mekka okereke 

In my (completely biased!) opinion, the most important free speech issue in a democracy, is the right to vote. In particular, Black folks' right to vote in the US is very important for all humans. It determines whether or not fascists take over the most powerful military the world has ever known, and whether or not the world will take meaningful action on climate change.

But we all act like it's normal that half of the US government openly suppresses Black voting rights.

Dec 7, 2022 at 2:41amWeb
Show threadmekka okereke Dec 7, 2022

If I donate to a politician, US courts all the way up to the supreme court jump up and down to show how this is free speech! Free speech by checkbook.🤑

But actually voting itself? The courts are a little slower to agree that registering to vote should get robust 1st amendment protections.

Make it make sense.

You see why it doesn't make sense, when you look at whose votes get suppressed.

In the US, "free speech" really means, "Let the Nazis talk!"

Show threadmekka okereke Dec 7, 2022

Casting a ballot for a candidate is not considered free speech.

Casting a Benjamin for a candidate is considered free speech.

Any questions?

Show threadMark W. AlexanderDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke
Show threadVoronDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke it makes sense because money owns our politicians not their constituents
Show threadRobynDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke people shouldn’t have to wait 3 hours to vote ANYWHERE and it is deliberate. 2020 one gentleman in GA didn’t vote until 2:30am. It is so wrong!
Show threadCassandrichDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke Thank you for saying this. I hate it so much when folks outside the US act like this is irrelevant noise that doesn't affect them.
Show threadCarrieDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke I live in Mississippi and they do everything in their power here to disenfranchise Black Mississippians.
Show threadErinDec 7, 2022

@mekkaokereke if by "normal" we mean modern vote suppression is entirely consistent with what a certain demographic has been doing since before the founding of the country, then yes it's normal.

Which is why we need to make it easier for everyone to vote.

Show threadJohn MacFarlaneDec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke it’s for sure the most fundamental and important right of all.
Show threadMark Wyner Won’t Comply Dec 7, 2022
@mekkaokereke and tomorrow things could get worse. https://mas.to/@markwyner/109469684361972777
Mark Wyner (@[email protected])

Wednesday is going to be a huge day for voting rights with Moore v Harper. The SCOTUS will review the case and decide if state legislator are essentially allow to redraw district maps without judicial oversight. Approval would basically equate to free reign on gerrymandering. Democracy Docket will provide live updates: https://mas.to/@democracydocket/109468755475192198 #VotingRights #Voting #SCOTUS #MooreVHarper #Gerrymandering

mas.to
Show threadAnthony WilliamsDec 7, 2022

@mekkaokereke
Without the right to vote, it's not a democracy.

It is problematic when anyone is denied the right to vote.

It is a MAJOR problem if the systems around voting rights deny those rights to entire segments of society.

I am saddened when I read about such systematic issues. I hope that by sharing the stories enough people become aware of the issue to make a difference.