American Notes: Supreme Court

Since Clarence Thomas joined the Supreme Court in October, legal experts have been watching to see how he decides cases involving the rights of blacks. Last week the high court's only black member joined the conservative majority in a ruling that curtailed a key civil rights law.

The case involved the Voting Rights Act, which requires most Southern states to get approval from the U.S. Justice Department before changing their electoral laws in ways that could dilute minorities' voting strength. The Bush Administration unsuccessfully argued that the white-controlled boards of supervisors in two Alabama counties had violated the act by taking away individual members' control of road-building and other construction funds in their districts. Their actions were taken when whites expected blacks to win seats on the board. The court ruled that such changes do not violate the law because they have no "direct" impact on voting. Civil rights advocates fear that this narrow interpretation will make it harder for minorities to translate their electoral victories into governmental clout.