schoolhouse door incident, George Wallace would make four unsuccessful runs for the presidency, running three times as a Democrat, and once as an Independent. It was during his 1972 campaign that Wallace's life would change forever. While visiting with potential voters at the Laurel Shopping Center in Laurel, Maryland, George Wallace was shot five times at close range. The wounds he sustained would leave him paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. It was his near assassination that helped to change Wallace's outlook on a number of issues including his views on segregation. In 1979, when asked about his stand in the schoolhouse door back in 1963, Wallace said, " I was wrong. Those days are over, and they ought to be over." It's safe to say that by the end of his life, George Wallace was a changed man. An amazing transformation indeed for a man who once claimed, "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." Governor George Corley Wallace died on September 13th, 1998 at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama. He was 79 years old.

History's Mysteries

With the recent news that the Amelia Earhart disappearance may have finally been solved with the discovery of part of a plane that may have belonged to her, I began to wonder... what would the average American consider to be the greatest unsolved mystery in the history of the United States? For me, it would be the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As many know, the Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. However, in the years following the president's death, the report's findings have been questioned by many who believe the death of John Kennedy was part of a larger conspiracy. Numerous conspiracy theories have emerged over the years that have attempted to explain who shot the president. As much as I would like to believe the official government report, I have a hard time doing so. In my view, there had to have been at least two shooters taking aim at the president that November day in 1963, and more than one shooter would indicate conspiracy. I am more convinced today than ever before that the real truth about what happened that day in Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas will never be known, thereby making the Kennedy assassination a mystery of history that will possibly never be solved. While the Kennedy assassination has fascinated Americans for decades, other unsolved mysteries of U.S. history have baffled the minds of many for quite some time as well. Some of these would include, the lost colony of Roanoke, the possibility that Bigfoot really exists, and the Roswell U.F.O. incident. To completely understand history, facts are a necessity. Unfortunately, when it comes to some of the more interesting mysteries of U.S. history, all of the facts are just not known. Perhaps with the passage of time, new evidence will come to light that will help solve some of these uncertainties. In the meantime, we can continue to speculate what may or may not have happened when it comes to these particular events. Isn't that part of the fun of learning about history...to try and figure out what MIGHT have happened when we don't really know the whole truth? I think we all can agree that our nation's history is chalked full of mysterious moments. What we might not agree on is which of those moments deserves the most attention. What moment in history would that be for you?

Remembering Malcolm X

Forty-eight years ago today, America lost one of it's strongest voices for civil rights with the death of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. He was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. Throughout his childhood, Malcolm's family would relocate to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later to Lansing, Michigan. After the death of his father, Malcolm's mother was institutionalized when Malcolm was just thirteen. Due to the difficult circumstances involving his mother and father, Malcolm was sent to live in a number of different foster homes during his formative years. He was an excellent student with a brilliant mind, but dropped out of school after a white teacher told Malcolm that becoming a lawyer was "no realistic goal for a nigger." Malcolm soon came to believe that American society in the 1930's and 1940's offered no real possibilities for a young black man like himself. As a result, Malcolm moved to Boston, and then Harlem where he became involved in a life of crime that included drug dealing, gambling, and robbery. Due to his involvement in these activities, Malcolm was sentenced to eight to ten years in the Charlestown State Prison. It was during his time in prison that Malcolm was introduced to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Malcolm rose quickly through the ranks of the Nation, and was named a national minister for the organization. During his time as a minister for the Nation of Islam, Malcolm was seen as a controversial figure due to his outspoken nature and his message of black separatism. One of Malcolm's more controversial remarks surrounded the assassination of President Kennedy when Malcolm said that Kennedy's death was like the "chickens coming home to roost." For these remarks, Malcolm was silenced for ninety days by the Nation of Islam. During his silencing, Malcolm was not allowed to make any comments to the press or make any speeches at the Nation's temples. In 1964, after a falling-out with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, Malcolm broke all ties with the organization. It was in this same year that Malcolm made his Hajj (pilgrimage) to the holy city of Mecca. Malcolm's pilgrimage was truly a transformational moment for him. His views toward race relations in America changed forever when he noticed blond-haired blue-eyed Muslims interacting as equals with black-skinned African Muslims like himself. Malcolm truly believed that if it could work in Mecca, why not in the United States? Malcolm spent much of the rest of 1964 traveling the world spreading his message. Upon his return to the United States, Malcolm formed the Muslim Mosque Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity to promote a more racially harmonious message. The one and only meeting between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. occurred in 1964 as well. The two civil rights icons briefly encountered one another outside of the U.S. Senate after listening to debates on the historic civil rights bill. Malcolm's life came to a tragic end on February 21st, 1965. As Malcolm took to the podium in the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan, New York to address a meeting of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, shots rang out killing the famed civil rights leader almost instantly. As we honor and celebrate the achievements of many African-Americans during Black History Month, may we never forget the lasting contributions of the one whom many refer to as one of the greatest and most influential African-Americans in United States history.

The Five Greatest?

Since President's Day is right around the corner, I thought I would share with you my list of the top five presidents in United States history. While every president is unique in their own right, I feel that these men have set themselves apart as the best to ever occupy the oval office.

#5  Harry S. Truman: Often referred to as the accidental president, Truman initially assumed the office in April of 1945 after the death of the seemingly immortal Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Truman came from very modest beginnings. Harry Truman had tried his hand at farming, but had little luck. With the country on the verge of the Great Depression, his haberdashery business went under as well. With the help of Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast, Harry was elected as a judge for eastern Jackson County. From there, Truman went on to win election to the United States Senate in 1934, representing Missouri for ten years until FDR asked Truman to join him on the Democratic ticket in time for the 1944 presidential election. Harry Truman served as vice-president for only 82 days before becoming president of the United States at one of the most trying times in U.S. history. Harry Truman's presidency was marked by one major decision after another. From the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to the desegregation of the armed forces, to the recognition of Israel, to the sending of troops into Korea, to the firing of Douglas MacArthur, President Truman no doubt showed the world that the buck did indeed stop with him.

#4  Theodore Roosevelt: The president who spoke softly and carried a big stick will always be remembered as one of America's greatest. Teddy, as he came to be known, entered the presidency in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. Roosevelt quickly began to push an agenda that focused on progressivism, conservation, and a number of other key issues. It was Theodore Roosevelt who was the force behind the completion of the Panama Canal which helped to revolutionize trade around the world. Due to his desire to place tighter restrictions on businesses, Teddy came to be known as the "trust buster." In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt was at odds with his friend and president at the time, William Howard Taft. The disagreements that Roosevelt had with Taft led Teddy to form the Bull Moose Party in 1912. Roosevelt ran as that party's candidate for the presidency, but ultimately lost out to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Given Theodore Roosevelt's great intellect and intuition, it should come as no surprise that the former rough rider was able to ride his way to the top as one of America's greatest presidents.

#3  Thomas Jefferson: As one of America's "Founding Fathers," Thomas Jefferson might well be remembered more for the things he accomplished before and after his presidency than during it. While serving as a delegate from the colony of Virginia during the Second Continental Congress, Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. Known for his writing skills, Jefferson was asked to write the document that would forever change the course of history. Due to the fact that he hadn't seen his wife in months, Thomas Jefferson initially declined the offer to draft the document, but would later relent after being pressured by his future political rival John Adams. Speaking of Adams and the political rivalry that existed between the two, it was John Adams whom Jefferson defeated to win the White House in 1800. Shortly after his election, Jefferson negotiated the purchase of the Louisiana territory in 1803. Many thought Jefferson a fool to spend fifteen million on the land, but a statistical analysis would later prove that the purchase was a magnificent deal for the United States. When all was said and done, The United States spent approximately five cents per acre on the land, while nearly doubling the size of our country. The following year, Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark out to explore the newly purchased land in what came to be known as the Lewis and Clark expedition. Following his presidency, Thomas Jefferson would go on to found the University of Virginia. The one major blot on Jefferson's personal life was the fact that he just couldn't break with the institution of slavery. It has long been speculated that Jefferson even fathered a child, and possibly children with his slave Sally Hemings. While Thomas Jefferson will go down in history as one of America's greatest statesmen, the same can also be said for Jefferson and the presidency.

# 2  Franklin D. Roosevelt: Perhaps it can be said that greatness runs in the Roosevelt family. The cousin of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin remains one of America's most loved, admired, and respected presidents. FDR swept into office in 1933 promising Americans a "New Deal." The American people were more than ready for a change after the failed policies of Herbert Hoover helped push The United States into the Great Depression. Roosevelt offered the American people hope with the creation of programs such as the Works Progress Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. These programs helped put Americans back to work, and helped to   kick-start a decimated economy. Franklin Roosevelt will also be remembered fondly for helping to implement the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Social Security, both of which still exist today. On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked U.S. air and naval forces at Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt referred to the attack as a "date which will live in infamy." The following day, the president asked for and received a declaration of war against Japan. After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, Franklin Roosevelt passed away on April 12, 1945 at his presidential retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia. Roosevelt's ability to overcome not only personal, but political challenges as well would help to explain why he consistently appears near the top of most historians presidential rankings.

# 1  Abraham Lincoln:  Like most historians, "Honest Abe" tops my list of the greatest presidents as well. I think it is safe to say that the United States of America as we know it would not exist had it not been for the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. No president, in my view, faced greater challenges while in office than Lincoln. Not only was Lincoln struggling with depression and the loss of his children, he also had to hold together a country that was ready to split apart at the seams. Abraham Lincoln handled the task marvelously. One of his more brilliant moves during the Civil War was the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Brilliant because the proclamation helped to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Union. While the Union army's victory at Gettysburg was crucial to the war's final outcome, I would argue that the freeing of slaves in southern states was more so because many of these slaves fled the south, joined the ranks of the Union Army, and gave the north greater numbers in their fight against the Confederacy. Given the fact that the country was so divided by civil war during Lincoln's administration, it comes as no surprise that his demise came at the hands of a southern sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth. The fact that Lincoln's words are still quoted by presidents today, his actions are still revered by so many, and his legacy will live on forever are solid proof that Lincoln deserves to stand alone as perhaps the greatest president ever.

Democracy's Day in the Sun

Tomorrow marks one of the most time honored traditions for our nation's democracy. At exactly twelve o' clock noon, President Barack Obama will be sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. The Constitution mandates that the president take the oath of office at noon on January 20th following the presidential election the previous November. This year's presidential inauguration presents a unique situation for the country. Since January 20th falls on a Sunday this year, the president will be publicly sworn in on Monday, the 21st. President Obama will take a private oath on Sunday. Monday's inaugural festivities will be steeped in historical symbolism. President Obama will take the oath of office publicly on the same day that we honor one of America's greatest civil rights icons, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The bibles of both Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. will be used during the swearing-in ceremony. The use of the Lincoln and King bibles seems only fitting for the nation's first African-American president. Had it not been for the contributions of President Lincoln and Dr. King in the area of civil rights, the inauguration of Barack Obama may never have been possible. While inaugural ceremonies have become more grandiose throughout the years, our nation has a long history of providing elaborate celebrations for our presidents-to-be. The first presidential inauguration took place on April 30th, 1789 when President George Washington was sworn in by Robert Livingston at Federal Hall in New York City. Prior to the ratification of the twentieth amendment, presidential inaugurations took place on March 4th. The final March 4th inauguration was Franklin Roosevelt's first on March 4, 1933. The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court usually has the honor of swearing-in the president-elect. In fact, since Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth swore in President John Adams, no chief justice has missed an Inauguration Day. In 1963, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson became the first president to be sworn in by a woman, Judge Sarah Hughes, and was also the first and only president to be sworn in on Air Force One. While many would argue that presidential inaugurations are nothing more than a waste of time and money, others would suggest that having the opportunity to celebrate our democracy in such a way, is no doubt, priceless.

Is it time for a bigger tent?

Now that they've had time to pick themselves up and dust themselves off after Tuesday night's general election defeat, it is time for the Republican Party to fully assess what went wrong. In all reality, this was an election that Mitt Romney should have been able to win. History would tell us that past incumbents running for re-election in a bad economy have not fared well. Jimmy Carter was handily defeated by Ronald Reagan in 1980 due in large part to a high unemployment rate and out of control inflation. George H.W. Bush fell short in 1992 when the Clinton campaign convinced voters that "it's the economy stupid." Barack Obama was able to succeed where his predecessors had failed, but how? No president since Franklin Roosevelt had been re-elected with an unemployment rate above 7.1%, that is until Tuesday night. In my view, what should really concern the Republican Party is the fact that a pro-business nominee who touted his business credentials and ran on a platform to fix the economy couldn't win. Does this reveal a problem with the party's nominee, or the party itself? Some would say that Mitt Romney wasn't the ideal candidate because he wasn't conservative enough to appeal to the base of the Republican Party. Some have labeled him a Massachusetts moderate. While both of these may indeed be true, I think the reason for his defeat goes much deeper than that. I believe that a majority of voters in America feel as though Romney's party is not all inclusive. There is no disguising the fact that the demographic makeup of America is changing. The United States has more Hispanic, Asian, and Latino voters now than ever before. More women and young people are voting than at any time in recent history. Gay and lesbian voters have burst onto the electoral scene in larger numbers as well. While the Democratic Party has made a concerted effort to reach out to these key voting constituencies, the same cannot be said for the GOP. Fair or not, the Republican Party has been branded as the party of "old white men." While expanding the electorate is no doubt what the Republican Party needs to do, it might be difficult to accomplish. Doing so would almost certainly require the party to alter it's stance on a number of key issues like immigration, welfare, and gay rights in order to gain more votes from these key voting blocs. Some would say that Romney's defeat can also be attributed to a perception problem when it comes to the Republican Party. One common perception that many voters have of the party is that it cares only about the rich and wealthy, while casting aside the middle class in America. Romney's 47% remark that became a key soundbite in this year's campaign, didn't do anything to help change that perception. Until the Republican Party begins to reach out a welcoming hand to a growing, more diverse electorate, they will have a difficult time competing with the Democrats on a national stage. Perhaps the party can take heed of the old saying, "if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."