The Debate Behind the Voting Rights Case: Stephen L. Carter

I agree with those who think the Supreme Court made a mistake in narrowing the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. But rather than join in the ritual and perhaps overheated condemnation of the decision in Louisiana v. Callais, perhaps we might take the occasion to consider its place in the larger conversation about righting racial wrongs.

To start, although I disagree with Justice Alito’s opinion for the 6-3 majority, let’s be clear about what the Supreme Court didn’t say — and what it did.

The majority did not rule that no legislature may ever create ...