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Three teen girls smiling and looking at camera. Racial Equity & Social Justice challenge logo in bottom-left corner.
WEEK 1: VOTING
Today's topic: The history of voter suppression
Today, we are looking at the history of voter suppression and how people of color were systemically kept from the ballot box, as well as the challenges they had to overcome in order to exercise their right to vote. Today's activities will provide much-needed context for tomorrow's challenge, which will show how voter suppression has changed over time and how it is disenfranchising marginalized communities today.
WE CHALLENGE YOU TO TAKE...
15 minutes
From the 1890's to the 1960's literacy tests were designed to disenfranchise people of color from voting (white men were exempt). Print out and try to complete the literacy test found in the article. Be sure to set a timer before you start, you would have been given 10 minutes to finish.
View this interactive timeline of the history of the Voting Rights Act and see how access to the vote has been expanded and restricted over time.
Read this article highlighting the role that the Voting Rights Act played in protecting Asian Americans' voting rights. Until 1952, federal policy barred immigrants of Asian descent from becoming U.S. citizens and having access to the vote.
ACT | VOTING WEEK
Level I: Complete the 2020 census.
Level II: Register to vote in the 2020 general election or help someone else to register.
Level III: Volunteer with Rock the Vote and help register new voters.
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YWCA St. Paul is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA St. Paul is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.