"Anyone got a minute to talk about gerrymandering?" Laura Moser, a candidate running for the 7th Congressional District seat in Texas, asked her Twitter followers on Dec. 3, 2017.
Candidate Laura Moser. Photo courtesy of Laura Moser for Congress.
Gerrymandering may sound like a silly term coined in an episode of "Seinfeld," but as Moser explained, it's anything but.
In a fiery tweet thread following her initial question, Moser spelled out why gerrymandering is, to be frank, the absolute worst.
Moser's district in Houston — like many across the U.S. — has been heavily gerrymandered. That's why its voting boundaries look like this:
1. Anyone got a minute to talk about gerrymandering? It may not sound exciting, but it's a big reason why Texas is… https://t.co/jiEhTD12xe— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312377
To be sure, as Moser pointed out, there are even more bizarrely shaped districts across the country. Take this one in Chicago, for example.
2. From this distance, it looks like a chunk of Houston. A little oddly shaped, but there are lots of weirder ones,… https://t.co/EP3eyueUFU— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312516
Then there's the entire state of North Carolina, which gerrymandering's turned into the weirdest blue-and-red jigsaw puzzle imaginable.
3. And check out what they've done to North Carolina: https://t.co/hSIFFvRomf— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312589
But Moser's own 7th District in Texas is still pretty bad.
Not every odd-looking boundary is suspicious, of course. Naturally formed borders like rivers may alter district boundaries a bit, Moser explained.
4. Some of the jagged lines in the Texas 7th are easy to explain. That's Buffalo Bayou up on top. https://t.co/dzteYorxTH— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312748
But when specific blocks within neighborhoods have been redrawn to conveniently slip into different districts? It makes you wonder, she tweeted, "Why ... is one block of Linkwood Drive excluded from the district?"
5. But let's zoom in a little more, where things start to get really bizarre. Why, for example, is one block of Lin… https://t.co/5kg4KcguSC— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312873
"Or here, in my neighborhood of West University: why are half of Pemberton and Fenwood in a different district?" she asked.
6. Or here, in my neighborhood of West University: why are half of Pemberton and Fenwood in a different district? https://t.co/s0WGaqcnOY— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512312947
Like, honestly, Houstonians, what is happening with Jersey Village? As Moser pointed out, things there are getting "pretty baroque."
7. And things start getting pretty baroque up in Jersey Village. https://t.co/o66iI2FZoC— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512313010
Nope, a drunk guy didn't map out the 7th District in Houston (or any of these other districts).
"If it seems like whoever drew these lines must have been drunk, think again: this is part of a very calculated campaign," Moser tweeted.
8. If it seems like whoever drew these lines must have been drunk, think again: this is part of a very calculated c… https://t.co/8GfBkghkOI— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512313079
And race (read: racism) has a lot to do with it.
9. The reason? Basically, racism: putting "minority" voters in as few districts as possible. https://t.co/wW4NrZhczm— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512313168
Gerrymandering has the potential to significantly dampen the political power of neighborhoods of color (or those that are poor or younger).
10. Why do I put "minority" in quotes? Because ethnic minorities are actually the majority in our city, which is th… https://t.co/x9HuWbdeC1— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512313242
This is how it works:
Basically, gerrymandering is the manipulation of voting district boundaries by politicians to give their party an advantage on Election Day. In other words, politicians can quietly redraw district lines to consolidate or split up certain voting blocs — based on race, religion, socioeconomic status, education level, etc. — to favor their own candidacy or party.
Both parties are guilty of applying this trickery. But the GOP has held majorities across most state legislatures where district boundaries are decided since 2010, and they've abused this ethically challenged privilege far more than their Democrat counterparts.
Take Wisconsin, for example. After Republicans in control there redrew district lines in 2011 — packing left-leaning voters into certain areas when it was politically advantageous, then spreading them out when it wasn't — a court ruled the actions were an attempt to cement an electoral infrastructure favorable to the GOP.
The proof's in the pudding, after all: In the Wisconsin election held after the new district lines went into effect, Republicans won just 48.6% of votes for the state assembly, yet still earned a 60-to-39 seat majority.
The Supreme Court heard arguments for the case in October 2017. The court's decision will likely affect gerrymandering laws for decades to come.
In Houston, Moser argues, "minority" voters are being corralled into districts to give Republicans a larger advantage.
"But WE ARE THE MAJORITY. In Texas and in the nation," she wrote. "The majority of decent Americans who believes in fairness, in treating people with respect."
@CongCulberson 14. But WE ARE THE MAJORITY. In Texas and in the nation. The majority of decent Americans who believ… https://t.co/8VddoJGC53— Laura Moser (@Laura Moser) 1512313853
Her Twitter thread struck a chord with many voters concerned about how gerrymandering will affect votes in Houston — and the rest of the country. As of this writing, the thread has been retweeted nearly 17,000 times.
Moser credits the tweet's virality to people waking up to an increasingly rigged system.
"I hope we can start fighting for the most basic of principles, one that everyone, regardless of party or region, race or income, can agree on: every American should have an equal vote," she says. "If we want citizens to get involved in our democracy, we better make sure it really is a democracy."
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.