1. What is the main idea of Mr. Riley’s commentary?

2. Which of the following facts are surprising to you? Why do you think this is so?

• According to the Census Bureau, the black voter-turnout rate in 2012 exceeded the white turnout rate, even in states with the strictest voter-ID requirements. (para. 7)
• Black poverty fell 40 percentage points between 1940 and 1960 - a drop that no Great Society antipoverty program has ever come close to matching. (para. 10)

3. Re-read the comments made by Selma’s mayor, George Evans. Listen to his interview below. What do you think of Mayor Evans’ contrary view to that of the NPR interviewer on Selma 50 years ago and race relations today?