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President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of1965 into law on Aug. 6, 1965. The land
mark legislation remade politics in the southern United States by ensuring that members of minori
ty groups could not be prohibited from voting. The U.S. Department of Justice says on its website that
the act “has been called the single most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever passed by Congress. ”
Dr. Kendra A. King Momon, a professor of politics at Oglethorpe University, and U.S. Rep. John
Lewis (D-Atlanta), who as a civil rights activist played an important role in events leading to the pas
sage of the legislation, offer their insights on the Voting Rights Act’s 50th anniversary.
Reflect yes, but work si needs to be done
As we approach 50 years since the passing of the historic
and landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, I believe it remains
the best of times and the worst of times for African Ameri
cans in the U.S.
It is the best of times in that over the past 50 years an un
precedented number of African Americans have been elected
to local, state and national office.
It is the best of times in that African Americans are being
recognized on and off the field for their immeasurable eco
nomic, educational, political, social and cultural contribu
tions to the world house.
And, it is the best of times as cities like Atlanta - with a
strong African American populous - continues to draw and at
tract international acclaim, businesses and residents.
It is the worst of times, however, as 50 years after the pas
sage of the Voting Rights Act, African Americans have not
been fully protected, nor have their rights been fully extended.
It is the worst of times as black churches are being burned
down and black lives are being shot down in houses of wor
ship.
And, it is the worst of times as racial, economic, social
and cultural antipathy rises exponentially both here and
abroad.
Still, I remain hopeful that positive redress will abound.
In my book “African American Politics,” I detail the tenuous
journey of African Americans to secure the right to vote.
From the violence-filled “Bloody Sunday” attack on many,
including two of our state’s beloved
sons — U.S. Rep. John Lewis and
Rev. C. T. Vivian - to Dr. Martin
L. King Jr.’s “Give Us The Ballot”
speech — the past 50 have not been
an easy course of navigation.
Yet, the affects and effects of
these collective efforts are undeni
able. We are a better people and a
better nation because of the cour
age our known and unknown lead
ers had to rewrite the law to em
power those previously excluded
due to xenophobia and man-made
laws.
As we take time to reflect on this
momentous occasion, I humbly submit that the time is ripe
for a recommitment to the eradication of extensions of the
law and full fledge Voting Rights for all of America’s citizens.
Moreover, I humbly submit that the time is ripe to look be
yond voting rights to economic rights for the “least of Amer
ica’s children.”
Dr. Kendra A. King Momon is an associate professor of poli
tics in the division of history, politics and international studies at
Oglethorpe University. She also is director of the Rich Foundation
Urban Leadership Program.
DR. KENDRA A.
KING MOMON
GUEST COLUMN
Rep. John Lewis: Repair the Voting Rights Act
Across the country, there is a deliberate, systematic attempt
to make it harder and more difficult for the disabled, students,
seniors, minorities, poor and rural voters to participate in the
democratic process. We must not let that happen.
That is why we need to repair and restore the Voting Rights
Act now more than ever before. The burden should not be
placed on citizens whose rights are violated to mount their
own defense.
As leaders of this Congress, we have the power to change
that. We can make access to the ballot box more simple and
more fair. The right to vote is the most powerful, nonviolent
tool we have in a democratic society.
My own mother, father, grandparents and great-grandpar
ents could not register to vote. My father died before he was
ever able to cast a vote in this country. We must not slip back
to that dark past. We have to throw off the burden of fear, and
continue to move forward.
As leaders of this country, we
have a moral obligation to repair
the Voting Rights Act. It is our
duty in a democratic society to
open up the political process and
let every citizen have a say in their
own future.
That is something every Ameri
can and all of us here in the Con
gress can agree upon. We must do
this now, and we must do it on our
watch. It is what the people of this
country deserve. Thank you.
U.S. REP.
JOHN LEWIS
U.S. Rep. John Lewis represents
the Georgia’s Fifth District, which in
cludes portions of Buckhead and Brookhaven.
GUEST COLUMN
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