The Struggle for Voting Rights

Leadership is one of the most important aspect growth in the society. Without strong and effective, the society is destined to face challenges which can ultimately lead to major failures. In the present days, nearly all the countries worldwide practice democracy where Citizens are expected to vote the leaders they would want to lead them. Despite the much demanded voting rights among the people in the society, very few people have stopped to think about the origin of voting rights and the historical struggle that people underwent particularly the African Americans who were being denied their voting rights. This paper will discuss the struggle that African Americans went through to get their voting rights 

Even though the Fifteen Amendment ratified in 1870 provided that everyone has a right to vote regardless of their color, race, or previous servitude condition, the African Americans' voting rights were still being violated in different states across the globe. The blacks were being denied the right to vote bases on the fact they could not afford poll taxes, pass literacy test and many other mistreatment including physical intimidation. In the Presidential election held in 1960, only about 25 percent of African Americans were allowed to vote. The blacks were very disappointed by the low numbers in ballot, but they did not give up in their fight; they continued to fight for their voting rights. In the following election (1964 Presidential election), the number of African Americans participating in voting had risen to 60 percent. Civil rights leaders were beginning to recognize the need to protect every voter's voting right regardless of their cultural social, economic, and political background. The election of President Johnson in 1964 was regarded as a victory for African Americans voters as well; major voting rights were achieved during his tenure. 

In conclusion, the struggle for voting rights dates back to 1870th Fifteenth Amendment which provided voting rights for every individual regardless of race and color. The African Americans have fought overtime to achieve their voting rights with major achievement during the 1964 Presidential election. 

Reference 

Delton, J. (2016). Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in Americ by Ari Berman.  Journal of Southern History ,  82 (4), 988-990.