My Letters to the Texas Redistricting Committees

In the midst of writing a piece on redistricting and thought that it would also share the letters I wrote the redistrict committees in both the Texas House and Senate redistricting committees. Here are the links to the Senate and House committees for anyone else that might be interested in letting the committees know your thoughts on their proposed maps. Here are my letters:

Texas Senate

To the Senate Redistricting Committee,

I am writing to inform you of my disappointment, but not surprise, in your obvious power grab in the redistricting process. Seeing that 95% of the growth in Texas are minorities, which led to its acquiring 2 new congressional districts, it is beyond ridiculous that the number of minority congressional districts in your proposed plan has decreased, while the number of majority ones increased. Additionally, combining Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee's district with that of Congressman Al Green is also a clearly targeted act to eliminate at least one of Houston's long-time African American Congress members. These maps show a blatant disregard for the voting rights of the citizens that you represent and also show that the only objective is to both retain and expand the power of the Texas GOP.

I have heard many people say that minorities need to leave the Democratic "plantation" and vote for the GOP. However, continual blatant moves to disenfranchise voters of color makes that a repugnant option. Also, since the Texas GOP has also shown a complete disregard for history in its recent legislative priorities, it's not surprising that those who are using the term "plantation" are using it in manner that is historically inappropriate. One of the key components of a plantation was the empowerment of the masters through the disenfranchisement of black bodies. In like manner, the current redistricting plan is an attempt to empower the Texas GOP through the disenfranchisement of voters of color.

I'd suggest that the Texas GOP stand on the principles that it claims are so great for the residents of Texas and let the voters choose your party. However, like an unattractive suitor your party seems to know that your so called principles have very little appeal to many voters, especially voters of color. Thus, you have resorted to an abuse of power that is nearly as egregious of as plantation owners who physically forced themselves on their slaves, mainly because they could.

While I would usually try to appeal to ones better nature, it appears that there is not much to appeal to here. As such, I will just close by borrowing from the vernacular of many young people in saying that I hope that you "keep that same energy" when you are on the receiving end of the foolishness that you are currently giving out.

Sincerely,

Danyahel (Danny) Norris

Texas House

To the House Redistricting Committee,

I am writing to inform you of my disappointment, but not surprise, in your redistricting process. 95% of the growth in Texas are minorities, and while not quite as bad as the Texas Senate, these maps show a blatant disregard for the voting rights of the citizens that you represent and also show that the only objective is to both retain and expand the power of the Texas GOP.

I have heard many people say that minorities need to leave the Democratic "plantation" and vote for the GOP. However, continual blatant moves to disenfranchise voters of color makes that a repugnant option. Also, since the Texas GOP has also shown a complete disregard for history in its recent legislative priorities, it's not surprising that those who are using the term "plantation" are using it in manner that is historically inappropriate. One of the key components of a plantation was the empowerment of the masters through the disenfranchisement of black bodies. In like manner, the current redistricting plan is an attempt to empower the Texas GOP through the disenfranchisement of voters of color.

I'd suggest that the Texas GOP stand on the principles that it claims are so great for the residents of Texas and let the voters choose your party. However, like an unattractive suitor your party seems to know that your so called principles have very little appeal to many voters, especially voters of color. Thus, you have resorted to an abuse of power that is nearly as egregious of as plantation owners who physically forced themselves on their slaves, mainly because they could.

While I would usually try to appeal to ones better nature, it appears that there is not much to appeal to here. As such, I will just close by borrowing from the vernacular of many young people in saying that I hope that you "keep that same energy" when you are on the receiving end of the foolishness that you are currently giving out.

Sincerely,

Danyahel (Danny) Norris