Shocking History of Voter Disenfranchisement Based on Race Still Haunts U.S. Electoral Process

Interview with Khalilah Brown-Dean, assistant professor of African-American Studies and Political Science at Yale University, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

Today almost five million Americans are prevented from voting because they committed a felony crime. Currently, African American men are disenfranchised at a rate seven times the national average. Depending on what state an ex-felon lives in, he or she may be barred from voting for life, or may have their voting rights restored at some point during or after they complete their sentence. In two states, incarcerated individuals may vote, as is the case in many countries around the world.

Much of the racial disparity in the U.S. prison system today is attributed to high levels of poverty and the sale and use of illegal drugs, with punishments apportioned inequitably by race. Khalilah Brown-Dean, assistant professor of African-American studies and political science at Yale University, wrote her doctoral dissertation on the historical roots of this problem. Her work, soon to be published is titled, "Stolen Democracy: Disenfranchisement Laws and American Political Inequality."

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Brown-Dean about what her research revealed about the history of voter disenfranchisement and what it means for democracy today.

Khalilah Brown-Dean's research can be found on the Sentencing Project's website at www.sentencingproject.org

To report election irregularities, call the Election Protection Coalition at 1-866-OUR VOTE or visit their website at www.electionprotection2004.org

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: httC://www.btlonline.org

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