The Legacy of Dr. King and Voting Rights

The most enduring legacy of Martin Luther King, with regards to voting rights, would be the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These two pieces of legislation allowed for greater equality and allowed more minority groups to enter local elected offices. It also called for local elections to be monitored at the federal levels in areas that had a past of discriminatory conduct. Unfortunately the United States of America has a long and ugly past of discriminating against minority groups, and the right to vote should never be taken for granted. Even today, cases involving discriminatory re-redistricting practices make headlines. After the 2000 Presidential Election and with recent trends like voter ID cards it is clear that fair and equal elections must still be fought for, and not assumed to be in practice. Dr. King did a tremendous amount to help achieve great equality and inclusion in the political process for all minority groups in America. The things that MLK fought for effect everyone, and not just African Americans. Anyone who is a member of a group that is different, either in appearance or in their thinking, from the majority can be construed as a threat to those in power. Dr. King was subjected to government surveillance and intimidation, due to his political-economic vision and his rejection of the War in Vietnam.  Especially with the recent revelations of Edward Snowden ensuring fair elections is even more important.