In 1963, Governor George Wallace of Alabama expressed that he believed segregation should never end, revealing the deep-rooted nature of racism. Six decades later, one would hope such attitudes would be relics of history buried in the annals of a bygone era. However, when we gaze upon Alabama today, progress has slowly arrived.

Alabama, as you may know, finds itself at the center of a contentious battle over voting rights. In a page taken straight from Governor Wallace’s playbook, Republican state legislators defy a direct Supreme Court order to redraw gerrymandered electoral maps that disadvantage Black voters.

The legislative response to the Supreme Court’s June ruling in Allen v. Milligan was obstinate. Alabama lawmakers submitted a map that does not meet the requirement for another district with a Black majority. They acknowledged it. Federal district court judges invalidated this new map, expressing deep concern over the legislators’ deliberate inaction.

However, these Alabama lawmakers believe they can win by losing. Their plan revolves around appealing to the Supreme Court once more. The Alabama House Speaker admitted that since a narrow 5-4 margin decided the court’s previous ruling, they only needed to sway one judge to their side this time.

Amid legal issues, a federal court has ordered a special master and cartographer to create a new district map. Yes, a cartographer. The conflict in Alabama may cause the redistricting process to become chaotic. It may use the old discriminatory map for the upcoming elections if resolved later.

Moreover, Alabama is not alone in attempting to turn back the clock on voting rights. Florida has entered the fight by canceling a redistricting plan that would have excluded Black voters. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is an ardent supporter of this plan.

Court battles over electoral maps embroil many other states, including Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. For millions of Americans, this battle is not a matter of politics but is personal and painful.

Reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, one should be reminded that it made their lives possible because of those who fought for civil rights six decades ago. Witnessing voting rights come under attack again, all these years later, is a heartbreaking blow.

As civil rights advocates did in the 1960s, we must fight back. Back then, the remedy was federal legislation, and it can be once more. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act protect voting rights from abuse. These bills came close to passing as a package before facing GOP opposition and the filibuster in the Senate last year.

However, we must maintain hope. Representative Terri Sewell of Alabama, who is familiar with the situation, is introducing the John Lewis Act.

While it may seem challenging to expect the current GOP-controlled House to defend voting rights, we cannot relent in our fight. Committing to voting rights means the people will vote for candidates protecting them in November. The courts have offered us a partial victory, but the ultimate triumph will come when we vote for those who spearhead and protect our voting rights.

Cite Work:
Alabama’s not the only state that’s drawing up racist voting maps.https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/4196574-alabamas-not-the-only-state-thats-doubling-down-on-racist-voting-maps/?fbclid=IwAR0IYTNj5wd6lyTYdWkyP0U9PMNfsf2ygTgzXmyTRtfW3FQ5QLRPnXIbcfU

United States : Bennet, Hickenlooper Reintroduce Landmark Voting Rights Bill. (2021). MENA Report.