Reflecting on Justice and the Moral Imperative in Troubled Times
The Peril of Undermining the Voting Rights Act
Recent signals from the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative justices suggest a willingness to blunt a key provision of the Voting Rights Act—one of the foundational pillars enacted in 1965 to prevent racial discrimination in voting. This moment is not just a legal crossroads; it is a moral reckoning. If the Supreme Court goes down this path, it risks plundering the nation further into darkness, jeopardizing hard-fought rights and the hope for equal justice under the law.
Why the Voting Rights Act Matters
The Voting Rights Act was born out of the struggle and sacrifice of generations seeking to turn the promise of America into a reality for all its citizens. By seeking to undercut its core protections, the Supreme Court would not merely alter the legal landscape—it would erode the foundational principle that all voices deserve to be heard. History teaches us that when justice is denied to any group, it imperils the freedom and dignity of the whole nation.
“Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue” — A Timeless Mandate
The Torah’s ringing command, “Justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20), resonates today as a call to action. This ancient wisdom insists that justice is not a passive ideal but an imperative to appoint fair judges, to eschew bias and bribery, and to ensure impartiality—not just in courts but in the fabric of daily life. The pursuit of justice is framed as essential for survival and inheritance, “so that you may live and inherit the land.” If the guardians of our legal system falter, if they permit injustice to take root, the legacy we leave will be one of diminished promise and deepened division.
The Danger of Darkness and Idolatry in Public Life
The Torah warns against “following idolatrous customs,” a metaphor that extends beyond religious imagery to any distortion of justice and truth. When personal interests and prejudices are elevated above the common good—when partiality replaces impartiality—we set up idols in the heart of our democracy. In doing so, we betray the spirit of both our legal traditions and our moral obligations. Under a “better dispensation,” with the promise of equitable laws, the tendency to idolize power and privilege remains a persistent threat.
A Call to Action — Let Us Not Be Bystanders
“Justice, justice you shall pursue” is more than a scriptural exhortation; it is a demand for personal and collective responsibility. As citizens, we must stand up against every attempt to narrow the circle of justice—whether in voting rights, in fair representation, or in the daily encounters with inequality. Silence or inaction in the face of injustice is complicity. If the Supreme Court moves to weaken the Voting Rights Act, it is not just a legal setback—it is a moral failing, a dimming of the light by which we navigate our shared future.
Conclusion: Choose the Path of Light
America stands at a threshold. The choices made by our highest court will reverberate for generations. To pursue justice, as commanded in Deuteronomy, is to choose the path of light—of inclusion, fairness, and hope. If we turn away, if those entrusted with justice choose expediency over righteousness, then darkness will indeed deepen, and the promise of the land will slip further from our grasp. Let us insist that justice remains our guide, lest we all be plunged into the shadows of injustice.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 