I was recruited by the leadership of OneVirginia2021 two years ago to lead this organization, and it's the best professional decision I've ever made.
Bill Oglesby: I teach the capstone documentary course in Virginia Commonwealth University's mass communications program. Community Idea Stations (Richmond PBS) approached me and asked if I would be interested in producing and directing a documentary on gerrymandering and redistricting reform. It took me little time to answer affirmatively, because I have long had an interest both in politics and this issue in particular.
Lawmakers by nature will only act to change that which their constituents demand. That's why it is so important that people educate themselves about this issue and demand reform. If lawmakers come to believe that enough people care and are prepared to do what is necessary to make sure reform happens, that's when they will act to correct this egregious system.
MAB: Thank you. After watching your movie, GerryRIGGED, I was much clearer on why redistricting is a critical issue. The movie reveals that the problems associated with Gerrymandering are much more important than they appear to be on the surface. Can you share a little about that "optical illusion" with our readers?
Oglesby: There's a bit of a "butterfly effect" that comes with gerrymandering. Nothing in politics is ever the same when the elected representatives are there because of a rigged system. When district lines are drawn to dramatically favor the incumbent (or the incumbent's party), uncontested races become the norm. When incumbents don't have to worry about a challenge from the other major party, they worry only about a challenge from within their own party. That leads to a lack of moderation so as to appeal to base voters on the far right or far left. That leads to hyper-partisanship and gridlock, which is the sad state of affairs we see today where neither party talks to the other in any meaningful way, and compromise becomes a dirty word.
MAB: How does Gerrymandering in Virginia compare to other states?
Cannon: We are one of the worst. Up there with us are our fellow mid-Atlantic states, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina. Some of it has to do with our racial diversity and the rivers carving up our state.
Oglesby: Also, the process of drawing new district lines every ten years is left up to the state legislature. These lawmakers vote with impunity to draw lines that guarantee their own reelection, because there are so few criteria demanding they act in the public interest.
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