Among the sources at our disposal for getting a bead on the issues troubling the average American, we reviewed those still getting their news from the radio.
Recently, several local outlets in New York City that featured call-ins heard from people who voicing concerns about the increased cost of living, transportation inadequacies, and a host of political problems, including term limits, the electoral college, and the possibility that Donald Trump will live up to his promise of imposing the Insurrection Act.
All the latter concerns can only be changed by Congress, which as we all know is controlled by Republicans and Trump, their ringleader. Several callers on one show raised questions about gerrymandering and redistricting, and how these will affect the upcoming midterm elections. Again, the ball is in the GOP’s court, and nothing is more critical on this matter than the current case, Louisiana v. Callais.
The case portends further evisceration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which to a great degree has already been weakened by the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder, in which the court invalidated Section 4 (b), which determined the jurisdictions that required federal approval, or that the formula was outdated and no longer reflecting current voting conditions.
What’s at stake now in Louisiana is very similar to Section 2 (which bans racial discrimination in voting) of the historic Act now in jeopardy; it also could provide a roadmap for the Republicans to acquire additional congressional seats.
So much of this case depends on how and when the court rules because some of the seats could be redistricted before next year’s midterm elections. Even more problematic, the court’s ruling could have wider implications, giving the Republicans a veto-proof majority in some state legislatures. It boils down to mapmakers in southern states no longer being required to abide by long-standing rules and to draw districts where Black voters would no longer have an opportunity to elect their preferred candidates.
Hence, Section 2, like Section 5, is erased. As long as Republicans and Trump hold the reins of government, particularly Congress, marginalized communities can only hope to get a critical mass in other states to offset the Trump juggernaut.
We have a lot of work to do.