60 years since 13 Freedom Riders Rode.
Dear LinkedIn user, connection, or follower,
This month marks 60 years since 13 Freedom Riders--including a young John Lewis--set out on two buses from Washington, DC to challenge the segregation of public transportation.
This month of May 2021 also marks the time in history when states such as Florida, Ohio, Texas are tabling legislation or have already signed into law the most sweeping changes to voting rights, since 60 years ago when those Freedom Riders stood up and stood together to fight for their rights and the rights of others.
What does a state public transportation system that was segregated in only a few states 60 years ago, have to do with the legislation signed into law to protect the voting system integrity have in common you may ask?
I would like to argue one in the same. Allowing the free follow of commerce between states was essential to the growth, prosperity of the country. Commerce was to include the free travel of persons or people (employees,) the courts ruled.
I would further like to add that if the highest courts in the land (state courts and supreme court,) agreed that the term commerce include the free flow of persons, people (employees,) between states was essential for both the benefit of prosperity of the individual landowner and multi-state landowners.
If this free travel of people between states was deemed a benefit of prosperity for the single landowner and multi-state landowners, it should also be deemed essential for the prosperity of the country.
These Freedom Riders 60 years recognized that the free and unrestricted travel for all Americans was essential and a benefit of prosperity not only for the individual American citizen, but an essential element of prosperity for the country as well.
Following the success of these Freedom Rides young Americans such as the future late great congress man John Lewis went on to fight for the free and lawful rights of all Americans to vote.
Next time you hear your elected official in your state saying they're revising/restricting your rights to vote, for the protection of the integrity of the voting system - ASK THEM WTF?? What's the Fear??