Louisiana's 1964 Voter Literacy Test (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Give it a shot

Good job, Louisiana!

The circa 1964 Louisiana literacy test is typical of the tests used throughout the South before passage of the Voting Rights Act to deny Blacks — and other non-whites — the right to vote. (The test is quite atypical and unique to Louisiana in that year.) While state law mandated that the test be given to everyone who could not verify that they had at least a 5th-grade education, in real life almost all Blacks were forced to to take it even if they had a college degree while whites were often excused from taking it no matter how little education they had.

Determination of who "passed" and who "failed" was entirely up to the whim of the Registrar of Voters — all of whom were white. In actuality, whites almost always "passed" no matter how many questions they missed, and Blacks almost always "failed" in the selective judgement of the Registrar. On the 1963 test, for example, the Registrar was free to choose which portion of the Constitution to dictate — simple or complex — and was then the sole judge of the applicants written response (and where required their oral interpretation). The "citizenship test" component then asked questions about government and law, many of them obscure, and few people — Black or white — could correctly answer them all without advance study. If you were Black and missed one question you "failed," if you were white and couldn't even read the questions, you "passed."

As you can see, on the 1964, test the questions were deliberately designed to be tricky and confusing. For example, Question 20 reads: "Spell backwards, forwards." Answers by whites would be judged correct no matter what they wrote. But Blacks who wrote both words but forgot to include the comma would be failed, or if they included the comma they would be failed for that, or if they just wrote "backwards" they would be failed for not including the word "forwards." Or if they wrote "backwards" instead of sdrawkcab they'd be failed for that and the same for vice-versa.

 

[jon_mx]

Southern Democrats were the worst.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Southern Democrats were the worst.

Yep. And they were all forced to become Republicans in the '60s thanks to pressure from the real Democrats.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I think a significant % of Americans would have difficult getting all ten right. >20%

 

[Tiger Fan]

So Louisiana was racist 50 years ago. Is this really surprising?

 

[Raider Nation]

So Louisiana was racist 50 years ago. Is this really surprising?

Was?

 

[Fennis]

I'm surprised #7 doesn’t ask for the cross to be burning.

 

[jon_mx]

Southern Democrats were the worst.

Yep. And they were all forced to become Republicans in the '60s thanks to pressure from the real Democrats.

Not true. republicans believe in equal protection under the law and that was largely accomplished. Democrats just figured out they could buy the black vote. Southern Democrats were a much different animal.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I would've passed.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I think a significant % of Americans would have difficult getting all ten right. >20%

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Southern Democrats were the worst.

Yep. And they were all forced to become Republicans in the '60s thanks to pressure from the real Democrats.

Not true. republicans believe in equal protection under the law and that was largely accomplished. Democrats just figured out they could buy the black vote. Southern Democrats were a much different animal.

The pre-1950s southern Republicans may have believed in equal protection, but those people were an extreme minority in the south. It was so bad for southern Republicans that they didn't even bother running candidates in most elections.

Your claim that equal protection was "largely accomplished" is a total fabrication, as the Republican party had almost zero influence in the south from 1870-1950.

Once the Democratic Party forced out the bigots in the 1950s, they all went to the one place that would welcome them with open arms: the Republican Party.

 

[Raider Nation]

I think we're gonna need Tim to settle this.

 

[jwp]

I think I'd wad it up into a ball and throw it at them after reading the first question.

 

[mr roboto]

There are a couple questions on there that I'm having a hard time believing were written by a native English speaker.

 

[Mario Kart]

I think a significant % of Americans would have difficult getting all ten right. >20%

Considering the fact there are 13 questions... I think you're onto something.

 

[jon_mx]

Southern Democrats were the worst.

Yep. And they were all forced to become Republicans in the '60s thanks to pressure from the real Democrats.

Not true. republicans believe in equal protection under the law and that was largely accomplished. Democrats just figured out they could buy the black vote. Southern Democrats were a much different animal.

The pre-1950s southern Republicans may have believed in equal protection, but those people were an extreme minority in the south. It was so bad for southern Republicans that they didn't even bother running candidates in most elections.

Your claim that equal protection was "largely accomplished" is a total fabrication, as the Republican party had almost zero influence in the south from 1870-1950.

Once the Democratic Party forced out the bigots in the 1950s, they all went to the one place that would welcome them with open arms: the Republican Party.

Your history sucks. The southern Democrats were not forced out in the 50's, they were alive and well into the late 60's, which by that time they lost virtually everything they believed in and ceased being a force.It puzzles me why Democrats don't embrace their racist history.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

The southern Democrats were not forced out in the 50's, they were alive and well into the late 60's, which by that time they lost virtually everything they believed in and ceased being a force became Republicans.

Fixed for truth.

 

[jon_mx]

The southern Democrats were not forced out in the 50's, they were alive and well into the late 60's, which by that time they lost virtually everything they believed in and ceased being a force became Republicans.

Fixed for truth.

Not really. For instance the Gore's stayed Democrats. The fact is they lost their racist battles as Democrats.

 

[Apple Jack]

I hope somebody advised these geniuses that a "line" cannot be "around" anything.

 

[Raider Nation]

I hope somebody advised these geniuses than a "line" cannot be "around" anything.

Just a clever way to further deceive the blacks, IMO. Whitey assumed they knew what a circle was.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

 

[DSP]

I think a significant % of Americans would have difficult getting all ten right. >20%

Considering the fact there are 13 questions... I think you're onto something.

Lol

 

[jon_mx]

I hope somebody advised these geniuses than a "line" cannot be "around" anything.

It is also impossible to draw a line from circle 2 to circle 5 which goes above circle 4.

 

[Apple Jack]

I hope somebody advised these geniuses than a "line" cannot be "around" anything.

Just a clever way to further deceive the blacks, IMO. Whitey assumed they knew what a circle was.

I can't tell if it's written for people to fail or if the people who wrote it are just half-witted.

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

 

[Apple Jack]

I think a significant % of Americans would have difficult getting all ten right. >20%

Considering the fact there are 13 questions... I think you're onto something.

 

[jon_mx]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

I think they are asking to cross out the sixth zero although any of the first 6 zeros would be necessary to make 1,000,000.

 

[Raider Nation]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

Why wouldn't you cross out the last four zeroes?

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

 

[jon_mx]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

Why wouldn't you cross out the last four zeroes?

Because they only asked you to cross out one number and it has to be necessary to make a million.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the answer to number 11?I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

Why wouldn't you cross out the last four zeroes?

The problem says to cross out a number, not numbers (which is why I got confused) I think people are saying to cross out a zero in the middle, I guess creating two distinct numbers left over but that is not really how the question reads. I thought it wanted just a single number left over.

 

[Raider Nation]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

Why wouldn't you cross out the last four zeroes?

Because they only asked you to cross out one number and it has to be necessary to make a million.

I took it as a misprint. Number(s).

Either that, or I wouldn't be allowed to vote.

 

[Apple Jack]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

I should just not vote .

 

[Apple Jack]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

I should just not vote .

I hope whoever wrote the test was forbidden from voting in Louisiana that year.

 

[jon_mx]

Hmmm. I rethink question 11. I think they meant for you to cross out 1000000 and leave the 4 extra zeros uncrossed.

 

[Raider Nation]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

That didn't even occur to me. Interesting interpretation.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

I should just not vote .

I hope whoever wrote the test was forbidden from voting in Louisiana that year procreating.

 

[Apple Jack]

Hmmm. I rethink question 11. I think they meant for you to cross out 1000000 and leave the 4 extra zeros uncrossed.

For some reason my eyes saw that as billion the first time yet I still came back here and said million. Yeah, that's absurd. I would have probably crossed out four zeroes.

 

[Apple Jack]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

That didn't even occur to me. Interesting interpretation.

Just about every line of instruction on the test refers to something within or in proximity to the text. One of them refers to letters "below." I guess I just assumed that the use of "below" was a continuation of the context of it's prior use. Though, I suspect it's more a case of wanting people to fail than somebody being horrendously bad at writing test questions.

 

[Raider Nation]

There's definitely intentional ambiguity going on here. Easier to deny people.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

There's definitely intentional ambiguity going on here. Easier to deny people.

You don't say.

 

[Raider Nation]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the answer to number 11?

I think I would cross out the number 1 to leave a value of zero, but the question is confusing at best. It does not say cross out the numbers (plural).

Just cross out a zero.

My eyes suck so I might be miscounting the zero's but it looks like crossing out one zero leave you with exactly 1 million which does not answer the question.

I see what you are saying. They are using "below" to say "beneath the sentence", rather than less in value than one million.

That didn't even occur to me. Interesting interpretation.

that is the engineer in me. I always read things as equations but I believe Apple Jack is 100% correct in that it meant "below the line" and not "< than 1,000,000"

I still would have failed this. Hell I think I had to guess on question 1 as I am still not sure exactly what they were asking.

 

[fatness]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Is he white or black?

 

[DSP]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Meat

 

[Raider Nation]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Meat

Cheater.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Louisiana was also the first place in the nation where free men and women of color had rights, owned property, and could sue in court - this was well before the civil war. After the civil war active black and white citizens groups brought landmark cases challenging the meaning and definition, and even the existence of race. Among other victories they achieved the notable dissent in Plessy which called for a color blind society and law, a statement of law our own USSC has still yet to adopt.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Future Wheelhouse voter literacy tests.

 

[Raider Nation]

Question #14

A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Future Wheelhouse voter literacy tests.

Let's do this!

 

[Ilov80s]

They can fail anyone they want. If you circled or boxed in an answer, it's not a line. If you underlined an answer, it wasn't around the answer. Also, I assume most of us could skip the test by proving we have a fifth grade education. Obviously if you got through the fifth grade, you must be quite politically savvy.