The Texas maps offer perhaps the most brazen effort in the US so far this year to draw new district lines to benefit one political party, a practice called gerrymandering. The proposed congressional map would blunt growing Democratic strength in the Texas suburbs. The map also clearly blunts the growing political strength of minorities in Texas. Over the last decade, the Hispanic population has grown by nearly 2 million people in the state, while the white population increased by about 187,000 people. Ninety-five per cent of the state’s population growth over the last decade has come from minorities, but the proposed congressional map actually lowers the number of districts in the state where non-white people comprise a majority. Source: The Guardian, 10/19/21

The Latino population in Texas is driving demographic growth in our state, representing 95% of total growth. Maps reflecting white voting majorities in half of all proposed congressional districts simply disenfranchise this community. The problem here, of course, is that greater concern for whites plays out in every arena of public policy, impacting the well-being of our state, as a whole.

Is it simply whites against people of color? I don’t think so. This is about power, who has it and refuses to share it. But isn’t that what we teach our children? It’s important to engage in turn-taking, to give up power, use it responsibly, then give it back when it’s not your turn.

But in Texas, that’s a problem. It remains a problem:

For black and Hispanic Texans, however, the effects will be felt at least twice more. “Those voters must return to the polls in 2018 and 2020 with the knowledge that their ability to exercise meaningfully their right to vote has been burdened by the manipulation of district lines specifically designed to target their communities and minimize their political will,” Sotomayor wrote. In other words, the Republicans’ gambit worked. Source: New Republic

If you’re thinking, that’s not right…well, consider this piece:

In a state where more than 60% of the residents are people of color, the Texas Legislature is proposing maps where white people have voting majorities in 50% of the congressional districts.

That’s not representative.

Source: Texas Tribune, 09/30/21 

It’s not a surprise, but it makes a clear point. The Texas Republican legislature is proving the point of those who say, “Texas district lines reflect its efforts to enshrine systemic racism.” Do you agree?

Source: What Racism Looks Like

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