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https://laceonrace.com/2021/03/03/the-north-star-and-voting-rights/

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The North Star and Voting Rights

Discussion

[Rhonda Freeman]

I am looking forward to hearing what others have to share on this subject. I find myself taking a deep breath and saying ‘ok, here we go again’. I am deeply discouraged and find myself thinking that I can not control the white people (primarily rich white men) who make these laws, but I can take a deep breath and follow black leaders who tell me: where to canvas to support black and brown people to know the rules during any given election, what black leaders need to support people to get registered, what black leaders need to bring people to the polls. Fine, you make the rules, we will understand them and still come vote.

[Laura Berwick]

Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?

Even if it were ‘only’ about voting… voting is an enormous deal in a country that pays as much lip-service to democracy as we do. White people went to war over being taxed by people they didn’t get to vote for. And then there was zero daylight between that and subjecting Black people to various legislation that THEY never got a say in. If we want to squash down systemic inequity, voting is one of the foundation stones that needs to be preserved and made not just “available” but EASILY ACCESSIBLE to Black and brown people. It’s not the only foundation stone, but it’s crucial. White people know this. Fought. War. See above.

Consider power dynamic, particularly considering states with ‘majority minority’ populations, and in other states where that fear is real for white people. How does this element inform this discussion?

There are people genuinely afraid that white people becoming a minority will mean the “destruction” of the America they know and love. Because they know and love white supremacy. This is why our “democracy” is set up to work the way it’s working. It’s not broken. It’s designed to NOT be democratic in ways that keep white people and white supremacist structures in control.

Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people?

Robbing Black and brown people of representation is one of those harms I am committed to lessening and mitigating. Our entire society is structured around laws and institutions that are steeped in and built upon white supremacy. We have mechanisms to make sweeping change, and sweeping change is needed, but first we have to get change makers into offices at all levels, from local to federal, and our mechanism for THAT is voting. Expecting white politicians to do the work needed to reduce and mitigate harm to Black and brown people in our country is peak white saviorism. But no… back that up… because that’s not what we expect… Considering white politicians by default the most highly qualified to lead our country, and assuming they’ll eventually get around to racial equity because reasons… that is the expectation. And it’s the same as Robin di Angelo being the poster-woman for racial equity, or me trying to become the president of my local BLM chapter. One aspect of reducing harm is accepting and following Black leadership. And one way to get Black and brown leaders into place IN SPITE OF white supremacy is to safeguard the votes of Black and brown people. Because white supremacy is the default. White supremacy is MY default, and I have to fight it every day.

How can you do more?

I can stay tapped in to organizations that focus on removing the barriers between Black and brown communities and their polling places. My state does mail in voting already, but I can give money to orgs in other states. I can research and advocate for this bill meant to improve voting access. And I can remain vigilantly on watch for the ways it too will be subverted by white supremacy.

I am reminded of what Ibram X. Kendi says about policies and laws. If they aren’t deliberately anti-racist, they are racist, no matter how “color-blind” they claim to be. Because if their results are racially inequitable, they are racist. Full stop. Anything that’s written to be “fair” but will impact white people less… is racist. Full. Stop.

[Emily Holzknecht]

Getting Black and brown leaders in place in spite of white supremacy! And keeping them there. I have found a neighboring district´s Black woman state representative to support and am keeping an eye on the candidates for our new national representative now that Deb Haaland has been confirmed as secretary of the interior. Once she is replaced, there may be a lower level office that needs to be refilled too. Itś not election season, but there is still plenty of election work to be doing right now!

[Shara Cody]

Thanks for stating it so plainly that voting needs to be “EASILY ACCESSIBLE to Black and brown people” because when I’m considering if something will impact minority voters the white supremacy in me will surely try to blur what I’m able see. I’ll work to circumvent white supremacy’s veil by focusing on listening to Black and brown people about access to vote and policies instead of on my own evaluation.

[Julia Tayler]

If policies and laws aren’t deliberately anti-racist, they are racist. Full stop. This was a good reminder and something I need to keep in mind when I’m reading about new policies etc. Even if the media is being neutral, I need to do my research and really realize how these laws will harm black and brown people.

[Megan Parmar]

Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?

The scariest part about Jan 6th and the representatives that voted to overturn the election focused their power over BIPOC. We all know they know the former President lost and there was no significant voter fraud. Watching that day it was clear that their goal wasn’t to reinstate the soon to be former president, but to provide ‘reasons’ to suppress marginalized voters to continue their white supremacy. Considering half the country wasn’t motivated to vote and another 25% supported white supremacy. Every vote matters to pass laws like the one discussed in this article.

Consider power dynamic, particularly considering states with ‘majority minority’ populations, and in other states where that fear is real for white people. How does this element inform this discussion?

White people want to retain power and do not want non-white people to have any.

Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people?

It’s very important to the North Star. I believe laws that focus on improving the lives of BIPOC will help everyone. Making sure BIPOC can vote for representatives or amendments they want is vital.

How can you do more?

I need to review Stacey Abrams published plans for how to turn out the vote and find local groups that are implementing the plans.

[Rebecca McClinton]

(crossposted to facebook) Thank you for this, Christina. I had heard whisperings of this, and this helps me understand more what’s going on.

Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?

This is definitely not just about voting. It’s about upholding the same white supremacist systems that have existed for over 400 years, that say “good enough” is equity, or as Christina named it here “sufficiently cured”. This mentality is exactly what feeds and enables the subsequent “binge of restrictive voting legislation”. Christina’s speaking to how the judicial standards for discrimination “elevate intent over impact” seem a perfect representation of how we use our systems to reinforces our white supremcaist ideals…we legislate them.

Consider power dynamic, particularly considering states with ‘majority minority’ populations, and in other states where that fear is real for white people. How does this element inform this discussion?

For states with majority minority populations, fear from white people about losing majority rule (power, economic/political benefits etc) fuels the push of these types of voter legislation.

Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people?How can you do more? Since we’ve been discussing this here I have done a bit more digging to see where my state lands on these issues, and yes, I can and must do more. How, is by learning more about the work being done already in my area and looking where I can join in those efforts.

[Emily Holzknecht]

I am thinking about how there are many industries where oversight is permanent. Even if voting rights inequity was actually “cured” some day, that does not mean there is reason to remove oversight.

[Rebecca McClinton]

Inequality being cured would be amazing, but you’re right, even if that were the case, there will always be a need for oversight = accountability.

[Julia Tayler]

Yes – I need to do more research on my community and why we don’t have very many black and brown candidates.

[Marlise Flores]

I see this as, not just about voting, but about controlling the narrative/history of a culture. The validity of the voice of BIPOC is called into question and ruled, in the most basic form (voting), as not valid.

White supremacy operates through control of narratives, which highlights why the fear reaction to white voices no longer being the prevailing and forced “way of the land.” Since white supremacy has, in many ways, been melded with white evangelical Christianity and the narrative of patriotism, there is a wide net for reaction from white people. White supremacy as a power dynamic exists everywhere. It isn’t relegated to “politics” because it was designed to harm and control BIPOC in every aspect. Where there is humanity, white supremacy lurks to restrict and remove.

For me, this means I need to approach and recognize the web that white supremacy has woven. I need to be aware and active in regards to civic duty, but I cannot neglect how narratives are controlled in the daily.

[Emily Holzknecht]

Because we are a representative democracy, decisions that affect rights afforded to and rights denied are decided by those we vote for and also in some places, ballot measures we vote for. When white people are able to vote and Black and brown people are not, white people consistently elect people who work to deny Black and brown people rights. White people consistently vote in our own self interest in terms of bonds and ballot measures too. White people consistently vote to uphold white supremacy.

In states with majority minority populations, if Black and brown people are restricted from voting, then only a small percentage of the population is deciding for everyone else. The state is being ruled by the few rather than ruled by the people. It is not a representative democracy if the people voting do not represent the population who are affected by the decisions.

In majority minority states, the few (white people) vote against everyone’s interests in order to deny Black and brown people shared services. Over time those states fall apart and everyone suffers, though Black and brown people suffer the most. And white people’s ingrained fear of scarcity becomes even more heightened, making them even more likely to vote and act in ways that harm Black and brown people.

My North Star includes voting rights for marginalized people. It must. There are ways my state could improve in terms of voting rights. There are definitely ways we can improve at the federal level in terms of voting rights. Thank you Christina for your detailed explanations.

I can do more by finding various sources to follow in order to keep up to date with what is happening in terms of voter rights locally and nationally. I can give more money to Black and brown-led organizations that work for voting rights. I can take the training to learn how to register people to vote. I can do legwork for voting rights organizations. When legislation comes up, I can urge my representatives to vote in favor of voting rights. I can share information with my bubble about what is happening in terms of voting rights and how they can support voting rights.

[Shara Cody]

Appreciate the reminder to share within my circle what’s happening/how to support voting rights as I work to do more in this area.

[Jen Scaggs]

Great reminder to help register people to vote! I know my church participated in this prior to the 2020 election, but I wasn’t available at the time. I will try to get involved with this next time.

[Shara Cody]

Voting rights matter because it’s the main system that is “supposed” to allow all people to have a say in what happens in their region and country. Preventing Black and brown people from voting prevents their voices from getting into ANY system I think, which prevents their needs from being heard, considered, and supported so it’s not just about “voting”. This line from the post nails the “why”, “… white fear that if Black and brown people are not stifled at the polls, they will access the power to change the nation and dismantle white supremacy for good.” I feel like voter oppression might be a more accurate name than voter suppression.

States with majority minority populations would probably be the most targeted by voter suppression tactics to ensure that the number of votes cast by people of minorities would not exceed the votes cast by white people. Intense compounding of voter suppression tactics in these states likely makes it impossible for people of color to vote or to bother to try.

My service to the North Star hasn’t included voting rights so far but it absolutely needs to. In Canada, voter suppression tactics exist but are more difficult to implement or maintain I think in part because there are at least 5 different political parties (main ones at least). The main tactic is identification, and although it’s not to the extent of what happens in the US, it would affect people of color the most. Some of the political parties have identified that younger people don’t make up much of their constituency and passed legislation with subtle things that make it harder for younger people to vote (like if you change addresses often which happens to attend school or change/find jobs). Targeting young people will disproportionality affect Black and brown people because the population of visible minorities is increasing rapidly in comparison to the white population. There are probably more ways that it affects voting rights of minorities and I need to do more research.

I can do more by getting involved locally to ensure voting procedures don’t discriminate against people of color and watch and listen to what’s happening at the national level and pressure elected officials and governments to change and prevent more racist policies. I can also vote for people of color.

[Jen Scaggs]

Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?

Voting was an important issues during the Civil Rights movement and it is important now because it is not only about voting. It is about power and it affects every aspect of life. White people who live in ‘majority minority’ populations are afraid that if minorities are raised up, there won’t be any power left for white people. If minorities are allowed equal voting rights, there will hopefully be more BIPOC representation proportionate to the population, thus more proportionate power distribution.

<em style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people?

Yes, it definitely should.

How can you do more?

I will advocate for the passing of this bill. I can also pay more attention to voting rights issues than I have in the past, and vote for BIPOC candidates.

[Grace Bannerman]

<font color=”#000000″>Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?</font>

<font color=”#000000″>This is not just about voting. </font><font color=”#000000″>Voting</font><font color=”#000000″> is another manifestation of </font><font color=”#000000″>an underlying situation – people in power, </font><font color=”#000000″>often/largely white people,</font><font color=”#000000″> </font><font color=”#000000″>systematically denying Black and brown people </font><font color=”#000000″>rights as citizens </font><font color=”#000000″>in the USA.</font><font color=”#000000″> </font><font color=”#000000″>It also shows how dangerous the idea of civil rights being “fixed” or “finished” is – how even steps </font><font color=”#000000″>like the VRA </font><font color=”#000000″>can be countered and rolled back at an opportune moment.</font>

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Consider power dynamic, particularly considering states with ‘majority minority’ populations, and in other states where that fear is real for white people. How does this element inform this discussion?

<font color=”#000000″>I would imagine that in states that are majority minority, or where that is a fear for white people, voting law changes are even less likely to plausibly be about protecting democracy or protecting the will of the majority (</font><font color=”#000000″>though</font><font color=”#000000″> </font><font color=”#000000″>racial/ethnic </font><font color=”#000000″>minority voters </font><font color=”#000000″>will not vote homogeneously)</font><font color=”#000000″> </font><font color=”#000000″>and be more about white people </font><font color=”#000000″>currently in power </font><font color=”#000000″>maintaining power.</font>

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Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people? How can you do more?

<font color=”#000000″>Currently my service does not </font><font color=”#000000″>significantly </font><font color=”#000000″>include </font><font color=”#000000″>advocating for </font><font color=”#000000″>voting rights for marginalized peopl</font><font color=”#000000″>e (though I have phonebanked around exercising those rights)</font><font color=”#000000″>. I anticipate that my senators will support HR1. I can do more by </font><font color=”#000000″>seeking out and </font><font color=”#000000″>financially engaging with organizations that </font><font color=”#000000″>advance </font><font color=”#000000″>voting rights for </font><font color=”#000000″>Black and brown people and other marginalized people.
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[Julia Tayler]

Why does this matter? Is it ‘only’ about voting?

It matters because the candidates and laws we pass are supposed to be the people we all agree on. Not just the white people or the people who can get to the polls (again mostly white people). We call ourselves a democracy – by and for the people. Not by and for the white people. Or by and for the rich people. Also, laws can hurt or help black and brown people more than white people. For example, zoning issues can unfairly affect black and brown people and not even register on white people’s radars.

Consider power dynamic, particularly considering states with ‘majority minority’ populations, and in other states where that fear is real for white people. How does this element inform this discussion? Democracy isn’t true if white people in the minority are making all the laws and decisions for black and brown people who are actually in the majority. Like some of the other commenters mentioned I have heard the “oh no, white people will soon be the minority party” from people who want to cling to the status quo. They are desperate to keep their guns and their rules (as they interpret them) from the beginning of our nation.

Does your service to our North Star include voting rights for marginalized people? Yes it should and it will.

How can you do more? I will find out why more black and brown people don’t run for office in my county and help with campaigns for the ones that do. Help them get the word out and make the changes we need to make.

[Author]

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