Regressive Supreme Court Majority Dismantles Key Victory of Civil Rights Era in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder

Today the Supreme Court's majority continued its relentless march to restrict civil rights protections and place obstacles before those seeking to promote diversity, and combat discrimination, retaliation and wage theft. Read the Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder decision here, which slashes the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

It appears that a basic question in America is whether the advances of the Civil Rights era 50 years ago are anachronistic today - essentially, whether we have fully realized the goals of the civil rights struggle, the dreams of our nation's founders and heroes.

We have not. In America, people of color remain disproportionately among the poor and disenfranchised, among the socioeconomically depressed. Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans are not represented in proportionate numbers in the highest echelons of business and government, and too many minority-concentrated neighborhoods continue to struggle with violence, lack of educational opportunity, and the grinding cycle of poverty. We still have a lot of work to do to correct America's greatest tragedies, slavery and the Native American genocide. America is the most diverse nation in the world, and our diversity and shared values give us more potential than any other - but only if we move forward together, continuing to pursue the struggle for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.

I am part of a campaign called Civil Rights at 50, led by the Equal Justice Society, which seeks to reflect on the great victories of the civil rights struggle 50 years ago, and create momentum toward continuing the important work of that struggle. I hope you will join us.