The Failure to Pass Voting Rights Bills is an Insult to Civil Rights, Environmental Justice, and Basic Human Dignity.

Many minority groups in the United States experience inequities, including: living in food deserts, being exposed to more hazards at home and in the work place — including microaggressions and discrimination, having more chronic health issues, and experiencing more environmental risks.

These disparate issues are closely related with at least one overarching reason. VOTING RIGHTS.

When minority groups are disenfranchised, as many effectively are in the United States, not only are their civil rights violated; but their basic human rights, human dignity, and a right to environmental justice are also violated.

With regards to voting, Mitch McConnell said, “Black people vote just as much as ‘Americans.’” That in itself, demonstrates his beliefs when it comes to minorities and their rights.

For although African Americans, Hispanics, Latinx, Indigenous, or any other minorities may in fact vote as often or in as much proportion (to their overall population) as white Americans do, minority populations are often not provided with the SAME opportunity nor the same EASE with which to vote.

It is well established by now that there are fewer polling places in majority-minority areas. It also well established that individuals from minority groups are less likely to have “state-required” government-issued identification, time off of work, or as many locations to vote and benefit from the ability to vote by mail; a well-tested mechanism to aid voters in exercising their constitutional right to vote.

In fact, the fifteenth amendment to the United States Constitution prevents states from denying the right to vote on grounds of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Yet, too many states are doing JUST THAT. Denying too many minority groups their right to vote by making it far too onerous to engage in that right.

When 52 senators effectively voted down this Act, they spat in the face of constitutional civil rights.

But, that wasn’t all they did. By voting against this Act, these 52 senators also voted against basic human dignity and environmental justice.

Just as there are fewer polling places in lower-income, majority-minority areas; many of these areas are also in closer proximity to noxious and hazardous industrial or agricultural complexes that spew pollutants into the air, the water, and the environment. Many of these areas also have fewer green spaces and are food deserts, which in combination, lead to higher rates of chronic illness, cancers, and death. Environmental justice is nowhere to be seen for these groups for these multiple coinciding reasons.

Yet, the ability to vote for real change — whether that be for climate action, sustainability, environmental justice, food security, higher minimum wage, or childcare — is hindered by the very people in office who are “supposed” to represent their interests.

Which begs the questions: Why are so many congressmen anti-social? Why are so many congressmen anti-environmental?

I believe we have JUST witnessed 52 senators who are afraid they will be voted out of office if the will of their constituents is ACTUALLY heard and if every vote truly counted.

I believe we have just seen these 52 senators put their own interests, and the interests they are paid to have, such as interests of the oil industry, the coal industry, the agriculture industry, the plastics industry, and other major-polluting industries ahead of the health and wellbeing of this planet and the adults and CHILDREN who live on this planet.

I believe that their claims that it is “too costly” to help children and their families, or to invest in the environment are misguided at best, and outright lies at worst. “Follow the money,” right?

Many congressmen and women are sponsored by the oil industry, the coal industry, the agriculture industry, or have worked for agencies that sponsor these industries. The revolving door between congress and industry has been well established.

And so, perhaps the real reason Voting Rights Acts were struck down is because it would open up the door to real change if a new person was voted in, where perhaps real social change, real environmental change, real work towards equality, and real benefits for our children and their future Earth could finally be supported and funded.

It’s become too obvious in this country, when you have power and control, you do not want to give it away and you do not want others to take it from you.

So, not only does this vote represent an insult to constitutional civil rights, and it surely does, but it also is an insult to environmental justice, public health, food security, and dignity in general. I am very disheartened by this vote; not only because it hurts far too many decent people, but also because it hurts our children, it hurts Earth, and it guts too many good people who want a voice as they simply try to survive.

For more information and ideas: Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life

Twitter: @danaellishunnes

Instagram: @danaellishunnes

Facebook: @recipeforsurvival

Publicist: megan@meganbeatie.com

Dana Ellis Hunnes PhD, MPH, RD is a practicing clinical dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center who has worked with patients with COVID over the past 22 months and is an assistant professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her first book — Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life — with Cambridge University Press addresses issues of climate change, food security, sustainable diets, and the environment.