The NPR Politics Podcast The Docket: The Rise And Fall Of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965
Jul 29, 2021
Dive into the vital history of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, born from the civil rights movement. Discover the brutal realities of voter discrimination and confrontations leading to legislative change. Learn how recent Supreme Court decisions have weakened its protections and opened doors to voter suppression. Explore the crucial role of grassroots activism in mobilizing marginalized communities amid restrictive laws. The ongoing struggle for racial justice and equitable voting rights remains urgent and critical.
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VRA Necessity
- Despite the 15th Amendment (1870), the Voting Rights Act was needed due to discriminatory Southern laws.
- These included literacy tests, poll taxes, violence, and Supreme Court interpretations hindering Black voting.
Bloody Sunday
- The Voting Rights Act's passage involved events like Bloody Sunday, where John Lewis and others marched for voting rights.
- State troopers attacked them on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, shocking the nation and prompting legislative action.
Section 5 Impact
- Section 5 of the VRA empowered the Attorney General to freeze discriminatory voting laws.
- This significantly increased Black voter registration, but Southern states challenged it, leading to the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case.