On: A near impossible literacy test Louisiana used to ...

[oersted]

There's obvious utility in learning about the specific tools and methods that have been successfully employed in the past to enforce covert oppression in a democracy, so we can collectively protect against them.

If you want a more down-to-earth argument: it's just plain interesting and there's good constructive discussion to be had about it.

PS: The website is called Open Culture: The best free cultural & education media on the web. I'm not sure what you mean by "tech blog", if you are referring to HN, non-tech posts are fairly common here and they are valued.

[even_639765 → oersted]

>There's obvious utility in learning about the specific tools and methods that have b

Because these tests are in widespread use today?

If you have to root around in the distant past to demonstrate a present grievance, maybe you don't have one.