© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Young activists on the importance of voting access

Ways To Subscribe
A man holds a photo of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial during the 2021 March on Washington. Despite the civil rights leader's advocacy work in the 1950s and 60s, the country is still fighting over who can vote and under what circumstances.
Carolyn Kaster
/
AP
A man holds a photo of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial during the 2021 March on Washington. Despite the civil rights leader's advocacy work in the 1950s and 60s, the country is still at odds over who has access to the vote and under what circumstances.

As Democrats in the U.S. Senate get set to debate the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, young activists compare today's fight for ballot access to the efforts in the time of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

May 17th 1957, three years to the day after the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, Dr. Martin Luther King was faced with rampant refusals to implement that decision and efforts to limit civil rights efforts which led him to call for a focus on voting rights.

On the day when America honors Dr. King nearly 65 years after that speech, voting rights for all Americans – including and especially those in marginalized communities – are still very much at the forefront of the news and the work of those who have followed King in seeking social justice.

Activist Kathy Alonso observed, "The issues that we face today are different than what Martin Luther King, Jr. faced in his time but nonetheless our democracy is at stake and we must continue to do the work."

  • Kathy Alonso, activist for increasing Hispanic participation in the political process in Liberal, Kansas
  • Ryan Sorrell, founding editor, The Kansas City Defender
Stay Connected
As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.