Scenes from a rally in front of the Supreme Court where justices were hearing cases on the Voting Rights Act (Photo Credit: David Sachs, SEIU, Flickr).
Last week, I found myself glued to the Democratic National Convention, feeling a stirring revival.
The vibrant array of faces, the empowering stories and the promises of an inclusive future filled me with hope and rekindled my spirit about America’s trajectory. It was a stark contrast to my viewing experience of the Republican National Convention, which left me with a bitter taste of dread. The RNC’s rhetoric was dark, filled with foreboding tales of national decline and fear-mongering about the “woke” culture.
For me, an educated African-American man who has beaten the odds to achieve success, the RNC felt like a grim revival of old fears—reminiscent of fire and brimstone sermons from the Old South. It was a parade of power cloaked in the guise of revivalism, aimed at a vision of America that seems intent on turning back the clock.
This moment of disquiet led me to a haunting realization: the slogans of “Make America Great Again” and its ilk are not just political catchphrases—they are coded messages seeking to dismantle the progress made over decades.
As a descendant of those who faced enormous barriers to voting and civil rights, I am acutely aware that today’s challenges are not so dissimilar to those faced by my ancestors. Gerrymandering, a modern-day tool of voter suppression, is the latest tactic in this long, dark history.
Gerrymandering, a term originating from Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry’s redistricting schemes in the early 19th century, has evolved into a sophisticated form of racial and political manipulation. At its core, gerrymandering is about drawing district lines to favor one political party over another, but it often has a more insidious impact: the deliberate disenfranchisement of minority voters.
The stakes are exceptionally high for African Americans, who have historically faced numerous barriers to voting. The mid-20th century saw landmark achievements like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, yet the struggle continues in more subtle forms. In recent years, the practice of gerrymandering has emerged as a new battleground. By slicing up districts in ways that dilute the influence of Black voters, this practice systematically undermines our political power.
Take Georgia, for instance.
Despite a substantial Black population concentrated in cities like Atlanta, redistricting efforts have consistently fragmented these communities to diminish their electoral impact. By linking these densely Black areas with less diverse, rural regions, the Republican-controlled legislature has effectively weakened the political clout of Black voters. This tactic was vividly evident in the 2016 and 2022 elections, where despite strong turnout in urban centers, the manipulation of district lines helped secure victories for conservative candidates.
In North Carolina, the situation is similarly troubling. The state’s Republican-led Supreme Court overturned a ruling that had sought to curb racial gerrymandering. This decision opened the floodgates for further manipulation, disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of Black voters in a state where racial politics have long been a flashpoint.
Alabama, too, is a case in point. With nearly 30% of its population identifying as Black, the state’s redistricting plans have aimed to fracture the Black vote, a strategy that has faced legal challenges all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. These cases underscore the systemic nature of gerrymandering: it is not merely a political strategy but a calculated effort to strip marginalized communities of their power.
The pernicious nature of gerrymandering is that it operates within the bounds of legality despite its blatantly discriminatory outcomes. It reflects a deeper malaise in American democracy, where those in power often subvert the will of the majority. This is evident in historical elections where the popular vote did not align with the Electoral College outcome, such as in Bush v. Gore (2000) and Clinton v. Trump (2016). The disparity between the popular vote and electoral results demonstrates a fundamental flaw in our democratic process—a flaw that gerrymandering exacerbates.
However, there is hope.
As African Americans, we must become deeply involved in local politics, where redistricting decisions are made. By serving on local boards, running for office, and engaging in grassroots campaigns, we can counteract the effects of gerrymandering and ensure that our voices are heard.
The message from the DNC was clear: “We are not going back.”
Gerrymandering is a modern-day attempt to reverse the progress we have made. As a nation, we must resist this retrogressive push. America’s future demands that we move forward, not backward. We must safeguard our democracy by ensuring that every voice counts and every vote matters.
The world is watching. China and Russia observe America’s internal struggles with a mix of amusement and concern. They see a nation that claims to champion democracy but struggles to practice it equitably.
As we grapple with these challenges, let us remember that our actions today will shape the future of our nation. We cannot afford to let the shadows of the past dictate the course of our democracy. Instead, we must rise, engage and fight for a future where every citizen’s voice is not just heard but valued.
America’s promise of democracy is not just for some—it must be for all.
Let us ensure that we fulfill this promise by standing firm against the injustices of gerrymandering and reaffirming our commitment to a truly inclusive democracy.
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