Historical Perspective on Voting Rights

Jun 28, 2024

Event Summary

Awareness Campaign for Missing Women

  • Context: A community effort focusing on raising awareness about missing women, specifically in Oklahoma where there are 121 reported cases related to sex trafficking.
  • Objective: To campaign for missing people, especially Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans, by circulating flyers and actively searching in neighborhoods.

Organization: Israel United in Christ

  • Stance: Emphasis on being a non-violent, Bible-based movement. No affiliation with any other Israelite groups.
  • Mission: Prevent any acts of violence and encourage contacting authorities if there are any potential threats.

Precept Upon Precept Show

Hosts and Introductions

  • Welcome to another show. Hosts: Captain Shem, Officer Matthew, Officer Mikhail, Officer Solomon, and Officer Micah.
  • Main Topic: Why voting is wrong for the Israelites, framed historically starting from 1865.

Historical Context on Voting Rights for Black Americans

Key Historical Points

  1. Lyndon Johnson's Role: References were made to a video meant to explain policy changes and historical context; Civil Rights Act of 1866 was key.
  2. Reconstruction Era:
    • Post-Civil War, a period known for promising citizenship and equal rights for all, particularly granting Black men the right to vote with the 14th and 15th Amendments.
    • Remarkable Achievements: Over 2,000 Black officeholders served at every level of government.
  3. Challenges and Setbacks:
    • Despite initial progress, Southern states implemented Black Codes and Pig Laws to restrict freedoms of African Americans, essentially leading to a systemic rollback of rights.
    • The federal government enacted Enforcement Acts to try to combat the infringement of Black rights.

The Systematic Rollback of Black Political Presence

  1. Black Codes and Pig Laws:
    • Introduced to heavily penalize small infractions and create crime out of unemployment, reiterating the systemic oppression even after slavery ended.
  2. Era of Disappearance:
    • From significant political presence to extreme reduction by 1900 due to KKK actions and systematic legal restrictions.

Contemporary Context

  1. Voting Rights Act of 1965: Enacted to restore and assure voting rights that were systematically suppressed despite being constitutionally granted a century earlier.
  2. Lyndon Johnson: Key figure in signing this act, which was influenced by international pressure and televised civil rights struggles.

Problem with Voting System Today

Electoral System

  • Disillusionment with Popular Vote: Two of the last three presidents (Donald Trump and George W. Bush) were elected without winning the popular vote. Highlights a fundamental flaw where popular vote does not directly elect the president.
  • Electoral College: Americans vote for electors who then form the electoral college to select the president, showing indirect influence of individual votes.

Current Political Climate

  • Kamala Harris and Joe Biden:
    • Harris's controversial track record, including refusal to prosecute officers in high-profile cases and her early contribution to the enforcement of same-sex marriage laws, raises concerns among activists.
    • Despite her recent nomination as VP, skepticism remains on policy influence and representation of minority interests.

Advocacy Campaigns and Community Efforts

  • Proactive Measures: Community efforts to raise awareness, especially around high-risk groups and missing persons cases.
  • Continuous Education and Engagement: Emphasize the need for socially informed movements and community education about historical context and contemporary political affairs.

Conclusion & Takeaways

  • Solidarity in understanding historical context of voting rights and ongoing systemic efforts against minority communities.
  • Continued emphasis on community-driven awareness and action to combat social injustices.
  • Encouragement for informed participation and not just superficial engagement in the political process.

Notes created in the context of an activist's campaign and historical discussion on voting rights.