Doing the Math

Louisiana is going to lose a House seat, based on Census results. We will go from seven to six congressional districts, beginning with the 2012 federal elections.

The 2009 American Community Survey (released in December 2010) revealed that African Americans comprise almost exactly one-third of the state's population.

Louisiana is a Voting Rights state, meaning that special attention is paid to the protection of minority voting rights in our state due to our history.

So, while much talk in recent weeks has centered on ideas like creating a coastal district stretching from Texas to Mississippi, more serious consideration is going to have to be give to creating a congressional reapportionment map that responds to the fundamental demographics of our state.

One-third of six is two. Can two majority African American districts be created? Or, can one African American majority district result in five other districts with significant African American voter bases in them?

This could significantly shift the ideological makeup of our congressional delegation for the better.
White Democrats will have to learn to vote for African Americans. If we can, we can transform politics in our state. If not, we will keep on losing.