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Why Do African Americans Have The Right To Vote

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Looking back in the history of the United States of America, African American were given the right to vote on February 3, 1870 by the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Even though they were given the right to vote they were placed under undue pressure to keep them from voting. Tactics such as, violence, literacy tests, poll taxes, ridiculous registration practices, Voters ID, Redistricting, and other obstacles were used. This was especially done in the South where slavery was popular. Many African Americans experienced violence and were even murdered to prevent them from voting. One notable case was in 1873 a gang of whites in Louisiana murdered more than 100 blacks who were assembled to defend Republicans who had stood for the voters’ rights of all citizens. In 1890, southern states began to adopt illiteracy tests to disenfranchise voters. Forty to Sixty percent of blacks were illiterate compared to 8 to 18 percent of whites. Ballots had to be place in …show more content…

In my opinion voting is not something that is required for citizens, but is giving to the people so they can interact. Once stated by Hilary Clinton “Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process”. As an African American female, and being able to vote in my first election. I could voice my opinion by voting for someone who I feel could do great things to help our country. I’m pleased to say that I’m able to vote because I know in history women has went through disfranchisement as well to allow me and women in American the opportunity to be able to voice their opinion. In conclusion voting as came a long way, individuals had to face many barriers, so they can have the rights to vote. Voting is a responsibility that is very important in determining where the nation is, and going to be.

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