Voting: A Mindful Discussions Recap

Taking a moment to dissect the long history of Black voting rights in America.

On our October 1 Mindful Discussion, Sabrina Boykin unpacked the history of Black voting in America. In a very timely and important conversation, she touched on things like literacy tests, early voting methods and laws, and the continuing fight against voter suppression. In a season of strong political polarization and efforts by certain states to suppress voters, this history is more important than ever.

So, how far has voting come in the United States? A long way, some argue—but not long enough.

Protestors demanding voting rights in the 1960s.

In the early 1900s, citizens voted with lever voting machines, which worked by flipping a lever that selected either Democratic or Republican candidates. At this time in the U.S., voting was restricted to white men; voting machines were invented before the suffrage movement and the civil rights movement. The grandfather clause was also enforced in this era; it stated that if your grandfather could not vote, you could not either. The rule directly targeted Black American men, who were systematically denied the right to vote due to racist legal provisions. The grandfather clause was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1915. Five years later, during the first wave of feminism, white women were granted the right to vote in 1920; however, citizens of color were still denied such a privilege.

Thirty years later, in the 1960s, Black citizens, aware of their exclusion from voting rights, decided to take action. The famous civil rights movement was born, and people took to the streets to demand their long-overdue rights.

A woman carries a sign during a voting rights protest.

Along the way to voting rights, they had several obstacles to overcome. Among the most blatant forms of voter suppression were the literacy tests given to Black citizens who wanted to vote. They were designed to be extremely difficult, with purposefully deceiving and irrelevant questions. Here are three example questions from a literacy test administered circa 1963. See if you can answer them.

1. How many seeds are in a watermelon?

2. How may the county seat be changed under the constitution of your state?

3. How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?

How did you do? Did you get all of them right?

It is important to bear in mind that if citizens got an answer wrong, they failed the test and could not vote. With this rule, the motives for these tests are clear: the government was trying to suppress the Black vote by preventing them from passing the literacy tests. Further, Black people's lack of access to a quality education prevented them from gaining the knowledge necessary to pass these tests. Here, we see a systematic approach to ensuring that people of color are unable to exercise their full rights.

These barriers are built into the system.

It is important to recognize the impact of voter suppression and the legacy it leaves on America. In an election season, we should be especially aware of the barriers people continue to face. Today, we see further examples of educational and voter suppression; in Florida, several books about the Black experience in America have been banned. In Georgia, state lawmakers introduced legislation that challenges voter eligibility and prevents volunteers from handing out water or snacks in long lines at the polls. We should call out these injustices and question why they exist. Who benefits from these laws, and who is pushed down by these laws?

At the root of these issues is power. We must ask ourselves, Who has the power to make a change with their vote? Who holds this power? Who is denied this power?

When we ask and answer these questions, we will find solutions to the inequality that still plagues our country. There is still work to be done. It is time to take a stand against voter suppression because everyone has the right, privilege, and duty to vote in this country.

Always Be Mindful of your impact, Be Purposeful in what you do, and Be Positive in what you say.

Best,

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