articles for feb 16

 Oliver Moreno

Social movements 

MW 3:30-4:45

Recently I’ve been hearing on the news about people not being able to vote. From Jail to Law School: Jim Crow-Era Law Bars Florida Man from Voting, Taking Bar, Serving on Jury is an article discusses attorney General Eric Holder is advising the repeal of state laws that prohibit formerly incarcerated people from being able to vote. If general Eric Holder successes this action will result in restoring the right to vote to closely six million people. A huge problem that is stopping holder is the federal government doesn’t have the power to force states to change their voting laws. Advocates and civil rights groups are helping Holder.  A notable fan of Eric Holder is Desmond Meade; he’s the president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Meade

Is one of more than 1.3 million citizens in the state of Florida who don’t have the right to vote due to prior felony convictions. Desmond Meade had to overcome addiction to drugs and homelessness. Now he is finishing up a law degree, but like the right to vote. Florida laws prohibit Meade from taking the bar exam and being able to practice law. Despite the progress many states, felony disenfranchisement laws are still on the books.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jim    

 

In the article Bill Moyers on Dark Money, the Attack on Voting Rights & How Racism Stills Drives Our Politics well-known broadcaster Bill Moyers discusses his latest investigation. Moyers talks about the influence of large, untraceable political donations a.k.a. “dark money” have become the greatest danger to democracy in the United States. According to Moyers democracy is supposed to check the excess of private power and private greed, and if money stops that equilibrium, we as a society are in trouble. While being interviewed Moyers discuses voting rights. In North Carolina African American are restricted. The Juice department is questioning North Carolina voting, but North Carolina voting laws are very restrictive. North Carolina laws are designed to perpetuate the Republican rule and make it harder for the young, and the elderly.

Both articles deal with African Americans are being restricted from being able to vote. It was interesting to read the laws that the State of North Carolina has. For example, learning about how citizens with prior felon don’t have the right to vote. In the United States some laws that should be abolished. Not letting citizens with a felony charges the right to vote should be abolish.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/27/bill_moyers_on_dark_money_the