Power, Politics, and the Lines Between Us

Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district lines every ten years to reflect population changes recorded by the U.S. Census. While often framed as a routine administrative task, redistricting plays a critical role in determining political power. When district lines are manipulated to advantage political parties or weaken the voting strength of communities, the process becomes gerrymandering.

Historically in the United States, gerrymandering has been used to dilute the political power of communities of color, particularly Black voters. So called “race blind” maps are often presented as fair on the surface, yet they frequently erase protections designed to ensure equitable representation under the Voting Rights Act. Ignoring race in this context does not create fairness. Instead, it can deepen longstanding disparities.

Since the Supreme Court’s rollback of federal oversight under the Voting Rights Act, states with histories of discriminatory maps have been able to redraw districts with less federal review, deepening concern that hard-won protections for Black voters are once again being stripped away.

This struggle is currently unfolding in Texas, where the U.S. Supreme Court  has allowed the state to move forward with a revised congressional map that significantly favors Republicans. The redrawn lines reshape multiple districts and, according to voting rights advocates, could result in Republicans gaining several additional House seats. Among the districts affected is that of Representative Jasmine Crockett, who has emerged as a prominent and outspoken critic of Donald Trump and his political agenda.

Many observers believe these changes are not incidental but part of a broader effort to suppress challenges to racial injustice and extremist politics. As the political terrain shifts, Crockett has signaled her intention to seek broader influence, including exploring a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, continuing her fight for democratic accountability on a larger stage.

Texas is not alone in preparing for a potential redistricting showdown. California has already approved a new U.S. House map, and several states are weighing similar moves. Republicans in Indiana, Missouri, and Florida have openly discussed revisiting their district lines ahead of the 2026 midterms, while Democratic governors in Illinois, New York, and Maryland have also signaled interest in doing the same.

Many see what is unfolding as a direct assault on Black voters and communities of color whose voices have been intentionally diminished for generations. What we are witnessing is a struggle that demands both our attention and our response. We are more than dots on a map. These lines determine whose voices are amplified and whose leadership is affirmed. As this moment unfolds, we must remember this truth. There is nothing stronger than the power of the people. Those who control the map may believe they hold the power to shape the future, but the deeper question remains whether that future will reflect justice, equity, and the sacred worth of every voice.