This week the Black community received a classic lesson in politics 101: How to hold on to power by gerrymandering.
Let’s assume citizens are students asking the questions of a Black political science instructor. Here’s how the lesson would go:
Students: We came to two communities this week and looked at 10 maps with a lot of numbers. What does that have to do with us?
Teacher: The city has five city council members, three blacks and two whites. This was determined ten years ago when only a few Blacks lived North of Louisville Avenue. In ten years, over 1000 Blacks have moved into North Monroe, and nearly 800 whites have moved out.
Students: How is that a problem?
Teacher: On paper, every 10 years, the city should redraw the lines to reflect changes in demographics. Since Monroe is growing “blacker” as whites run to West Monroe, the parish, and Sterlington, the new districts should reflect the massive migration of Blacks into North Monroe, but they don’t.
Students: Why? Aren’t lines drawn by a computer based on population?
Teacher: Yes, but redrawing the lines is a political decision by those in power to protect themselves and their interests. Those in power usually instruct the people who draw maps to draw them in ways that guarantee their re-election and their political goals, but they will never say that’s what they did.
Students: What is the goal of the Black community?
Teacher: To have districts that fairly represent our presence in the city. Until ten years ago, that meant having a council with three majority-black districts, one white district with a super majority, and a second white district that only has a small white majority. For us, that second district is District 2, which was 50 percent white ten years ago with a growing black population of 43 percent.
Students: So, you are saying that a fair map would show a fourth district (District 2) that reflects the 10% increase in the black population? What should the percentage be?
Teacher: More like 52 percent black. Instead, the lines have been shifted to allow only 45% for each race, ignoring the black majority. It basically guarantees two white city council districts despite the black majority population in the district.
Student: You mean the present city council members can have lines drawn to insure their chances at re-election?
Teacher: They can, and they have. It’s called gerrymandering, and it’s legal. Those in power draw the lines in their favor to protect incumbents and hold on to power. Since it’s a purely political decision, it can become law since the people who ordered the maps to be drawn are also the ones who ultimately have to approve them.
Students: So, we saw what looks like ten different maps this week. Which of them is best for minorities?
Teacher: None of the maps fairly reflect black population growth in North Monroe. All ten maps maintain two white districts in North Monroe and guarantee blacks three council seats while making it harder for blacks to get the fourth seat.
Students: Why would black council members favor any plan that would not give fair representation to our people?
Teacher: Historically, they haven’t, but this year it seems different. The directive to protect incumbents also protects white districts as well. No black council member gave instructions to have a map drawn showing the possibility of four majority-black districts. It can’t be done and protect incumbents at the same time.
Students: Was that the goal?
The man who drew the maps for the city council said Tuesday that his primary directive in drawing the new maps was “incumbent retention” or protecting the people who are in power. He’s not a politician and probably didn’t anticipate the kickback he received, but he never wavered. He drew the lines to protect the incumbents.
Students: This sounds like something from our racist past. It can’t be real?
Teacher: It should not be an issue since three of the city’s five council members are black. Somehow, orders were given to protect the incumbents, and the maps were drawn accordingly. The black councilmen say they did not give that order, and white ones also deny the claim. What is known is that each council member reviewed the maps and made changes in their districts only.
Students: There have been two meetings held in South Monroe, when will the white councilmen have district meetings?
Teacher: None have been planned. All ten maps protect them and almost guarantee their seats. Most of the changes are being made to the South Monroe districts to guarantee their re-election. If they don’t operate with one mind, the result will be a map that does what it is designed to do, protect everyone in power.
Students: So, what’s next?
Teacher: After Tuesday, it became clear that a map must be drawn that will show a black majority in District 2. It will make it tough on incumbents, but it will be fair. However, just because the map is drawn, one of the black council members can still opt to choose one of the remaining ten maps that preserves incumbents, and blacks will lose a chance at a fourth seat for ten years.
Students: How long do they have to make a decision?
Teacher: By law, the maps must be approved and submitted by December 31st.
