Written by America’s legal system reflects a stark contradiction that exposes the racial and systemic inequities at its core. On one hand, felons—disproportionately people of color—are stripped of their right to vote, effectively silencing them from participating in the democratic process. Yet, under the same legal framework, it is possible for an individual with a criminal record, including a felony, to run for and even be elected as President of the United States. This glaring inconsistency not only highlights a deep-seated racial bias but also underscores the selective nature of justice in America.
The disenfranchisement of felons is rooted in a history of racial oppression, designed to marginalize minority communities and maintain the status quo. Meanwhile, the ability of a felon to run for the highest office in the land serves as a reminder that power and privilege in America are reserved for a select few. This paradox raises critical questions about who is truly allowed to participate in the nation’s democracy and whose voices are systematically suppressed.
Until these disparities are addressed, the claim that America is a beacon of justice and equality remains fundamentally flawed. The right to vote and the right to run for office should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of their past, to ensure that the promise of democracy is fulfilled for everyone, not just a privileged few.