Dear Editor,

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint article, “On 61st Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Worries About the Future of Voting Rights and Calls to Action,” on March 10, 2026 makes one thing clear: the fight for voting rights is ongoing, and the stakes remain high. As a graduate student in the social work program at San Diego State University, Vice President of the Black Social Workers Association – BSWA at SDSU, a student member of the San Diego Association of Black Social Workers – SDABSW, and also the California Association Black Social Work – CABSW. I view voter disenfranchisement as not only a political issue, but a critical matter of social justice that directly impacts family and community well-being.

The history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States reveals a persistent pattern of exclusion. From poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation during the Jim Crow era to present-day barriers such as restrictive voter ID laws, reduced polling access, voter roll purges, and inequitable redistricting, systems have repeatedly been used to limit access to the ballot, especially for Black African Americans and other underserved groups of color. The article’s focus on concerns about potential Supreme Court decisions weakening the Voting Rights Act highlights how easily progress can be undone.

These barriers have far-reaching consequences. When individuals are unable to vote, they are effectively excluded from decisions that shape their daily lives, including policies on education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity. This lack of representation often leads to underfunded schools, limited access to healthcare, and disinvestment in underserved communities. Over time, this deepens inequality and contributes to cycles of instability that affect entire families and neighborhoods. In social work, we recognize that civic engagement is directly tied to community health when voices are silenced, inequities grow.

The article also serves as a call to action. Honoring the legacy of those who marched on Bloody Sunday requires more than reflection; it demands a clear and direct response. Therefore, I am calling for specific changes.

First, local and state leaders must significantly expand voter education and outreach efforts, particularly in historically disenfranchised communities, to ensure individuals understand their rights and how to participate. Second, policies that increase access to voting such as expanded early voting, secure mail-in ballots, and equitable polling locations must be protected and strengthened. Third, fair redistricting practices must be enforced to prevent the dilution of minority voting power.

Finally, individuals and community leaders must remain actively engaged. As social workers and advocates, we have a responsibility to encourage voter participation, support registration efforts, and ensure that the communities we serve are informed and empowered.

The right to vote is foundational to a functioning democracy and to the health of our communities. If we fail to protect it, we risk undermining the well-being of the very families and communities we aim to support. The legacy of Bloody Sunday calls on us not only to remember, but to act decisively.

Sincerely,
Maxine E. Amaru
San Diego