1/10 🧵Experts in the study of democracy hold that the United States has only been a full-fledged democracy since the 1968 election.
❓Why?
2/10 Why 1968?
It was the first time African-Americans could vote without traditional legal barriers.
Before then, voting while Black often meant navigating a gauntlet of literacy tests, poll taxes, and outright intimidation.
3/10 The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 began dismantling these barriers.
It targeted racial discrimination in voting, ending practices that silenced many African-Americans.
But change wasn’t immediate.
4/10 By the time the 1968 election came around, the impact of the Act had begun to resonate, giving African-Americans a clearer path to the voting booth.
This was a seismic shift in the nation’s political landscape.
5/10 But systemic racism didn’t end with the ballot box.
From 1968 to today, the struggle for equality has continued, morphing into new challenges for African-Americans.
6/10 For instance, stricter voter ID laws have emerged, frequently under the banner of ‘voter fraud’ prevention.
These laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities, who often face hurdles in obtaining the necessary identification.
7/10 The myth of ‘voter fraud’ has been largely debunked, with evidence showing it to be exceedingly rare.
Yet, it serves as a rallying cry for measures that make voting more challenging for certain communities.
brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-…
8/10 Unfortunately, such laws have found traction in the Republican party, especially in southern states.
The result?
A more complicated voting process for many African-Americans, continuing the legacy of voter suppression.
9/10 So while we’ve come a long way since 1968, our journey towards a truly inclusive democracy is still underway.
We must grapple with the reality of systemic racism and strive to eradicate these lingering barriers to full participation.
ama-assn.org/delivering-car…
10/10 To truly live up to the ideal of democracy, we must ensure that every citizen has an equal voice.
freedomhouse.org/report/special…
#VotingRights #DemocracyReform #EndVoterSuppression
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