Addressing a Legacy of Injustice
Despite the historic strides made during the Civil Rights Movement, racial disparities persist in areas such as the criminal legal system, education, health care, housing, employment and more. Across the Deep South, Black and Brown communities continue to disproportionately face police violence, mass incarceration and discrimination. Compounding these challenges, the unrelenting assault on voting rights by antidemocratic forces aims to silence the voices of those who bear the brunt of unjust policies.
This dire situation demands a sustained movement to dismantle the entrenched structures of racism and inequality in our country and to implement policies that will achieve permanent change for vulnerable communities that need it most.
Achieving Progress through Policy
To make meaningful progress that will improve the lives of communities of color and others who are pushed to the margins, the SPLC advocates for bold, forward-thinking policies that can help drive transformative change in the Deep South and beyond. By analyzing issues like poverty and mass incarceration, we are able to design solutions that address the complexity and interconnectedness of these challenges.
Rather than reacting to problems, we strive to proactively address root causes and advance policy solutions that shape a future where equity and justice are foundational principles of society. Simultaneously, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting and defending the civil rights of all people. These rights form the foundation of every movement for equality, including those advocating for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the rights of people with disabilities, immigrants’ rights, and the rights of religious minorities.
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Our Priorities
Addressing the SPLC’s core policy priorities is critical for advancing justice and enabling people of color to access ladders of opportunity.
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The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder changed the landscape of voting rights across the nation. Learn how this decision paved the way for lawmakers to erect barriers to the ballot box that disproportionately impact voters of color.
