Benjamin Barber

Democracy Program Coordinator

Benjamin Barber is the democracy program coordinator at the Institute for Southern Studies, a contributing writer for Facing South, and a graduate of the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a bachelor's degree in history from Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Benjamin previously interned with the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama and with Facing South. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on voting rights, democracy, and Southern history.

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Articles by Benjamin Barber

Politics

New Democratic Senate majority opens path to democracy reforms

By Benjamin Barber

January 29, 2021 - Now in control of the U.S. Senate, Democrats motivated by the Jan. 6 extremist attack on the U.S. Capitol are determined to pass legislation that will combat the current threats to U.S. democracy and fortify election systems that have been undermined by voter suppression and misleading claims of election fraud.

Political scientist Angie Maxwell on countering the 'Long Southern Strategy'

By Benjamin Barber

January 22, 2021 - The University of Arkansas professor who co-wrote a book on the Republican Party's decades-long effort to win white Southerners' support through coded and not-so-coded appeals to racism, sexism, and Christian nationalism talks with Facing South about where that approach stands today — and what the election results in Georgia tell us about its future.

Violent far-right rallies fueled by baseless voter fraud claims

By Benjamin Barber

January 15, 2021 - For over a decade the Republican Party has engaged in a mass propaganda campaign to delegitimize the electoral process with false claims of voter fraud. Now, this strategy has sparked a violent reaction from right-wing extremists who refuse to accept the outcome of the presidential election.

Politics

Deep canvassing effort in Georgia aims to flip the U.S. Senate

By Benjamin Barber

December 17, 2020 - With Georgians now casting early ballots in two runoff races that will determine partisan control of the U.S. Senate, organizers are going all out to mobilize voters — and that includes in-depth, heart-to-heart conversations about what's at stake for them.

First-time voters played a decisive role in the 2020 elections

By Benjamin Barber

December 3, 2020 - First-time voters including young people, former felons, and newly naturalized citizens proved to be a crucial voting bloc in many races nationwide including in Georgia, which a Democratic presidential candidate hadn't won in 28 years. Experts predict that these first-time voters will continue to play an important role in shaping Southern and national politics.

Election problems show why Congress needs to restore the Voting Rights Act

By Benjamin Barber

November 18, 2020 - Black voters turned out in record numbers this election cycle but had to overcome barriers to the ballot box that undermine the fairness of the electoral process. Advocates continue to call for restoring the Voting Rights Act to ensure that African American voters are protected from voter suppression.

The South's low-wage workers are building 'a movement that votes'

By Benjamin Barber

October 28, 2020 - As Election Day approaches, frontline workers and anti-poverty activists are encouraging eligible low-wage voters in the nation's poorest region to take part in this year's election in hopes of electing leaders who will support a living wage and respond to the needs of low-wealth communities.

Benjamin Barber

Democracy Program Coordinator

Articles by Benjamin Barber

New Democratic Senate majority opens path to democracy reforms

Political scientist Angie Maxwell on countering the 'Long Southern Strategy'

Violent far-right rallies fueled by baseless voter fraud claims

Deep canvassing effort in Georgia aims to flip the U.S. Senate

First-time voters played a decisive role in the 2020 elections

Election problems show why Congress needs to restore the Voting Rights Act

The South's low-wage workers are building 'a movement that votes'

We are building a better South.