NextGen Disciples Collective

THE BLOOD THAT BOUGHT THE BALLOT

Our History. Our Rights. Our Future.

The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in a democracy. For African Americans, that right was secured through decades of prayer, protest, sacrifice, and legal advocacy.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted after the Selma to Montgomery Marches and the events of “Bloody Sunday.” The law prohibited discriminatory voting practices and required certain states, including Louisiana, to obtain federal approval before changing election laws.

Why Many Say the Act Has Been “Gutted”

Several Supreme Court of the United States decisions have reduced the strength of the Act:

* Shelby County v. Holder weakened federal preclearance.
* Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee made some voting-rights claims harder to prove.
* Recent redistricting decisions have increased uncertainty regarding the future of majority-Black districts in Louisiana.

What Louisiana Voters Can Do

1. Register and vote in every election.
2. Stay informed about election dates and district maps.
3. Attend local meetings and public hearings.
4. Support organizations engaged in voting-rights advocacy and litigation.
5. Encourage civic participation in churches and community organizations.

Trusted Resources

* Louisiana Secretary of State – Elections and Voting
* NAACP Legal Defense Fund
* Brennan Center for Justice
* Campaign Legal Center
* Vote.org

A Legacy Worth Protecting

“Our ancestors paid a tremendous price to secure the right to vote. Honoring their sacrifice begins with staying informed, participating, and helping others do the same.”

We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not as a moment in history, but as a movement in motion.

Dr. King’s life reminds us that faith must be lived, justice must be pursued, and love must be courageous. He did not simply speak of dreams—he organized, sacrificed, and stood firm when standing was costly. His legacy is not preserved by applause, but by action.

Today, we lift our eyes to the next generation.

To our young people: the torch is now in your hands. You inherit a world still wrestling with injustice, inequality, and moral confusion—but you also inherit the strength, brilliance, and resilience of those who came before you. Dr. King’s voice may be silent, but his call is not. It calls you to lead with conviction, to resist despair, to believe that change is possible, and to walk boldly in truth.

This generation must not only remember history—you must shape it.

May you carry forward a faith that confronts injustice, a courage that refuses complacency, and a love that seeks the good of all people. The work continues. The dream lives on. And the future is calling.

Let us answer—together.

Let’s be real.

Many of us want the benefits of Jesus without the boundaries of Jesus.

We love grace… but struggle with obedience.
We celebrate freedom… but resist discipline.

Jesus didn’t invite us to follow our feelings. He invited us to deny ourselves.

📖 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” — Luke 6:46

💬 Question for the comments:
What’s one biblical command that’s hardest for this generation to live out—and why?

(No judgment. Just truth and growth.)

It’s a brand new year filled with opportunities and possibilities. What’s NEXT for you this year? Let us know in the comments.