bizSearchDisfranchisement—then and now
They “disfranchised us, and now we intend to disfranchise them.”
It sounds like what North Carolina Republicans might have said behind closed doors while they were gerrymandering legislative and congressional districts to assure their party’s continuing dominance.
However, the words came from a white Democratic state senator more than 100 years ago. Legendary historian C. Vann Woodward used the quote to show the thinking behind the white supremacy political movement in the late 1800s.
Both efforts, the post-Reconstruction “disfranchisement” and the 2011 redistricting, reduced the influence of African Americans in state government.
What made me think about the link between these two events, separated by more than 100 years?
First, an early reading of an upcoming biography of Josephus ...
| To continue reading, become a member.
Already a member, please login: |
Or, buy a day pass! $0.99. Buy NowOr, become a member! Join Now |
