Fighting For Black Political Power As Voting Rights Act Turns 60
As one of the most impactful pieces of legislation in American history, the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act should be a time of celebration. Now, instead of celebrating the advancements of American democracy, communities across the country find themselves in the middle of a multi-generational attack on the franchise and all the other rights that flow from it.
Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965, the Voting Rights Act offered the first real promise of full political participation for Black Americans across the South. The safeguards and protections established by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 paved the way for a more representative government that began to reflect the will of the people, by the people.
Civil Rights groups have commemorated the day, reflecting on the resilience and determination of our predecessors, as we face an increasingly hostile anti-democracy minority running recklessly across the federal government.
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