What’s your issue and why does it matter?
As stated in my last Civics blog, I want to center my Issue Guide on minorities slowing their voting rights due to changes made to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the Supreme Court recently. Although the changes happened two years ago, southern states are now reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision with action that was once prohibited by the act itself. These changes in the act affect millions of people in the south, most specifically minorities and lower class.
Who is the audience?
I want my issue guide to appeal to Congressmen and the general public. Both have the power to protest the changes made in the act. Congressmen can redraft the act, while the general public can raise awareness about the subject and urge for a change to their leaders.
What do you want your audience to do about it?
After learning about the importance of the Act adjustment, I would encourage people to form organizations and defend their rights. With these organizations, they could approach their local leaders and ask for additions to the act that will benefit their rights. Lawmakers could read the guide and feel compelled to restore the act back to its original state.
Provide two pieces of evidence demonstrating the exigence
- Liptak, Adam. “Supreme Court Invalidates Key Part of Voting Rights Act.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 25 June 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/supreme-court-ruling.html?_r=0>.
- Reilly, Ryan. “Voting Rights Act Section 4 Struck Down By Supreme Court.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/voting-rights-act-supreme-court_n_3429810.html>.
Both of these articles discuss the implications with the changes the supreme court have made and how it effect minorities in the south.
Provide two pieces of evidence that would demonstrate the benefits of your recommendations
- Treible, Judy. Voting Rights Act State. Digital image. Pintrest. 1 June 2013. Web.
- Willison, Randall. The Voting Rights Act Is Still Needrf. Digital image. Naacpidf. 1 June 2014. Web.
Both of these sources ate infographics that urge the general public to defend their rights. The first source is from a social media called pointers where people share images. The infographic reveals which southern states have a history of discriminating voting practices and how they now considered “free” to do what they please. The picture was posted by an organization for restoring the original act. Their organization is one suggestion I made in urging the general public to do something. The second source is is also an infographic that encourages the public to write to they congressmen in also restoring the act. It raises awareness to the changes made within the act as well,
Other ideas?
- Women’s rights with abortion
- the drinking age reduced to 18 nationally
Hi Camille–
It’s an issue brief, not a guide … 🙂 remember the guide was in the last assignment. I think your exigence could be clearer. When you say “slowing” their voting rights … what do you mean?
I see you’ve included sources there, but I would have liked to have seen actual evidence in addition to the sources. I would have also liked to see the infographics! Regarding what you want your audience to do … think ahead and see what might work for when you do the advocacy project. I like that your initial audience are policy makers, but the public would be interested too.