SUMMARY
Delivering a harsh rebuke of Alabama’s lawmakers, federal judges again struck down the state’s congressional map. After being ordered to create a second majority Black district, Republicans in the state chose to defy the U.S. Supreme Court. Maps in Florida, Louisiana and Georgia have also been challenged for diluting the power of Black voters.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Where is a trial going on right now that is described in this story?
- Which States, other than Alabama, have all been challenged for diluting the power of Black voters?
- Why might the mapmaking process potentially be paused?
- Who chose to defy the Supreme Court?
- What could potentially flip the vote of Justice Kavanaugh?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How do you think Congressional districts should be determined? Who should get to decide, and how?
News analysis: How can you find out more about potential redistricting issues?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Explore the history of voting rights for Black citizens in Alabama. Why has the state clashed before with Federal courts and executive government? You can start with this story.
It's important to get a diverse news diet. Watch progressive TYT's coverage of the Alabama issue which also includes a mainstream media CNN segment.
*What do political commentators and journalists like Ana Kasparian and Cenk Uygur bring to your understanding of this story that a straight news story may not?
*Invention Education: Do you agree with how we draw districts in America, allowing politicians to draw the lines? (see 6m:45s) Come up with your own inventive solution! What are other ways can we draw new districts? Could AI (artificial intelligence) be helpful in this case? See this TechCrunch article!
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