Many different feelings are stirred within those who were on Edmund Pettus Bridge on that fateful day – March 7, 1965.  Strong feelings even resonate within many of us who were not there, especially African-Americans, when we think about the price that those who were there paid in their effort to secure the right for all minorities to vote freely and without intimidation or the need to meet conjured up requirements.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this bill into law in August of 1965.  In June of 2013 the United States Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts struck down Section 4(b), the coverage formula, as unconstitutional.  This stripped the Voting Rights Act of any power to control those states that had already demonstrated a willingness to discriminate against minorities and, in essence, opened the door for any state that decided it would establish voting requirements that would have a desperate impact on minority voters to do so without fear of facing consequences.

It was about two months short of 48 years when the Supreme Court rendered its decision that virtually decimated the Voting Rights Act.  Some of those who suffered through those beatings on Selma ‘Bloody Sunday’ on Edmund Pettus Bridge expressed disappointment in this decision during the ‘Bloody Sunday’ 50th Anniversary Commemoration.  According to an article by Phillip Lucas in the Associated Press, “It’s a slap in the face, an insult to all who have given their lives for righteousness sake, Willie White Harris, 70 of Selma said after crossing the bridge once again Sunday.”

Even if Justice Roberts was comfortable with his decision at the time of the Supreme Court’s ruling, years from now when he looks back down through the annals of history will he still be comfortable with it?   Or will he lament it and look upon it as a stain on his legacy?  Although this decision can be mitigated by Congress, I can’t help but to wonder how he will feel about it being a part of the history of the Supreme Court and a key part of his legacy as Chief Justice.

How will he feel if his picture is displayed in history books alongside former President Johnson’s picture with information stating that then President Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act into law?  Then – after the former president’s role is explained, it states that 48 years later with discrimination still rampant, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts presided over the Court that struck down a key portion of what “according to the U.S. Department of Justice is considered to be the most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country.”

U.S. Supreme Court Justices wield a tremendous amount of power.  They have many hard and, oftentimes, gut-wrenching decisions that they must make.  It is easy for people like me and others to look on from the outside and critique and criticize decisions that we disagree with.  I would not want to sit in their chair.

That notwithstanding, I believe that watchfulness and criticism is an inextricable and necessary component of our democratic system of government.  Our watchfulness and ability to critique and criticize should apply to all of those, from the president of our country down to the lowest-level local official, who possess the power to exercise control over us.

Watching, critiquing, criticizing, disagreeing and even becoming angry with our officials – elected or otherwise – is okay.  How we express those emotions and disagreement is what we must control.  We must always remember that whatever we do should be done in a non-violent way; even if it includes breaking the law.

The best and most powerful way to assure that we can bring about change is through our vote.  Far too many of use fail to exercise this hard-won right.  We allow roadblocks and inconveniences that pale in comparison to what our predecessors passed through to secure the right to vote keep us away from the polls.  This must change and it must change now!

So whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent; determine to get beyond all roadblocks and get out and vote.  And always remember, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!

Eulus Dennis