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Game Day Chiefs Rituals | History Of Redistricting

Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Some Kansas City Chiefs fans cling to superstitions — like wearing a particular piece of clothing or holding a specific token — in hopes that it'll help the team win.

Listeners share their Kansas City Chiefs game day traditions and how apportionment turned into redistricting and gerrymandering.

Segment 1, beginning at 5:00: Game day rituals help Chiefs fans feel like a part of the game.

From wearing the same threadbare socks to watching every game in a particular location, the most die-hard Chiefs fans hold to rituals aimed at bringing the team good luck. Behind the superstitions though, the traditions also give supporters a sense of control and make them feel like part of the game.

Segment 2, beginning at 26:12: The history of redistricting and its effects on voting.

Gerrymandering is the latest evolutionary iteration of voter suppression, but how did drawing congressional districts become such a political battle? In the months to come, the state legislatures in Kansas and Missouri will begin the once-a-decade process of redistricting. It isn't unique to the United States, but the control states have over the procedure makes the undertaking inherently more political here.

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.