OPINION:
The recent ruling against race-based gerrymandering is long overdue.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. never advocated for creating voting districts based solely on race. How have public officials ignored his teaching that equality or equal access should be based not on race, but on content and character? Somehow, our Democratic politicians deliberately misconstrued King’s intention.
Barack Obama secured support from a cross-cultural group of voters, so the idea that minorities can only win elections based on gerrymandering districts is flawed. If voters were aware of the economic and congressional failures caused by biased districts, maybe there would be less outrage over Virginia striking down the Democrats’ redistricting plan.
These districts have been so isolated, their share of federal tax revenue has been affected. That revenue has an impact on all every aspect of our lives: law enforcement, education, healthcare and other social services, as well as corporate investments.
Historically, the only individuals who prosper under gerrymandering have been those elected to Congress. They have access to resources and opportunities not available to the general public.
For example, Minnesota redrew its districts to create a congressional district for Somali culture. What followed were reports of the instant millionaire status of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar and the revelation of high levels of public fraud. This should demonstrate for us all the risk of continued gerrymandering.
I lived in a gerrymandered district. What do we have? Few jobs, high crime, low-ranked schools and a complete economic failure.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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