Thinking About Voting Rights
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editors' views or any agency, organization, or employer. Based on my research and knowledge, my statements are in good faith and are only for information purposes.
On July 25th, 2021, we lost Robert Parris "Bob" Moses, a pioneer in the fight for voting and civil rights. I'm thinking about him today because of his work in my hometown, McComb, MS. In 1961, Bob Moses, a Harvard graduate teaching in New York, ventured to Mississippi to join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's (SNCC) fight for Civil Rights. He arrived in my McComb in July of 1961, where he and the local NAACP President, CC Bryant, led efforts to get black people registered to vote in the tri-county area, Pike, Amite, and Walthall counties. These efforts led to violent responses from those like the local Ku Klux Klan (KKK), who did not want Black people voting.
On August 15th, 1961, escorted by the civil rights activist Bob Moses, Miss Birdie Lee Walker, her sister, and a neighbor walked into a Liberty Mississippi courthouse to register to vote. Walker reports that as they registered, a crowd of White people gathered around and began whispering. The three were allowed to register, but their car was followed and pulled over when they drove off. Bob Moses was arrested and beaten that evening, and the FBI visited Walker's home and questioned them about what happened. Their registering to vote caused a flurry of violence and revengeful responses up to and including murder. It was so violent that SNCC pulled out of the area in December so that things could cool down.
The local people continued to fight, though, and after 13 black homes, businesses and churches were bombed one night in 1964, federal authorities had to step in.
As you read this, you may think that this has nothing to do with you, but there are attempts to pass laws to restrict voting rights in almost every state in the United States. According to the Voting Rights Lab in Michigan, Republican legislatures claim that these laws will help build voter integrity and limit fraud. Still, data and investigations have shown no evidence of fraud. Yet, since February, several bills have been introduced that will limit voting rights in Michigan. Here is a short list of some anti-voter legislation from the Secretary of State:
• "SB 285 -- Limits voting by mail to those fortunate enough to own or have access to a copy machine, as it requires a photocopy of ID to be included with mailed absentee applications. In-person requests would require showing ID.
• SB 286 -- Bans use of drop boxes on Election Day when they are most needed. (Ban starts at 5 p.m. the night before.)
• SB 287 -- Bans prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes.
• SB 308 -- Requires overly specific and restrictive signature verification rules.
• SB 309 -- Gives challengers stronger protections than poll workers to lengthen voting lines and enable more improper challenges that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
• SB 310 -- Prohibits the Secretary of State from sending unsolicited absentee ballot applications or directly linking to the application on the Department of State website." You might also be thinking that the level of violence shown in the 1960s has passed. However, the violence on January 6th during the attempted insurrection was about voting and Trump supporter being angry because their candidate didn't win.
The loss of Bob Moses should be a reminder to us all that many people fought and died for us to have the right to vote.
The Black people who risked everything to vote in the 1960s understood that voting is an essential part of our ability to be represented and have a voice in what happens in our community.
When people are willing to destroy, murder, and invade the very Capitol of the United States because of an election, it is evidence of the power of our vote. Let's learn about these attempts to restrict our voting and, in turn, limit their ability to pass them. Contact your representatives and tell them to block any anti-voter legislation and support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library
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