Voting Rights Act erosion accelerates as Tennessee approves redistricting that eliminates its last majority-Black district. The move follows the Supreme Court’s gutting of the 1965 law, which had expanded Black representation in Congress from zero to 31. State Representative Justin Jones set a Confederate flag ablaze in protest, but legislators prioritized partisan maps over racial equity. This echoes 1870 when Tennessee disenfranchised Black men, setting a template for Southern states to erase Black political power. Today, the South’s 31 Black representatives face potential collapse, mirroring the fall of Reconstruction.

The Supreme Court’s 2026 ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais* marked a turning point, allowing states to redraw maps without regard for racial minorities. Louisiana’s governor suspended a primary to enable map changes, despite 38% Black voters. Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama followed suit. Critics warn this mirrors 19th-century tactics: poll taxes, literacy tests, and racial gerrymandering. The Court’s logic—rewriting the 15th Amendment to permit “race-neutral” exclusion—parallels *Plessy v. Ferguson* (1896), which legalized segregation. Without federal enforcement, Black voters risk losing the franchise again.

This regression threatens Black political power and American democracy. Historically, Reconstruction (1865-1877) saw Black men win elected office, pass progressive laws, and integrate Congress. George Henry White, the last Black House member until 1922, called for a “phoenixlike” return. Today, the loss of 31 seats could rewrite history. As Manisha Sinha notes, Tennessee’s action is not an anomaly but a deliberate reversal. Investors and leaders must recognize this: eroding civil rights undermines social stability, which in turn impacts economic growth. The absence of Black representation risks marginalizing communities, stifling innovation, and deepening inequality. The question is not if this will happen again—it is how soon.