Kamala Harris Blasts Supreme Court Over Voting Rights

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has joined a powerful chorus of Black women leaders in condemning the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority. Following a recent ruling that significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act, Harris is calling for sweeping reforms to counteract what she describes as a ‘back-dooring of racism’ through political decisions.

The Impact of the Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Supreme Court’s April 29 decision in ‘Louisiana v. Callais’ has made it more difficult for Black voters to prove racial discrimination in redistricting cases. This ruling has prompted Republican-led states to swiftly redraw congressional maps, often targeting districts with significant Black populations that were previously protected under Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This move is seen as a direct attempt to dilute the political power of Black communities ahead of the November midterm elections.

Speaking at an emergency virtual meeting hosted by Win with Black Women, Harris emphasized the urgency of the situation. “What they are doing is they are back-dooring racism behind politics to get to this decision and to justify what is happening in particular right now in all the southern states, and this is obviously a time for us to fight,” she stated, addressing the group of Black women leaders and organizers.

Mobilizing Communities and Drawing on History

Harris believes this ruling and the subsequent actions by Republican states will galvanize Black communities nationwide. She shared an anecdote about meeting students at North Carolina A&T University who protested the closure of a campus polling station, seeing it as a sign of fear from those who oppose the growing political power of young voters. “Gen Z, millennials, they’re not having it,” Harris asserted.

Drawing inspiration from the Civil Rights era, Harris reminded the group that organizers and leaders have a ‘playbook’ to guide their resistance. She invoked the legacy of the ancestors, stating, “whose broad shoulders we stand on… show us the way and what a fight looks like.” Harris expressed confidence in the collective power of the community, declaring, “I know the power is ours, and I know we’re not about to let anybody take our power from us.”

Calls for Sweeping Political Reforms

Looking ahead, Harris outlined several bold political reforms that Democrats must consider to counter these challenges. These include serious reforms to the Supreme Court, such as expanding its number of justices, and even abolishing the Electoral College. She also voiced support for granting statehood to Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Furthermore, Harris proposed that if Democrats regain control of the Senate, the Senate Judiciary Committee should implement rules to penalize Supreme Court nominees who provide false testimony. She also called for establishing clear ethics rules for the Supreme Court, which currently faces historically low public approval ratings. Harris urged a ‘fight fire with fire’ approach, emphasizing the need for Democrats to play to win while remaining ethical and moral.

A Fight Worth Having

Concluding her remarks, Harris stressed the importance of recognizing one’s own power and the value of the fight ahead. “When you feel powerless, you are powerless. When you feel powerful, you are powerful. We are powerful,” she declared. While acknowledging the increased difficulty of the struggle, she expressed readiness for the fight, knowing what is at stake and that the cause is worth defending.