Addressing Racial & Economic Justice in the Face of a Republican Supermajority

Stephen J. Sills, PhD. Senior Vice President, Research, Policy, & Impact Center

In recent years, the political landscape in several states has shifted. This week, North Carolina rejoins the list of states where Republicans have gained supermajorities in state legislatures. This development occurred when Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, a former teacher and school administrator, switched from the Democratic to Republican parties in a surprise announcement. Cotham, who previously served in the legislature from 2007-2016 and had only just returned to the position this January, had already sided with Republicans on several crucial issues, while almost all other Democrats voted in the opposite direction. The switch raises concerns about the implications of such a political climate for policies related to racial and economic justice, as well as for non-profits working to address these critical issues. The need for a concerted effort to counteract potential setbacks is more urgent than ever.

A Republican supermajority often entails policy priorities that emphasize reduced government intervention, tax cuts, and deregulation. This shift in focus can lead to decreased funding for social programs aimed at addressing racial and economic disparities, resulting in a widening gap between marginalized communities and their more privileged counterparts.

For instance, the state of Alabama, with its Republican-controlled legislature, has seen significant cuts to social safety net programs that disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations. Likewise, voting rights and redistricting policies implemented by Republican legislatures have, at times, resulted in the restriction of voting access for minorities and extreme racial gerrymandering of electoral maps. In addition, efforts to address racial disparities within the criminal justice system may face roadblocks as Republican lawmakers often prioritize stricter law enforcement policies over systemic reforms. For example, in Florida, a Republican-dominated state legislature proposed legislation that would increase penalties for protesters, potentially discouraging public demonstrations against racial injustice.

A notable example of the repression of minorities by a Republican supermajority is North Carolina's 2013 voter ID law, that imposed strict voter identification requirements for individuals to cast their ballots in the state. The law's implications for racial justice were significant, as it disproportionately affected African American and Latino voters. Critics of the law argued that it placed undue burdens on minority, low-income, and elderly voters, who were less likely to possess the required forms of ID or face challenges in obtaining them. These groups were also more likely to rely on same-day registration and early voting options, which were eliminated or curtailed by the law. In July 2016, a federal appeals court struck down the law, ruling that it was enacted "with discriminatory intent" and targeted African American voters "with almost surgical precision."

Since the federal appeals court struck down the 2013 North Carolina voter ID law, Republicans in the state have continued to pursue measures that critics argue disproportionately affect minority voters. For example in 2018, North Carolina Republicans pushed for a state constitutional amendment to require a photo ID to vote. The amendment was approved by voters though it was then blocked by a federal judge citing concerns about its discriminatory impact on African American and Native American voters. North Carolina has also been a focal point for legal battles over partisan and racial gerrymandering, with Republicans accused of drawing voting districts to dilute the power of minority voters and gain an electoral advantage. While courts have struck down multiple redistricting plans due to racial bias, the process continues to be contentious, with potential impacts on minority representation and voting power.

We have been here before. In 2013, North Carolina's Republican-led state legislature enacted significant budget cuts that disproportionately affected nonprofits serving minorities and women. These cuts were part of broader austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending. However, the impact of these cuts was felt acutely by organizations that provided essential services and resources to marginalized communities.

Government funding for social programs and grants to organizations serving minorities will become increasingly scarce under the Republican Supermajority. Moreover, collaboration with government entities on policy development and implementation may prove more difficult, necessitating the exploration of alternative partnerships with other organizations or local governments that share their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals. Civil rights organizations may need to rely more heavily on private donations and alternative funding sources. Social justice advocates will need to adapt their strategies and develop innovative approaches to address racial and economic disparities. Those working in the realm of racial and economic justice must confront the Republican challenge head-on.

The fight for racial and economic justice is more pressing than ever, and non-profits must rise to the challenge by remaining vigilant, adaptive, and collaborative in their pursuit of a more equitable society. The political landscape characterized by Republican supermajorities presents significant challenges. Non-profits working in the racial justice space can help to counterbalance the power of a Republican supermajority and promote equity, fairness, and representation in the political process by promoting voter education and outreach, by partnering with legal advocacy groups, through community organizing and grassroots activism, and most importantly by collaborating with other organizations, including faith-based groups, labor unions, and civil rights organizations, to build a broad coalition advocating for racial justice. Forming coalitions with like-minded organizations can amplify their collective voices and work together to push for policy changes. For example, the Moral Mondays movement in North Carolina has successfully united various organizations in peaceful protests against regressive state policies. To counteract potential policy setbacks, non-profits must ramp up their advocacy efforts, engaging in public education campaigns and lobbying to raise awareness about the importance of racial and economic justice issues.?