• About Us
  • Paper Locations
  • Contact
Hispanic News || Shirley Ann Flower Shop || RS Deer Ranch
March 31, 2023
MEDIA KIT
African American News and Issues
63 °f
Houston
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
No Result
View All Result
  • AframNews Media Kit
  • About
  • Paper Locations
Home African American News & Issues

The Suppression Continues

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. by Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
6 months ago
in African American News & Issues, National, Politics
0
The Suppression Continues
78
SHARES
1.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedIn

All eyes will be on Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who became the first African American woman on the bench last week. She is the first African American woman to serve in this role, and the third Black Supreme Court Justice to serve in this role (if you include Justice Clarence Thomas). Her every move will be watched as she navigates her way through societal judgements and expectations. A new term begins with the Supreme Court and there is a list of historic cases that will require decisions over the next few months. There have already been “conservative” changes that some may feel have set the country back by decades, and that those changes will impact the outcome of upcoming elections.

You might also like

The Ensemble Theatre Announces the Inclusion of Three New Board Members

Chasing The Rugby and Football Dream

Celebrating Champions: Jack & Jill of America, Inc. North Houston Suburban Chapter 2023 Champions For Children Gala

During the first case of the new term, Justice Jackson was anything but quiet during the hearings and even raised several questions regarding the cases at hand. In addition, she discussed some aspects of history regarding the 14th amendment, which pertains to the “rights of citizens” and “equal protection under the law,” and how it impacted Black people, the Civil War and slavery. She also raised questions surrounding Alabama and how race should be considered when deciding if more Black districts should be drawn.

The Alabama case is centered around Alabama’s congressional redistricting plan, which was put in place by the Republican state after the 2020 census. In a recent article by National Public Radio (NPR), it was noted that, “More than a quarter of the state’s population is African American, but in only 1 of 7 districts do minority voters have a realistic chance of electing the candidate of their choice. Black voters are either concentrated in that district, and they are either a supermajority there or spread out across the remaining six districts, which is also known as Packing, so that their voting power is Diluted. This is just another way of suppressing the rights of the Black voters to ensure that the majority continues to elect who they want to be elected.

One thing that is for certain is that the Supreme Court will have its hands full regarding the Alabama case and The Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act was a law that was signed by on August 6, 1965. It eliminated “discriminatory voting practices” that many southern states put into effect and included a literacy test that Black people had to pass to qualify to vote. This Act has been up for review before, and since 2013, the Supreme Court has cut or blocked certain elements of the voter’s act.

In 1980, the Supreme Court decided that “voting rights advocates” had to “prove intentional discrimination” to nullify an electoral system. An amendment was then added that allowed minority voters to “prove a discriminatory result.” This is easier than trying to prove intentional discrimination and has been put in effect by the Supreme Court and lower courts since 1980. The decisions that need to be made involve overruling or modifying some of the previous decisions that have been in effect for more than 30 years.

Texas is no stranger to voter suppression. Just last year, Governor Abbott signed off on Senate Bill 1, which placed new restrictions on voting. Passing this bill was very strategic especially before the upcoming 2022 elections. This bill placed a ban on drive thru voting, which was a convenient option for voters and allowed them to place their vote while remaining in their car. It even proved to be a popular option amongst voters. The bill also placed regulations for voting hours, which included eliminating 24-hour voting. In addition, the distribution of mail-in ballot applications was banned. In the past, all voters who were eligible to vote received an application to vote by mail.

Anyone 65 and older qualifies to vote by mail but mailing out unrequested applications to them is a crime. Allowing mail in ballots was beneficial for those with disabilities or for those who simply have no transportation to get to the polls. This also include new laws on ID requirements for voting by mail. If people are voting by mail, they must provide their driver’s license or the last four digits of their social security number. Some people may not have a driver’s license or their social security info, which would disqualify them from being able to vote. There are also new guidelines put in place for poll watchers that gives them “free movement,” while in a polling place. It is now a criminal offence to block their view or their observation.

Additionally, this bill requires monthly citizenship checks to “identify noncitizens.” According to the Pew Research Center, there were approximately 25 million noncitizens living in the U.S. as of 2017. That included 12.3 million permanent residents and 2.2 million temporary residents in the country with legal permission and 10.5 million living in the country without legal permission.” This bill makes it possible to disqualify as many voters as possible.

And lastly, the bill prohibits assistance for those who need assistance with filling out their ballots, even those individuals with disabilities. If anyone is to help them, they must fill out forms discussing the nature of their relationship to the voter, as well as reciting an oath, and their interaction with the voter must be limited while they place their vote.

All these elements were designed to disqualify as many votes as possible. For hundreds and hundreds of years, race has always been an issue at the forefront of politics. Two things that remains the same, is that suppression is very real and how Black voters need to get out and vote.

With almost a month out from the November election, every Black voter needs to research who is running for what position, and really key in on their platform, their morals, values, and their history to truly understand who they are as a politician. Most importantly, do not vote for someone based on their skin color. Just because a person is Black, or the same race as you, it does not mean they are for you. Do your research and on November 8, 2022, get up and get out to vote like your life depends on it.

 

 

 

Share31Tweet20
Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

Recommended For You

The Ensemble Theatre Announces the Inclusion of Three New Board Members

by aframnews
6 months ago
0
The Ensemble Theatre Announces the Inclusion of Three New Board Members

The Ensemble Theatre has a history and a legacy of being one of the leading cultural institutions in the City of Houston.  Founded in 1976 by the late...

Read more

Chasing The Rugby and Football Dream

by aframnews
6 months ago
0
Chasing The Rugby and Football Dream

By: Asia Williams It is very common to hear about athletes chasing the American football dream, however junior John McDonald’s dedication to the sport is like no other....

Read more

Celebrating Champions: Jack & Jill of America, Inc. North Houston Suburban Chapter 2023 Champions For Children Gala

by aframnews
6 months ago
0
Celebrating Champions: Jack & Jill of America, Inc. North Houston Suburban Chapter 2023 Champions For Children Gala

Houston, TX-Minute Maid Park’s Union Station on Saturday March 11, 2023, was aligned with some of Houston’s best known Who’s Who in community leadership for the Champions For...

Read more

Women’s Empowerment Breakfast

by Crystal LaShan
6 months ago
0
Women’s Empowerment Breakfast

Brothers Organized 4 Change presented Dr. Ruth J. Simmons’s “HER-OES” HONORS, which was a great Women’s Empowerment Breakfast celebrating some of Houston’s most outstanding Women leaders. Their motto...

Read more

Bebe Wilson

by Crystal LaShan
6 months ago
0
Bebe Wilson

Houston’s Arts Community would not be the same without Bebe Wilson’s extraordinary talent.  She has put in the work. Whether she is acting for the Ensemble Theatre, teaching...

Read more
Next Post
Skin Color Is Not The Origin Of Intelligence

Skin Color Is Not The Origin Of Intelligence

Latest Articles

The Ensemble Theatre Announces the Inclusion of Three New Board Members

The Ensemble Theatre Announces the Inclusion of Three New Board Members

6 months ago
Chasing The Rugby and Football Dream

Chasing The Rugby and Football Dream

6 months ago
Celebrating Champions: Jack & Jill of America, Inc. North Houston Suburban Chapter 2023 Champions For Children Gala

Celebrating Champions: Jack & Jill of America, Inc. North Houston Suburban Chapter 2023 Champions For Children Gala

6 months ago

NEED PAST ISSUES?

Search our archive of past issues Receive our Latest Updates
* indicates required
  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

ARTICLES

  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

CONNECT WITH US

  • Home
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

  • Hispanic News
  • Shirley Ann’s Flower Shop
African American News and Issues

African American News & Issues
6130 Wheatley St
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 692-1892

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Announcements
  • Events
  • Afram TV
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?