Dear Editor:
In an affront to all Americans and in defiance of the intent of our Constitution’s 18th and 19th amendment addressing voters’ rights, “voter suppression” continues and intensifies in a number of states. The intent of this shameful movement is to hinder and discourage from voting: minorities, i.e., Afro-Americans and Hispanics, the elderly, and young voters among us. While courts have struck down such attempted travesties in several states, if allowed to continue unchecked, this eroding of our constitutional rights casts an ominous shadow on the future of all Americans. I’m prompted to ask, what segment of our society will next become the target of these reactionary conservatives.
This radical right group, if successful in their attacks upon their perceived enemies, could look with equal disfavor upon voters of cultures or national heritage or, yes, religions, whose views don’t coincide with their own values or political preference.
It occurs to me that churches of all denominations spread throughout the U.S. have an obligation, opportunity, and highly visible presence to condemn this voter suppression conspiracy, from their countless pulpits throughout our country. To neglect to address in strongest terms this attack on our human rights would be a serious evasion of a commitment we all share, to propagate the will of our creator. In no sense is this an issue of separation of church and state, but one of preservation of our human rights.
Sincerely,
Charles McAdam