COMMENTARY Reporter Newspapers Our mission is to provide our readers with fresh and engaging information about life in their communities. Published by Springs Publishing LLC 6065 Roswell Road, Suite 225 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: 404-917-2200 • Fax: 404-917-2201 Brookhaven Reporter | Buckhead Reporter Dunwoody Reporter | Sandy Springs Reporter www.ReporterNewspapers.net Atlanta INtown www.AtlantaINtownPaper.com
CONTACT US
Founder & Publisher Steve Levene stevelevene@reporternewspapers.net Editorial Managing Editor Joe Earle joeearle@reporternewspapers.net Intown Editor: Collin Kelley Staff Writers: Ellen Eldridge Copy Editor: Diane L. Wynocker Creative and Production Director of Creative & Interactive Media Christopher North chrisnorth@reporternewspapers.net Graphic Designer: Isadora Pennington Advertising Director of Sales Development Amy Arno amyarno@reporternewspapers.net Senior Account Executives Jeff Kremer Janet Porter Account Executives Susan Lesesne Office Manager Deborah Davis deborahdavis@reporternewspapers.net Contributors Mary Helen Kelly, Phil Mosier, John Ruch
Free Home Delivery 65,000 copies of Reporter Newspapers are delivered by carriers to homes in ZIP codes 30305, 30319, 30326, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30342 and 30350 and to more than 500 business/retail locations. For locations, check “Where To Find Us” at www.ReporterNewspapers.net For delivery requests, please email delivery@reporternewspapers.net. © 2015 With all rights reserved Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Reporter Newspapers or Springs Publishing, LLC.
6
|
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law on Aug. 6, 1965. The landmark legislation remade politics in the southern United States by ensuring that members of minority groups could not be prohibited from voting. The U.S. Department of Justice says on its website that the act “has been called the single most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever passed by Congress.” Dr. Kendra A. King Momon, a professor of politics at Oglethorpe University, and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta), who as a civil rights activist played an important role in events leading to the passage of the legislation, offer their insights on the Voting Rights Act’s 50th anniversary.
Reflect yes, but work still needs to be done As we approach 50 years since the passing of the historic and landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, I believe it remains the best of times and the worst of times for African Americans in the U.S. It is the best of times in that over the past 50 years an unprecedented number of African Americans have been elected to local, state and national office. It is the best of times in that African Americans are being recognized on and off the field for their immeasurable economic, educational, political, social and cultural contributions to the world house. And, it is the best of times as cities like Atlanta - with a strong African American populous - continues to draw and attract international acclaim, businesses and residents. It is the worst of times, however, as 50 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, African Americans have not been fully protected, nor have their rights been fully extended. It is the worst of times as black churches are being burned down and black lives are being shot down in houses of worship. And, it is the worst of times as racial, economic, social and cultural antipathy rises exponentially both here and abroad. Still, I remain hopeful that positive redress will abound. In my book “African American Politics,” I detail the tenuous journey of African Americans to secure the right to vote. From the violence-filled “Bloody Sunday” attack on many,
including two of our state’s beloved sons – U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Rev. C. T. Vivian - to Dr. Martin L. King Jr.’s “Give Us The Ballot” speech – the past 50 have not been an easy course of navigation. Yet, the affects and effects of these collective efforts are undeniable. We are a better people and a better nation because of the courage our known and unknown lead- DR. KENDRA A. ers had to rewrite the law to empower those previously excluded KING MOMON due to xenophobia and man-made GUEST COLUMN laws. As we take time to reflect on this momentous occasion, I humbly submit that the time is ripe for a recommitment to the eradication of extensions of the law and full fledge Voting Rights for all of America’s citizens. Moreover, I humbly submit that the time is ripe to look beyond voting rights to economic rights for the “least of America’s children.” Dr. Kendra A. King Momon is an associate professor of politics in the division of history, politics and international studies at Oglethorpe University. She also is director of the Rich Foundation Urban Leadership Program.
Rep. John Lewis: Repair the Voting Rights Act Across the country, there is a deliberate, systematic attempt to make it harder and more difficult for the disabled, students, seniors, minorities, poor and rural voters to participate in the democratic process. We must not let that happen. That is why we need to repair and restore the Voting Rights Act now more than ever before. The burden should not be placed on citizens whose rights are violated to mount their own defense. As leaders of this Congress, we have the power to change that. We can make access to the ballot box more simple and more fair. The right to vote is the most powerful, nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society. My own mother, father, grandparents and great-grandparents could not register to vote. My father died before he was ever able to cast a vote in this country. We must not slip back to that dark past. We have to throw off the burden of fear, and continue to move forward.
As leaders of this country, we have a moral obligation to repair the Voting Rights Act. It is our duty in a democratic society to open up the political process and let every citizen have a say in their own future. That is something every American and all of us here in the Congress can agree upon. We must do this now, and we must do it on our watch. It is what the people of this country deserve. Thank you.
U.S. REP. JOHN LEWIS
GUEST COLUMN U.S. Rep. John Lewis represents the Georgia’s Fifth District, which includes portions of Buckhead and Brookhaven.
Do y o u have so me thing to say? Send your letters to editor@reporternewspapers.net
JULY 24 – AUG. 6, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net
BK