Political Quotes

“in the days of legalized Jim Crow laws when segregation reigned supreme, as hope within the African-American community was dim, the only government institution which stood up for the rights of our people was the Supreme Court. Today it is unfortunate for the sake of democracy that our High Court is straying from our Nation's democratic principles, the principles of fair play and equal representation which are embodied in our Constitution. Madam Speaker, it seems to be lacking in the Shaw versus Reno opinion. Our Court must realize that democracy must be inclusive and not exclusive in terms of the doctrines of fairness which should be employed. The majority opinion in Shaw versus Reno is clearly wrong. I do not understand nor appreciate Justice Clarence Thomas' vote and Justice O'Connor's vote in that decision. It is ridiculous, but Justice O'Connor wrote, 'Our political system today is a system in which race no longer matters.' She is wrong. Racial problems still confront many of us. One only needs to pick up the newspapers or turn on the TV to realize this sad fact. Those of us who are attorneys need to remind the High Court that the 1965 Voting Rights Act is still on the books, and it is this Supreme Court's duty to affirmatively support it, preserve it, and enhance it.”