| gust 6, 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed | | | | million Americans cast their vote for the next |
| one of the most important pieces of legislation in | | | | commander-in-chief in November 2008, an eight |
| America’s history. For the first time, more | | | | percent increase from the previous election in |
| than 2.5 million African Americans were able to | | | | 2004. Obama received a total of 53 percent of |
| cast their ballots in elections without fear, | | | | the vote, which was a significant percentage |
| intimidation or physical harm. The Voting Rights | | | | considering the much closer elections in 2000 and |
| Act abolished literacy tests, poll taxes, | | | | 2004. |
| grandfather clauses and all other unnecessary | | | | African Americans constituted 13 percent of |
| requirements that had prevented African | | | | voters, up from 11 percent in 2004, while |
| Americans from having their voices heard in | | | | Hispanics made up nine percent of voters, a one |
| American politics. | | | | percent increase from the previous presidential |
| However in 1965, very few Americans could | | | | election. Furthermore, 95 percent of Americans |
| foresee the day when a person, who would have | | | | cast their ballot for President-elect Obama and 67 |
| been unable to vote prior to the Voting Rights | | | | percent of Hispanics voted for the former |
| Act, would receive enough votes to be elected to | | | | senator from Illinois. Most impressively, Obama |
| the world’s highest office in a country | | | | was able to win 43 percent of the White vote, |
| where African Americans are still very much in | | | | even though Democrat John Kerry was only able |
| the minority. As a result of Barack | | | | to win over 41 percent of the White vote four |
| Obama’s election as the 44th President of | | | | years earlier. |
| the United States, many have questioned the | | | | Nevertheless, White voters were the only |
| need for certain provisions of the Voting Rights | | | | demographic that Obama was not able to win |
| Act. The Northwest Austin (Texas) Municipal Utility | | | | majority support. Furthermore, Obama could only |
| District Number One, a government board | | | | muster support from 10 percent of White voters |
| dedicated to providing local services to | | | | in Alabama. In addition, many Southern White |
| approximately 3,500 people, has recently appealed | | | | Democrats stated that they would support |
| to the United States Supreme Court to overturn | | | | Republican John McCain because they could not |
| Section 5 of the act, calling it “the most | | | | bring themselves to vote for an African American |
| federally invasive law in existence.” | | | | for president. |
| “The elephant in the room is what to | | | | Consequently, Obama was forced to obtain |
| make of the Obama election,” said | | | | secret service protection earlier than any other |
| Columbia law professor Nathaniel Persily. | | | | presidential candidate in history because of |
| “Does the election of the first African | | | | assassination threats. According to telegraph.co.uk, |
| American president undermine the central | | | | the secret service has investigated over 500 |
| justification for parts of the Voting Rights | | | | death threats against the future president. |
| Act?” | | | | Prior to accepting the Democratic nomination for |
| In April, the U.S. Supreme Court will review a | | | | president, Tharin Gartrel and Nathan Johnson |
| lower court ruling that upheld Section 5 of the | | | | were arrested in Denver for making assassination |
| Voting Rights Act, which requires all or parts of | | | | threats towards Obama during the Democratic |
| 16 states with a history of racism, to receive | | | | National Convention. According to CBS station |
| approval before implementing any changes in | | | | KCNC-TV, one suspect said they were |
| election procedures. States affected entirely | | | | “going to shoot Obama from a high |
| include Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, | | | | vantage point using a rifle … sighted at 750 |
| Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. States | | | | yards.” |
| partially affected include California, Florida, Michigan, | | | | However, in spite of the conflicting evidence of |
| New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Virginia | | | | racial advancement, America’s recent |
| and South Dakota. | | | | election of President-elect Obama has proven that |
| However, the local Texas government at the | | | | this country has what it takes to unify despite |
| heart of this litigation argues that they have no | | | | racial differences. The struggles that those from |
| history of racial discrimination and many believe | | | | the Civil Rights era endured led to such |
| that America no longer needs such legislation in a | | | | monumental achievements as the Voting Rights |
| “post-racial society.” | | | | Act and the historic presidential election of 2008. |
| But what does Obama’s election actually | | | | But it remains to be seen if this is proof of a |
| imply? Has America completely overcome its | | | | permanent post-racial society or if race will |
| racist past or is racism still an obstacle to true | | | | continue play a factor and legislation such as the |
| equality for people of color? | | | | Voting Rights Act is necessary to ensure equality. |
| According to defendersonline.org, a whopping 131 | | | | |