Voting Rights

The fight for civil rights wasn’t just waged in the streets, it was built in classrooms led by unsung heroes. In this episode Rick speaks with author Elaine Weiss about her new book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the little-known history of citizenship schools—grassroots educational programs in the 1950s and 60s that empowered Black Americans to pass literacy tests, register to vote, and fight systemic oppression. Weiss sheds light on the broader civil rights movement, the institutional barriers activists faced, and the enduring importance of civic education in today’s political landscape. Elaine's book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement, available now.

Kristin Brey and Maya May ask "What will it take for us to survive the next four years?" Asking yourself the same question? Catch up now on their conversation about the broligarchy, Wisconsin's hugely consequential upcoming Supreme Court election, and why the SAFE Act proposes to do anything but keep women in America safe.

When 2/3 of the polls being released are red waving... and the media's lapping it up... we get it. But take it from Trippi - why 40 years of experience says everyone needs to chill out. The panic isn't just premature, it's ridiculous. And Alex dives into the data showing the race is the same as it's been for weeks - and it's moving in one direction. And what's Joe looking at that others might have missed?

With less than 5 weeks to go, Joe and Alex breakdown where the race stands. How things like field strategy, early voting, and new voter registration numbers can make a huge difference in a campaign that will be won on the margins. What does Jack Smith's bombshell evidence do to change the race? What about Tim Walz calling out JD Vance about 2020? All of it matters.

Rick Wilson speaks with Lauren Kunis, the Executive Director of VoteRiders, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to voting rights. VoteRiders focuses on voter ID assistance, offering free direct help to eligible voters and running voter education programs across the country. With 38 states now enforcing voter ID laws, these regulations disproportionately impact underrepresented groups, including young people, Black and Hispanic voters, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. VoteRiders aims to ensure that voter ID laws do not disenfranchise eligible voters and that everyone has access to the ballot box.

David Pepper and Gevin Reynolds write, "Thanks to a toxic brew of partisan gerrymandering, intense voter suppression, dark money, and far too many uncontested races, many MAGA-controlled states have stopped resembling functioning democracies at all."

Teri Kanefield writes: "While there were always activists and idealists who believed that a country that boasted of rule by people should give all people a voice, the changes were also driven by self-interests." And it's self-interests working today to silence those voices.

The "right to vote" is constantly evolving...and there is no affirmative Constitutional right to vote (did you know that?). Teri Kanefield walks us through the evolution of democracy and voting rights from a historical perspective.

We all have a role to place in maintaining, strengthening, and participating in our democracy. David Pepper stresses the significance of the Voting Rights Act and urges on current and expanded efforts to protect and expand democracy.

Affirming A Hunch on Education Thuggery

Given the massive disconnect between what the pundits and polls predict and what has happened through 2023, Democrats have no reason to be discouraged this time around. Republicans? If they're not worried yet, they should be.

We Have Important Work to Do, Right Now, in Pennsylvania

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Sherrilyn Ifill. Sherrilyn is a lawyer and author and former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Together, they discuss America's historical issues with voting rights, predominantly in African American communities.

Delve into the impact of politics and democracy on the individual's life and witness the erosion of rights that threatens to erase an entire generation from history. An insightful examination of the past and its resonance with the present.

Stacey Abrams talks about her new book, Rogue Justice, and the systems that influence American life from the shadows.

Mila Atmos is the host of Future Hindsight, a podcast about civic engagement, providing action items to better participate in our democracy. In this episode, Mila discusses voter engagement and persuasion.

A professor at a Christian college included a quote on her writing course syllabus: "The refusal to act in the midst of injustice is itself an act of injustice." It got her fired, and her story isn't unique.

The Illinois Billionaire Trying To Buy Ohio