Although the physical abuse to suppress votes has ended, policies have been put in place that have the same result. Today, disenfranchisement efforts are more subtle. Our two summer interns, Gabrielle from Regent University and Bri from VCU, lead the book group for male Lifers in our houses. The book was “Evicted.” This year’s book is “One Person, One Vote” by Carol Anderson. Last year, we participated through the Center. This included “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson and then “Dreamland” by Sam Quinoes – both visited the jail and presented to the men and women in the REAL Program. The first 2 years of the partnership, we were only in the jail, so we had the book group with the 150 inmates in the program in the jail. VCU donates many books to us to do book groups with participants and they coordinate the author to speak to our Lifers. Starting 4 years ago, we partnered with VCU’s Common Book Program. Toward the end of the semester the author visits campus and holds a campus wide discussion. Books are selected based on prevalent social issues. Each year VCU Freshmen are required to read the ‘common book’ and participate in the associated class. This year, we partnered again with VCU and their Common Book Program. For example, Anderson recalls accounts of the intimidation tactics used that included unlawful arrests, threats of physical violence, and even murder to prevent African Americans from voting. Everyone was aware that voter suppression was (and still is) a major cause for concern, but some were not aware of the lengths that government officials were willing to go to that would ensure that votes by minorities would not be cast. Many group members shared that reading about the violence that African Americans endured while attempting to exercise their right to vote was especially difficult. Anger, hurt, heartbreak, disgust, and disappointment were just a few of the emotions felt by book group members while reading Carol Anderson’s One Person, No Vote.

One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson