How has Black representation in Congress changed over time?

Feb 17

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

The post-Civil War Reconstruction era brought the start of Black representation on Capitol Hill in 1870, around the time when Black men gained the right to vote. The rise of racist poll taxes, literacy tests and threats of violence, however, whittled away the rights of Black voters until the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. According to the data in the visual above how many Black representatives were there in Congress in the 86th Congress (1959-1961) before the Voting Rights Act (1965) was passed?
According to the data in the visual above what year had the lowest number of Black representatives in Congress in U.S. history?
According to the data in the visual above how many Black representatives are there in Congress in the current 119th Congress (2025-2027)?
The landmark Voting Rights Act (VRA), a product of the Civil Rights Movement, has long protected the voting power of racial minorities during redistricting, increasing the number of Black lawmakers in the House. This is largely because, in many polarized Southern states (where white voters favor Republicans and Black voters favor Democrats), political mapmakers have created VRA Section 2 districts. These districts ensure racial minorities form a large enough population to realistically elect their preferred candidates. What happened to the amount of Black representation in Congress after the VRA was passed in 1965?
Over time, what has been the general trajectory of Black representation in Congress?
At an October hearing on Louisiana's congressional map redistricting case, the conservative Supreme Court majority seemed likely to issue another ruling weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act's redistricting protections. These districts have significant minority populations, are in states with Republican-controlled redistricting, and are currently protected by Section 2. According to the data in the visual above how many Black representatives in the current 119th Congress (2025-2027) are likely at risk because of changes in the Court’s interpretation of the VRA?
The likely outcome of the Supreme Court Case will be the loss of 15 Black Congress members. Additionally, Latino congress members are likely to be at risk by this ruling. Describe one political consequence of a potentially whiter and less diverse congress.
The Supreme Court gets to determine the constitutionality of Congressional laws and Presidential actions. What Court case The Court this ability of judicial review?
The Equal Protection Clause of The Fourteenth Amendment states “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Some people interpret “equal protection” to mean that groups that have faced political persecution and discrimination should be protected. If you were a member of the Supreme Court would you rule that these protections in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act are constitutional?
The Constitution gives state legislators the power to draw district lines in congressional elections. President Trump has said we should nationalize elections. Would it be better to let the national government draw legislative districts and run congressional elections?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

If you are going to be 18 by Tuesday, November 3, in most states you can already register to vote. It’s about time.

Get Creative

Imagine a congress that instead of decreasing minority representation increased it dramatically. Make a list of three laws or policies that might be made by such a diverse congress.