Redistricting is Unfair to Minorities

by Missy Bain

I have always been familiar with the idea of redistricting, but I never really knew how unfair it can be. I guess I just never realized the extent to which redistricting affects minorities. I believe that regardless of the way you think this person will vote because of the color of their skin or their ethnic background, you should never ensure that their vote is suppressed. After reading more on the topic, I discovered that the entire process is flawed and basically corrupt and it almost made me feel cheated out of my vote, since the line-drawers already know how the district will vote. It really made me think about our so-called Democracy and I began to think that maybe the citizens have never even actually chosen their representatives, that it was always decided by default. Even through personal experiences working with candidates, it seems that they already know how their constituents will vote and they aren’t too worried about the outcome. Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but basically I feel betrayed! And I can’t even imagine how someone who is considered a minority must feel. They must feel not only betrayed, but cheated. I understand that there needs to be lines drawn for districts, but can’t people put their partisanship and petty selfishness behind them to ensure a fair election with an unknown result? I thought people went in to politics with the desire of helping other people and making a difference in their community or in the nation. When did it turn into a selfish race for undeserved votes?