RT wanye (@xwanyex)There is extensive, widespread racial and gender discrimination in the United States and almost all of it in exactly the opposite direction from what you’ve been told.Much of this discrimination is explicit, institutionalized. Much of it is cultural (e.g. who you’re allowed to criticize, what you’re allowed to joke about).I think we can say this with enough certainty at this point that admitting it is table stakes. ...

[Music] If I were to say, I'm resilient, displaced but not defeated. My mental health unstable and depleted, grateful to epitomize black excellence, yet saddened by the collateral damage, stuck in limbo, questioning what is heavier, the degree or the crown. You'd probably say, "Oh, it's just a poem about something." Yeah, it's whatever.Yet, it's more than just a poem. Yet, academically, if I were to say, black students are far more likely to experience racial discrimination than their non-black peers, and t ...

The Supreme Court appears on the verge of further undercutting voting rights. It's a move that could have huge implications on the upcoming midterm elections for you. The dispute stems from Louisiana where a federal judge ordered lawmakers to draw a second majority black congressional district after ruling their original map with just one out of six districts being held by Democrats unlawfully diluted black voting power.Now, a group of white voters is challenging that decision, arguing it goes too far. It's ...

Voting Rights Act Overview - The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to end Jim Crow era policies and ensure states could not disenfranchise black voters [2] - The Act was reshaped and expanded to protect a broader range of Americans, including Spanish speakers, Native Americans, disabled people, and minority voters [3] - Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act outlaws election practices that deny or limit voting rights based on race [8] Supreme Court Decisions & Challenges - In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4B of the Voting Rights Act, weakening Section 5, which established preclearance for states with histories of discriminatory policies [5][6] - The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Louisiana versus Cala, a case challenging a congressional map with two majority-black districts [9][10] - Conservative justices signaled willingness to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, potentially legalizing gerrymandering by race [11] Implications of Dismantling the Voting Rights Act - Opponents of the Voting Rights Act, including Chief Justice John Roberts, have worked to dismantle it piece by piece [12][14] - Dismantling the Voting Rights Act could lead to over-representation of white voters and under-representation of black voters [23] - Without Section 2, it would be more difficult to challenge discriminatory election practices based on their outcome, requiring proof of intent [30][31] Representation & Gerrymandering - A group of white voters in Louisiana is challenging a congressional map that has created two majority black districts out of six, representing one-third of Louisiana's population [10][11] - Striking down Section 2 could allow Republicans to pick up an estimated 19 congressional seats through gerrymandering [11] - White people only make up 56% of the population in Louisiana, but are seeking more representation than they deserve [23]

Legal & Political Context - The Supreme Court is reviewing a case concerning Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which protects minority voters from discrimination [1] - Section 2 is crucial because it remains operable after a key part of the Voting Rights Act was weakened in 2013 [5] - Section 2 is grounded in the 14th and 15th Amendments, aiming to prevent states from minimizing the power of minority voters through redistricting [8] Discrimination & Voting Rights - The NAACP Legal Defense Fund argued a Supreme Court case to protect minority voting rights [4] - Section 2 aims to ensure an equally open electoral process, preventing the cancellation or minimization of votes based on race [6][11] - Louisiana's congressional districts in 2022, despite a declining white electorate and an increasing black electorate, only provided equal opportunity for black Louisianans in one out of six districts [9] - There is evidence of severe racially polarized voting in Louisiana, contributing to the need for a fairer map [13] - Historically, black people in Louisiana have never been elected on a statewide basis, indicating potential systemic racism [12] Historical Significance - The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was essential to give black people the ability to exercise their right to vote, addressing the fact that the 15th Amendment was initially a "parchment promise" [16] - The Voting Rights Act is considered the birth certificate of a multi-racial democracy, a project that began in 1965 [18]

Legal & Political Landscape - A court ruling against race as a redistricting factor could significantly impact the nation, potentially leading to Republicans gaining as many as 19 new House seats and diminishing minority representation in Congress [1] - The conservative justices on the Supreme Court seemed prepared to either deem Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional in certain applications or weaken it, potentially eliminating the requirement for minority opportunity districts [9] - This potential weakening of Section 2 could extend beyond congressional districts, affecting state legislatures and city councils across the country with sizable minority populations [10] - The Supreme Court's precedent in Allen versus Milligan, a similar case, should control the Louisiana case, despite concerns about reargument [16] - The 15th Amendment, explicitly mentioning race, plays a central role, while there are concerns about manipulating the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause [19][21] Louisiana Redistricting Case - In Louisiana, 42% of black people reside in majority-white congressional districts [6] - Black people constitute one-third (33.33%) of Louisiana's electorate, while white people make up approximately 58% [7] - Under the original map, white people controlled 83% of the congressional districts, and under the remedial map, they still controlled 66% [7] - The remedial map aims to provide black voters with a fair chance, not necessarily a proportional share, at electing representatives of their choice [8] - There are numerous alternative maps that could bring Louisiana into compliance with the Constitution and Section 2 without race predominating [22]

Supreme Court & Voting Rights Act - The Supreme Court heard arguments suggesting Louisiana's majority-black district may violate the Constitution [1][2] - Six Republican-appointed justices indicated the Voting Rights Act (VRA) may have outlived its usefulness [4][5] - A potential dismantling of the VRA could impact congressional districts in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Florida [6][7] Potential Impact on Elections - Overturning the VRA could lead to the cracking of majority-minority districts, potentially favoring Republicans [8] - Estimates suggest Democrats could lose up to 19 seats if Section Two of the VRA is struck down, though a more realistic estimate is around 12 seats [9] - Redistricting, influenced by political pressure, could result in a net gain of 6-8 seats for Republicans [10] - Partisanship is strongly linked to race, potentially disadvantaging Black candidates in certain districts [13] Concerns & Counterarguments - Justice Sotomayor argued that overturning the law could require Black populations to exceed 51% to elect Black candidates [12] - Critics argue that racism remains a significant factor in American society and elections, undermining the argument that the VRA is no longer necessary [17][20] - Following the gutting of sections four and five of the VRA, a wave of laws designed to disenfranchise the Black population emerged [16] - Examples of voter suppression tactics include voter ID laws, polling place closures in Black communities, and curtailed early voting hours [16][21]

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this week in a case that could disenfranchise voters even more than the current Republican redistricting frenzy. The case is just the latest in a series of attacks on the Voting Rights Act, which is known as one of the crown jewels of the Civil Rights Movement. The case, Louisiana versus Cala, challenges a congressional map that Louisiana adopted in 2024 to comply with the Voting Rights Act. That map created two majority black districts. Now, it's hard to see ...

Voting Rights & Democracy - The Voting Rights Act, signed into law 60 years ago, is under attack, with Texas Republicans accused of erasing its legacy through district manipulation [1][2] - The core issue is framed as a fight to protect democracy against those who would trade it for power, emphasizing the importance of collective action and resistance [3][8] - The redistricting efforts in Texas are described as a "rigged districtricting" and a "pole tax," designed to discriminate against Black and Brown voters [6][7] - Concerns are raised that the actions in Texas could set a precedent for other states and the entire country, highlighting the national implications of the issue [7] - The speakers emphasize the need to stand up for the right to vote, which people have died for, and to keep democracy in place [8] Political Landscape & Accusations - The speakers accuse Donald Trump and his allies of trying to rig the system by changing the rules and shutting voters out of the process [43][44] - There are accusations that the redistricting is racially motivated, with specific examples of districts being packed with African-Americans and economic engines being removed [49][51] - Missouri representatives claim that Donald Trump drew maps in Washington D C and sent them to Texas and Missouri [19][20] - The representatives from North Carolina highlight the dangers of partisan gerrymandering, citing their own state's experience where Republicans have a disproportionate number of seats despite Democrats receiving more votes [34][36][37] Call to Action & Support - The speakers call for unity and support for the Texas legislators who are fighting against the redistricting efforts, emphasizing that they are not alone [3][4][11][15][39] - The representatives from other states express their solidarity with Texas and pledge to fight against similar efforts in their own states [18][22][23][39] - The speakers urge the media to change their narrative and accurately portray the situation in Texas, emphasizing that it is not just about partisan politics but about racial discrimination [49][62] - The Texas state representatives get paid $600 per month and are being fined $500 per day, highlighting the financial sacrifices they are making [61]

Welcome back to Velio on MSNBC. I'm Charles Coleman Jr. . filling in for Ally today.Now, since returning to office, Donald Trump has dismantled decades old agencies and initiatives which were initially designed to protect black Americans and other marginalized communities. He has justified these actions by claiming he's rooting out racial discrimination disguised as diversity, equity, and inclusion. But as Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Nicole Hannah Jones points out in a new york a new essay for the New ...