In Louisiana v. Callais, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a devastating blow to our democracy, eviscerating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.  After the Court struck down Section 5’s preclearance requirement, Section 2 became one of the nation’s last remaining safeguards for full participation, fair representation and the primary tool for challenging discriminatory voting rules and redistricting plans.

By requiring proof of intent, the Court has made it substantially harder to address discriminatory voting practices or procedures that are built into policy design, even when not explicitly stated.

For places like Greenwood, where pernicious racial violence and deliberately constructed systems have long worked to enforce oppression and erase economic power, this moment is profoundly saddening. Communities across the country that have endured a legacy of racism and discrimination in voting are painfully aware that discriminatory intent is rarely broadcast when systems can produce a wholesale discriminatory result.

At the Greenwood Trust, we understand clearly that civic participation and economic opportunity are deeply intertwined. The policies that determine access to capital, housing, education, infrastructure, and community investment are shaped by democratic representation. When communities are structurally excluded from the democratic process and the ability to elect candidates of their choice, their priorities are less likely to be reflected in the decisions that govern their future.

The right to vote is fundamental to every right, including economic freedom. With one ruling, the Supreme Court has turned a blind eye and a hardened heart to our history, to the long-fought battles, and the sacrifices that made the Voting Rights Act possible.   It has squarely undermined the ability to ensure representation for communities of color.  

Moments like this demand clarity about what is at stake and renewed commitment to ensuring that all communities are seen, heard, and represented.