News
November 14, 2025
Guest column: Louisiana's redistricting case should be decided on one test: the 15th Amendment
Remember when Indiana Jones nonchalantly chose to hip-shoot his way out of a duel with a threatening swordsman? It was pragmatism over pageantry. Simple versus struggle. Bullet beats blade.
Louisiana's ongoing redistricting battle needs a similar dose of pragmatic simplicity, argues a recent guest column, advocating for the 15th Amendment as the decisive test in the case. Just like Indiana Jones choosing a gun over a sword fight, the author suggests cutting through the legal complexities and focusing on the core issue of voting rights.
The column draws a parallel to the iconic scene where Indiana Jones, faced with an elaborate sword display, simply pulls out his revolver and ends the confrontation with a single shot. The point? Sometimes, the most effective solution is the most direct one. In this context, the 15th Amendment, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote based on race, provides that direct path.
The redistricting case, which has been winding its way through the courts, revolves around the boundaries of Louisiana's congressional districts. Critics argue that the current map dilutes the voting power of Black residents, effectively disenfranchising them. The legal arguments are intricate, involving statistical analyses, demographic data, and interpretations of various legal precedents.
However, the guest column suggests that all these complexities should ultimately be weighed against the fundamental principle enshrined in the 15th Amendment. Does the redistricting plan, in practice, diminish the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice? If the answer is yes, then the plan fails, regardless of the other legal justifications offered.
The author emphasizes that focusing on the 15th Amendment provides a clear and objective standard. It's a matter of ensuring equal access to the ballot box for all citizens, regardless of race. Just as Indiana Jones opted for the most efficient means of resolving the conflict, the courts should prioritize the constitutional guarantee of voting rights in resolving the redistricting dispute. The column suggests that embracing this simple, direct approach – the "bullet beats blade" mentality – is the most effective way to ensure fairness and justice in Louisiana's electoral process.
The column draws a parallel to the iconic scene where Indiana Jones, faced with an elaborate sword display, simply pulls out his revolver and ends the confrontation with a single shot. The point? Sometimes, the most effective solution is the most direct one. In this context, the 15th Amendment, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote based on race, provides that direct path.
The redistricting case, which has been winding its way through the courts, revolves around the boundaries of Louisiana's congressional districts. Critics argue that the current map dilutes the voting power of Black residents, effectively disenfranchising them. The legal arguments are intricate, involving statistical analyses, demographic data, and interpretations of various legal precedents.
However, the guest column suggests that all these complexities should ultimately be weighed against the fundamental principle enshrined in the 15th Amendment. Does the redistricting plan, in practice, diminish the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice? If the answer is yes, then the plan fails, regardless of the other legal justifications offered.
The author emphasizes that focusing on the 15th Amendment provides a clear and objective standard. It's a matter of ensuring equal access to the ballot box for all citizens, regardless of race. Just as Indiana Jones opted for the most efficient means of resolving the conflict, the courts should prioritize the constitutional guarantee of voting rights in resolving the redistricting dispute. The column suggests that embracing this simple, direct approach – the "bullet beats blade" mentality – is the most effective way to ensure fairness and justice in Louisiana's electoral process.
Category:
Politics