::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

#AmericaAt250 The current fight to restore voting rights is essentially about the frailty of the Constitution. Poet Gil Scott Heron sang on the 1974 recording "Winter In America," that the Constitution is a "noble piece of paper." One interpretation of that opening line is that the rights inscribed in the Constitution are worthless if they were not applied as the writers intended. Otherwise, the nation's blueprint for fair laws is merely paper. His words today are especially relevant as key parts of the document seem to be getting shredded, leaving Black Americans who are concerned about the creation of equitable voting districts feeling insecure -- appearing to hold Heron's sentiment. Withing the Black community, a risky narrative about when Blacks became U.S. citizens is emerging as Black leaders and advocates challenge the Supreme Court's recent redistricting decision. U.S. born slaves became citizens in 1868 with the passage of the 14th Amendment...