Ok, I want to preface this by saying this going to kind of a rant post, but I'll get into the optimism I have to offer and why it is also ok to take a break.
For starters, as a black man, I'm so tired of being an "underdog" for lack of a better term. Throughout this country's history, we have had to fight for everything and when we finally get what we're looking for, we get scraps and even then that's too much for certain people. Today's VRA decision sent me down a sprial that I haven't been down since November 4, 2024. There are people who look like me that fought and died for the VRA and its currently being gutted, forcing my generation to fight a fight they thought they won years ago. Even beyond my race, this only added to the months of gut punches that I have been enduring in my own personal life. I'm exhausted and mentally drained, but what if I told you this isn't over just yet.
Ok, after that rant expressing my feelings and thoughts, I have some optimism I can share regarding the Supreme Court's decision today:
- THIS WILL NOT AFFECT THE 2026 MIDTERMS!
As many of you in the sub have pointed out (including a post earlier about this), most maps cannot be redrawn as mist states are passed their deadline date. All of the gains we've made will not be in vain and the Democrats are still going to win the House and the Senate. This decision will have little to no affect on the upcoming midterms.
- THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE PREPARED TO FIGHT BACK!
Now I'm sure there's some Democrats who probably won't be on board with it, but it looks like significant Democrats are preparing to fight back. AOC for example has said that New York should consider redrawing their maps in order to combat any potential redrawing from the Republicans. Many people on the left are calling for Illinois, Colorado, and California to completely eliminate Republican seats. Now, I'm not for partisan gerrymandering, but this may twist the arm of the GOP into outlawing gerrymandering.
- IF THE DEMOCRATS TAKE BACK THE SENATE, THIS WILL GET REPEALED IN SOME FASHION!
Considering the momentum we've built and how this won't affect the midterms this year, if the Democrats take the Senate (which is looking more likely each day), this could all be negated. James Talarico (he's currently leading the polls in the Texas Senate race) has already said when he wins, the first piece of legislation he's signing is outlawing partisan gerrymandering once and for all. I imagine of the Democrats take the Senate along with the House, this is going to be one of the first major things they are going to push.
And now, it's ok to take a break people! If politics or anything starts affecting your mental health or anxiety, it's ok to walk away for your own sake. I personally struggle with not following through my own unplugging, so I'm going to the extent of deleting Reddit off my phone (and might delete every other social media as well). If you're like me and feeling overwhelmed, it's ok to not stay involved with everything going on in the world. It doesn't make you weak or less involved, it makes you human. I'm going to try and live life and then get back in the fight.
If this gets deleted, I'm going to post this in the mega thread about today's decision sometime tomorrow. But I wanted to make sure everyone could see this. See ya sometime soon!