It’s easy to lose sight of our Constitution’s enduring legacy when right wing zealots try to play handball with our fundamental — and legally enshrined — rights. But yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act, a pivotal milestone in the ongoing struggle for black voters to engage fully in this country’s democracy. Celebrations have taken place across the country this week, including in Selma, the sight of Bloody Sunday, and Washington D.C., where Democrats are using the anniversary to help tally up votes for November’s midterm elections.

We’re taking a look back at the historic vote, and the complicated realities that have besieged black voter participation ever since.