Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony: The Real Epidemic – Dissecting Voting Rights Erosion in Texas

Sixty years ago, on March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed Congress, stating, “At times history and fate meet… to shape a turning point in a man’s unyielding search for freedom.” This reflection followed “Bloody Sunday,” March 7, when peaceful civil rights advocates were violently confronted while marching for voting rights across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This pivotal event galvanized efforts leading to the Voting Rights Act's passage in 1965. Recently, in Texas, we witness another significant confrontation over voting rights. As emphasized by Demetria McCain from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, threats against voting rights, particularly for Black and minority communities, are intensifying. The issue transcends Texas, striking at the heart of American democracy. The ongoing gerrymandering and proposed legislation risk diluting the electorate’s voice. To combat this democratic erosion, strong, cohesive action must be taken. Let us heed Johnson’s words, recognizing that “tomorrow is ours to win or lose”—and choose to win.