In a comprehensive analysis of the filibuster's historical and contemporary impact on civil rights, it is revealed that the filibuster has been instrumental in obstructing critical legislation aimed at advancing racial justice and protecting voting rights in the United States.
Throughout history, the filibuster has been utilized to suppress the rights of Black and brown Americans. From the 1890s when it was first used to deny civil rights to communities of color, to the 1950s and 1960s when Southern Democrats obstructed landmark civil rights legislation, the filibuster has been a tool of oppression. Despite progress in civil rights, the fight for equality continues for many Americans.
Recent efforts to restrict voting rights, especially targeting communities of color, have intensified following the 2020 election cycle. States have enacted laws making it harder for Americans to cast their ballots, with specific measures aimed at urban areas and communities of color. These actions have widened the racial voting gap and undermined the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The filibuster's role in impeding voting rights legislation is evident in the ongoing obstruction of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the Senate. Despite House approval, the filibuster has been repeatedly used to block these critical bills, reflecting the challenges in overcoming the filibuster's current power.
Reforms in the 1970s have transformed the filibuster into a silent but potent tool, allowing senators to obstruct legislation without actively filibustering. This change, combined with the disproportionate representation in the Senate, gives minority groups of senators significant blocking power.
The filibuster's impact on voting rights is not limited to a specific region but poses a nationwide crisis affecting historically disenfranchised communities across the country. Reforming the filibuster is crucial to restoring trust in Congress and ensuring that the Senate represents the will of the people in a truly democratic manner.
The filibuster's historical and present influence underscores the urgent need for reform to protect voting rights and advance civil rights in the United States.
