VOA标准英语2012--US Civil Rights Organization Promotes Minority Voting

US Civil Rights Organization Promotes Minority Voting

 

"Not on our watch are we going to be pushed away from the decision-making table when it comes to school and education, jobs and economic policy in this country," said National Urban League President Marc Morial - unveiling the organization's annual "State of Black America" report. At a town hall meeting in Washington, the organization joined a chorus of other civil rights groups in condemning¹ new voting laws in 34 states. 

"We believe that these laws will impact the voter participation² of some 5 million voters across the nation," said Morial.

Impact of new laws questioned

Several U.S. states have implemented³ new laws their sponsors say will cut down on voter fraud and other voting errors. 

Some narrow the list of acceptable forms of identification at the polls. Others tighten⁴ restrictions⁵ on registration⁶. Morial says the new regulations are a national assault on voting rights and will discourage political participation among minorities, students and the elderly. 

"We have got to push back forcefully against this effort to create voter suppression laws in this country. It is just inconsistent with American values and inconsistent with democracy. It is though as in the 21st century we are going to block the path to the ballot⁷ box," said Morial.

The Urban League is launching several campaigns to increase voter turnout among Black Americans in November. They include an online election center to provide information on voting requirements. The league also hopes to conduct get-out-the-vote drives. In the 2008 election won by President Barack Obama, more than 65 percent of eligible⁸ black voters turned up at the polls, about the same percentage as eligible white voters. 

Education faces budget reductions

The National Urban League report also is critical of proposed state and federal cuts to education investment, which it says will hurt minority students. The league is calling for efforts to expand educational opportunities for young African-Americans and prepare them for college. 

Raequan Jones was homeless and ready to give up on an education, but thanks to a program designed to re-engage high school students, his grades improved and he got financial aid to attend a university. 

"By me inspiring people is just being that positive role model, making sure that I complete everything [my education] that I set out to do, not only going and achieving my goals, but actually going above and beyond my goals," said Jones.

The civil rights group also supports jobs training legislation intended to reduce high unemployment in minority communities. The National Urban League says it will push the government to create more programs that train low-skilled workers and young people for jobs when the economy improves. 

1 condemning   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
• I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

3 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

4 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

7 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

8 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。