Two cases before the Supreme Court seek to undermine civil rights protections won through decades of struggle against Jim Crow disenfranchisement laws and racist employment practices.
Ricci v. DeStefano
aims to erode the anti-discrimination provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in the employment context. Firefighters sued the city of New Haven, Conn., when it suspended a civil-service test that favored white applicants over Black and Latino applicants for promotions.Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Mukasey
challenges a provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 meant to protect African Americans and other oppressed nationalities from disenfranchisement. The provision prevents districts primarily in the South from shifting polling locations and election district boundaries without prior federal approval. The lawsuit seeks to undermine this protection, despite the fact that it has been used to challenge 421 election changes between 1980 and 2000.Under capitalism, the state plays an active role in undermining workers’ gains, which must not only be conquered but also constantly defended through struggle.
