Paula Deen, Bobby Deen, and Jamie Deen have entered our living rooms, dens, and prompted us to cook some wonderful southern dishes. Paula is a true Southern Belle who bridges the gap between the old south and the new south. She has helped erase my horrible memories of growing up in Mississippi during the turbulent 1960's. She takes me back to family meals, fried chicken, and sitting on the front porch enjoying the cool breezes of the old oak tree in the front yard.
She is now being sued by Lisa Jackson, a white woman who worked at Bubba's Shrimp House. She requesting 1.9 million in damages due to sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Yet, when Jackson was asked under oath if she had ever heard Paula Deen make a racist remark, sexually harass anyone, or discriminate against anyone due to gender, Jackson replied NO. This is a clear example of a money hungry lawyer and his client seeking to destroy the reputation of a good woman but not a perfect woman. She is not perfect. None of us are.
The Supreme Court has issued rulings this week that may change affirmative action and voting rights legislation that have been in effect for most of my life. I remember when the laws were passed. Growing up in Mississippi, I remember the poll tax, the literacy tests, and the residency requirements imposed on minorities. The Voting Rights Act of 1964 required some southern state to get preclearance for voting law changes before they can become law. The formula used in the 1964 was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roberts states that the Voting Rights Act of 1964 is a departure from the 10th Amendment giving rights to the states not given to Congress in the Constitution. In addition, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 departs from the principle that states should be treated equally. Chief Justice Roberts in writing the majority opinion clearly states that the decision of the court does not overturn the Voting Rights Act concerning discriminatory voting rules and laws. Roberts further declared that it does not overturn the preclearance requirement. Roberts stated the court's ruling gives Congress a mandate to change the formula based on current conditions.
MY THOUGHTS: It is time that the Voting Rights Act be applied to all states equally based on the 10th Amendment. The 15th Amendment states no one can be denied the right to vote based on color or race. Congress has the power to enforce this. I further agree with Justice Thomas the preclearance section of the Voting Rights Act should be declared unconstitutional. The Justice Department has the authority of the 15th Amendment to sue and bring to court any state that impedes a person's right to vote yet the states should have a right to determine its own laws. Preclearance is a violation of another legal principle that states have the right to enact laws for the citizens of its state. Laws passed by congress should apply to all states.
Wow....this longer than I thought it would be so I will save my other remarks for a different post.
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