As discussed in the Week 10 class session, voting is a resource that has often been restricted for people of color. One of the means for doing so in the past was the literacy test. In the class session video, I suggested that you consider giving a literacy test a try. Here is your opportunity to gain extra credit for doing so. Below you will find a link to a Louisiana Literacy test. Open the test and answer each question. You can print the test and answer on it, or write your answers on a piece of paper. You do not need to turn in your answers, but you will need to try to answer the questions to be able to complete the questions below. As you will see at the top, you get 10 minutes to complete the test and you must achieve 100 percent on the test to gain the right to vote. After taking the test, answer the questions below to gain your extra credit. To post your answers, click Submit Assignment and type or copy and paste your answers into the box. You can earn up to 5 points of extra credit.
Louisiana Literacy TestLinks to an external site.
1. What did you notice about the questions? The test is supposed to assess literacy (the ability to read and write). How well does it do this? Give specific examples as evidence for your response.
2. Would you have received the right to vote? In other words, did you complete all the questions in the allotted time (10 minutes), and do you believe you got every answer correct? Be honest. (When we do this activity in the classroom, rarely is anyone eligible to vote, so don’t be surprised if this happens.)
3. If these tests were mainly required of black voters (men, because women did not yet have the right to vote), what impact did they have? How are they an example of institutional racism?
