Explain It to Me

Weeds Time Machine: The Voting Rights Act

Buckle up for another trip in the Weeds Time Machine! Today, we are going back in time to 1965 to talk about one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in American history: the Voting Rights Act. Once again, its fate is in the hands of the Supreme Court. Professor Atiba R. Ellis walks us through the legislative and judicial history of this landmark policy.

References:
Atiba Ellis 
Brief amici curiae of Boston University Center for Antiracist Research &amp; Professor Atiba R. Ellis
Atiba Ellis: Using Memes to Break Out of Voter Fraud Talk 
The Changing Racial and Ethnic Composition of the U.S. Electorate | Pew Research Center 
Voting Rights Act (1965) | National Archives 

Host:
Jonquilyn Hill

Credits:
Sofi LaLonde, producer
Cristian Ayala, engineer
A.M. Hall, editorial director of talk podcasts

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Explain It To Me is the hotline for all your unanswered questions. Sometimes explanations are hard to find, misinformation is rampant, and those internet searches and AI asks can come up empty. Call 1-800-618-8545 with what’s on your mind, and host Jonquilyn Hill will be your friendly guide to the answers you're looking for — and maybe even the ones you don’t expect. New episodes every Wednesday starting September 18. 
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