Opinion: Voter disenfranchisement still evident

By Sam Chavez
Videographer

Voter disenfranchisement is a phrase that should not exist in a democratic society. Its ultimate goal is to silence those who the state does not like. According to the Oxford Dictionary, disenfranchisement means “the state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote.”

Unsurprisingly, disenfranchisement has its roots in the Jim Crow South after Reconstruction. The removal of federal troops with the Hayes-Tilden compromise of 1877 allowed for a violent suppression of Black voter turnout and fraud was used to undo lawfully cast votes. The reconstruction era lasted a measly 12 years, but during that time African Americans were being elected into positions of power. Only 50 years later would the 19th amendment be ratified, allowing for all women to vote, however, white women disproportionately reaped the benefit. After the civil rights movement (which should never have happened under a “free” Amerika) the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was ratified which finally outlawed the use of literacy tests and poll taxes. It also mandated that jurisdictions should receive clearance from either the District Court for the District of Columbia or the U.S. Attorney General before adding any new voting practices, meaning an end to Jim Crow era black codes. 

With this only happening 59 years ago, I’d argue that it’s not too much of a stretch to say that there is still a more nuanced type of systemic racism in our society and state governments. There are people alive today who are older than the end of segregation in this country…

Currently, there are over 4.4 million Americans banned from voting due to felony convictions. We should also note that life sentences are disproportionately imposed on Black, Latino, and other people of color. In fact, as of 2021, more than ⅔ of people serving life sentences with no parole are people of color, 55% are Black. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, “Black males received sentences 13.4 percent longer, and Hispanic males received sentences 11.2 percent longer than White males” and “Black males were 23.4 percent less likely, and Hispanic males were 26.6 percent less likely, to receive a probationary sentence compared to White males”.

Not to mention that in 2021 according to the Bureau of Justice, Black people were overall six times more likely to be incarcerated than whites for similar offenses. In total one in 19 African Americans are disenfranchised. There is obvious evidence that systemic racism is still upheld in modern society. Though inherent biases are inevitable, these facts alone should be appalling!

Shame on you if you do not believe in Critical Race Theory, which many governments, including Texas, outright deny for being “liberal sissy propaganda” or whatever. But be aware that this country has a history of suppressing those it does not want to have a say. Ultimately, America hates people of color and the poor. 

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