The Voting Rights Act Turns 60 as America Reflects on Progress and Setbacks

Sixty years post the enactment of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, Black Americans are encountering diminished progress while battling previously secured rights. This perspective echoes among advocates dedicated to ensuring that Black citizens can exercise their fundamental voting rights. They criticize a current administration that often perceives diversity as a constitutional threat amidst a seemingly perilous political landscape.“The power dynamics have shifted,” remarked Cornell William Brooks, former NAACP president and civil rights advocate. “We find ourselves re-litigating established laws while striving to secure victories believed to be attained,” he stated. The Voting Rights Act was established after relentless resistance, including the violent protests like “Bloody Sunday” in Selma. Following a significant Supreme Court ruling in 2013 that weakened the Act, states passed numerous restrictive voting laws, complicating voting access for vulnerable demographics. Despite setbacks, former aides to U.S. Rep. John Lewis stress the importance of perseverance and unity for future challenges. Young voters, too, express a duty to uphold their ancestors' legacy through informed participation at the polls.