Thursday, September 28, 2023

Lifting Up Others


"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."
— Booker T. Washington 
I wish more people would remember this. Too many people only want to tear people down to make themselves feel better. They know that if they can keep people they deem unworthy down, they can stay in power. Republicans are currently doing everything they can to discredit people who cherish equality. They use their political positions to take away the rights of others, especially the right to vote and representation in the government. 

Alabama has been gerrymandering the districts of the legislature and Congress to make sure they remain in power. Thankfully, the federal courts, backed by the Supreme Court, has ordered Alabama to create a second minority majority district. Growing up in Alabama, I lived in the 2nd Congressional district and have also lived in the 7th Congressional district, which has traditionally been the only minority majority district in the state. I am very happy that the courts seem to be ordering that the 2nd Congressional district be redrawn to also be a minority majority district. While I hope to never live in Alabama again, especially in either the 2nd or 7th Congressional districts, I am glad that they are very likely to both be represented by Democrats.

2 comments:

naturgesetz said...

I think it's worth noting that the supposedly partisan Supreme Court ruled against the Alabama Republicans.

Joe said...

You’re right, naturgesetz, it is worth noting. The Alabama Legislature gambled on a partisan SCOTUS backing them on defying the lower court’s order. They gambled and they lost. I hope the same will happen in other states who are facing similar orders. I still think that SCOTUS is leaning heavily to the right, and some members are very partisan (and getting paid/bribed to be so). However, even the most conservative courts can surprise you. Also worth noting, the three judge panel that ruled against Alabama and are forcing redrawn districts on the state consist of two Trump appointees and on Clinton appointee. It is certainly surprising that these courts with conservative majorities are the ones ruling against Alabama. I’ll be honest, I never expected this outcome. I expected the courts to let Alabama get away with it.