This article is about Alabama’s unconstitutional maps and how it dilutes African American votes by packing the black vote into one district. So the article considers…well…is that really so bad?
The argument is that if there’s one big ol’ district of black voters, then (it’s assumed) Alabama politicians will need to appeal black interests. Whereas if there are multiple districts where black people merely have a majority, say 51%, then an Alabama politician can engage in tactics that reduce African American votes to less than 50%. After all, what is the problem with a one voting booth for a whole district if everyone theoretically gets the opportunity to vote? And so, Alabama politicians can ignore African American interests.
The argument actually makes sense, and if you don’t care about the political process, is a good argument. It just assumes…ya know…that the process should constrain the effects of racism in the political process rather than, say, asshole racists not being racist and living up to the principles of American democracy.
This article ignores how jerrymandering actually works. It’s not segregation. It’s about ensuring one party wins more elections.
That means you don’t draw lines that put all the people who would vote against you in one place. You, as the article calls it, dilute their power. You put them in with people who will vote for you but in concentrations that ensure your guys win.