Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands’ Post

🇺🇸 Embracing Civic Duty: Exercising the Right to Vote 🗳️ As an American citizen, I take great pride in our nation's rich history and the principles upon which it was founded. One of the fundamental rights bestowed upon us is the right to vote – a cornerstone of our democracy and a privilege that should never be taken for granted. Every time I step into the voting booth, I am reminded of the countless individuals who fought tirelessly for the freedoms we enjoy today. From suffragists who paved the way for women's suffrage to civil rights activists who championed equality for all, their sacrifices serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of civic engagement. By casting my ballot, I am not only honoring their legacy but also fulfilling my civic duty as a responsible citizen. It's a powerful expression of democracy in action – a voice for change, progress, and the values that define us as a nation. As we approach each election, I am reminded of the profound impact that every vote can have on shaping the future of our country. Whether it's at the local, state, or national level, each election offers us the opportunity to make our voices heard and to stand up for the issues that matter most to us. So let us embrace our role as active participants in the democratic process, and let us never forget the privilege and responsibility that comes with being an American citizen. Together, we can continue to uphold the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality that make our nation great. #ProudAmerican #VotingMatters #CivicDuty 🇺🇸🗳️

The Niagara Movement was an African American civil rights organization founded in 1905 by a group led by W. E. B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter. It was named for the “mighty current” of change the group wanted to effect and Niagara Falls, near Fort Erie, Ontario, was where the first meeting took place on July 11-14, 1905. The Niagara Movement was a call for opposition to racial segregation and disenfranchisement, and it was opposed to policies of accommodation and conciliation promoted by African-American leaders such as Booker T. Washington. During the Reconstruction Era that followed the American Civil War, African Americans had an unprecedented level of civil freedom and civic participation, especially in the South. With the end of Reconstruction, this began to change. Many of the Southern states introduced laws that significantly restricted the political and civil rights of African Americans. All of them passed laws restricting voting rights or making them more difficult to exercise, and passed laws requiring racially segregated facilities. These policies became entrenched when the SCOTUS in 1896 ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that the law requiring “separate but equal” facilities was constitutional. By the turn of the 20th century activists within the African-American community began demanding a more active opposition to racist government policies than the type advocated by DC. Groups of activists sought to gain a larger voice in the debate at the conventions of the National Afro-American Council but were procedurally marginalized because the conventions were dominated by Washington supporters. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

Sixty years ago, LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Today, the activism continues: https://lnkd.in/g2X7wa6s Over a five-year span between 1865 and 1870, following the end of the Civil War, three constitutional amendments were ratified to end slavery (the 13th), make formerly enslaved people U.S. citizens (the 14th) and give all men the right to vote regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (the 15th). In the decades that followed, however, and despite provision that “the Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation,” various states and municipalities passed “Jim Crow” laws, abused poll taxes and literacy tests to limit voting and condoned racially motivated violence to enforce segregation and disenfranchise African Americans. Featured CU expert: Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, a University of Colorado Boulder assistant professor of African American and U.S. history

I've noticed some disheartening behavior lately, with African-American men making derogatory comments about the Democratic Party. It's important to remember that this party represents the majority of low-income, working-class, and middle-class individuals, including our grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Some have mentioned financial gains with the Republicans, but I urge you to consider whether tax cuts and bonuses are worth compromising your values. It's crucial to support a party that fights for all US citizens, especially considering the challenges black men face in society. We must not forget the systemic obstacles that many in our community face, from racial profiling to employment discrimination. It's time to stand together and support leaders representing and uplifting our community. Criticizing without constructive engagement does little to further our collective goals. Let's empower ourselves and our community by encouraging voter registration and engagement in upcoming elections. Together, we can protect our rights, preserve democracy, and secure a better future for all. #Empowerment #CommunityUnity #VoterEngagement #Votebluetosavesamerica 💙

In a historic legal victory, the small town of Newbern, Alabama, has won a lawsuit that restores the fundamental right to vote for its residents. For the first time in decades, the people of Newbern will have their voices heard and their votes counted, thanks to the tireless efforts of Mayor Patrick Braxton and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. For years, the Black vote has been and continues to be, systematically under attack across the United States. This case is a powerful reminder of the importance of voting rights and the ongoing struggle for racial equity and justice in America. It underscores the critical role of legal advocacy and community resilience in ensuring that every citizen has a say in their government. As we celebrate this monumental win, let us continue to champion the cause of voting rights and work towards a more inclusive and democratic society. #VotingRights #JusticePrevails #Leadership #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialJustice Read the full story here: [HuffPost Article](https://lnkd.in/e3p7E2xm)

#OnThisDay in 1869, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote. However, enforced poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory tactics, as well as violence and intimidation targeting Black voters, kept many African Americans disfranchised. The 15th Amendment also sparked debates and division between white and Black suffrage activists. Many white leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, opposed the amendment because it did not ban restrictions based on sex. They argued their status as white women made them morally and intellectually superior and more qualified to vote than Black men. Black women, however, refused to accept either race or sex as defining criteria for voting rights. Most supported the 15th Amendment and voting rights for Black men as an important step toward universal suffrage for all Americans. The 15th Amendment was ratified on February 3, 1870, but the promise of the 15th Amendment would not be fully realized for almost a century—with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, before the majority of African Americans in the South were registered to vote. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/38Pln4G #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory #BlackHistoryMonth 📸 "The first vote" / AW; drawn by A.R. Waud., 1867. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, 2011648984.

Juneteenth is an extremely important holiday for all Americans. As a Central Florida native, I find the story of Moses Norman and the massacre of 30-80 black Ocoee residents on November 2, 1920, as providing crucial local context to the ongoing struggle for equal rights. This tragic event, sparked by Norman’s attempt to exercise his right to vote, is one of many episodes in the long and deadly fight for civil rights faced by black Americans since the Thirteenth Amendment was passed in 1865, shortly after the Civil War. Juneteenth marks a key turning point, but more importantly, it highlights that the struggle for equal rights did not end with the Thirteenth Amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1957, or the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As recently as 2021, nineteen states have enacted voting access restrictions that disproportionately affect people of color. The fight for equality continues today, and Juneteenth serves as a stark reminder that there are still battles ahead to be fought and won.

We're launching our 2024 election memo series, breaking down what we expect the impact of a second Trump or second Biden administration will be on civil rights and civil liberties, and how we're prepared to face them. No matter who is in the White House, we’re ready to use the full force of the ACLU to defend our most fundamental freedoms.

Great way to close out the day of plenary sessions with an insightful and thought-provoking session exploring Latinos and the future of voting and civil rights, including how political illiteracy, misinformation, and voter suppression impact minority participation at the ballot box. A huge thank you to Domingo Garcia, National President of LULAC, Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO TheDream.US, Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF - Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, and Max Sevillia, Senior Vice President of National Affairs Anti-Defamation League, for the in-depth discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Latino voters in 2024. "Voting rights and civil rights are el corazón de LULAC," stated LULAC National President Domingo Garcia. "We’re looking to break down all the silos and barriers that exist in reaching financial success for black and brown communities, added Alphonso David. "It is important for us to understand and harness our political power." As we prepare for this year’s election, these insights will be critical in supporting efforts that ensure that every Latino has the information and access required to participate fully in our democracy. #VotingRights #CivilRights #Democracy2024 #LatinoVoices #LULAC24

Author Charles Blow argues that Black people have a path to changing the laws that affect us by becoming majorities in key voting districts. Read more below