10.5 Political Representation and Participation

African Americans face ongoing challenges in political participation, including voter suppression and gerrymandering. These barriers limit representation and influence in government, despite progress in electing Black officials at various levels.

The Congressional Black Caucus advocates for racial justice, while grassroots activism and civil rights legislation have advanced equality. Intersectionality in politics ensures diverse experiences within the Black community are addressed.

Barriers to Political Participation

Voter Suppression Tactics

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  New voter ID rule in North Carolina sparks worries about fairness for Black and Latino voters ... View original

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  Federal Judge Blocks NC's Voter ID Law, Citing State's 'Sordid History' of Racist Voter ... View original

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• Voter suppression includes various methods used to discourage or prevent specific groups from voting, often disproportionately affecting African American communities
• Voter ID laws require specific forms of identification to vote, which can be difficult for some individuals to obtain (driver's licenses, passports)
• Closing polling locations in predominantly Black neighborhoods reduces access to voting sites and increases travel time for voters
• Purging voter rolls removes registered voters from the list, often targeting African American voters under the guise of maintaining accurate records
• Felon disenfranchisement laws strip voting rights from individuals with felony convictions, even after serving their sentences, disproportionately impacting Black communities due to higher incarceration rates

Gerrymandering and Its Impact

• Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or group, often diluting the voting power of African American communities
• Packing concentrates Black voters into a single district to minimize their influence in surrounding districts, ensuring only one majority-Black district
• Cracking divides Black communities across multiple districts to prevent them from forming a majority in any single district, diluting their voting power
• Gerrymandering can lead to the election of representatives who do not accurately reflect the interests of the African American community, despite significant Black populations in the area

Black Political Representation

Increasing Black Elected Officials

• The number of Black elected officials has grown significantly since the Civil Rights Movement, with African Americans serving at all levels of government (local, state, federal)
• In 2021, there were over 1,000 Black elected officials serving in state legislatures and over 50 in the U.S. Congress, reflecting progress in political representation
• Notable examples of Black elected officials include President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senator Cory Booker, demonstrating the potential for African Americans to achieve high office
• Despite progress, Black elected officials remain underrepresented relative to the African American population, highlighting the need for continued efforts to increase representation

Congressional Black Caucus and Its Role

• The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is a group of African American members of the U.S. Congress who advocate for issues important to the Black community
• Founded in 1971, the CBC has grown from 13 original members to over 50 in 2021, reflecting the increasing number of Black elected officials in Congress
• The CBC works to promote legislation that addresses racial disparities, such as criminal justice reform, voting rights protection, and economic empowerment initiatives
• Members of the CBC, such as Representatives John Lewis and Maxine Waters, have been vocal advocates for civil rights and racial justice, using their platform to raise awareness and push for change

Advancing Civil Rights through Politics

Key Civil Rights Legislation

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and federally funded programs
• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, and provided federal oversight of elections in areas with a history of voter suppression
• The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex
• These landmark pieces of legislation were the result of sustained political pressure from the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Black elected officials and allies in Congress

Political Mobilization for Civil Rights

• African American communities have mobilized politically to advocate for civil rights, using tactics such as voter registration drives, protests, and lobbying efforts
• The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, formed in 1964, challenged the all-white Mississippi delegation at the Democratic National Convention, drawing national attention to voter suppression and discrimination
• The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, organized by civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., brought over 200,000 people to the nation's capital to demand racial equality and economic justice
• Political mobilization efforts continue today, with organizations like the NAACP, National Urban League, and Black Lives Matter working to advance civil rights through political action and advocacy

Grassroots Activism and Intersectionality

The Power of Grassroots Activism

• Grassroots activism involves community-based organizing and mobilization to address local issues and promote social change
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, was a grassroots movement that led to the desegregation of public transportation in Montgomery, Alabama
• The Black Lives Matter movement, which began as a hashtag in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer, has grown into a global network of grassroots activists fighting against police brutality and systemic racism
• Grassroots activism allows African American communities to take the lead in advocating for their own interests and effecting change at the local level

Intersectionality in African American Politics

• Intersectionality recognizes that individuals have multiple, overlapping identities (race, gender, class, sexuality) that shape their experiences and political interests
• African American women, such as Fannie Lou Hamer and Shirley Chisholm, have been at the forefront of intersectional activism, advocating for both racial and gender equality
• The #SayHerName campaign, launched by the African American Policy Forum, highlights the often-overlooked experiences of Black women who are victims of police violence, demonstrating the importance of an intersectional approach
• Embracing intersectionality in African American politics ensures that the diverse experiences and needs of the community are addressed, rather than focusing on a single aspect of identity