The RaceWire Beat is a digest of the day’s top news stories on race and politics collected by the staff at ColorLines magazine. Block the Vote: The 10 Worst Places to Cast a Ballot American democracy’s glaring weak spots include machines that count backward, slice-and-dice districts, felon baiting, phone jamming and plenty of dirty tricks. A Sweatshop Behind Bars The nation’s prison industry now employs more people than any Fortune 500 corporation except General Motors. Is prison labor rehab or corporate slavery? Blacks Looking to Represent White Districts Create Mixed Feelings Having gained control over most predominantly Black political districts, an increasing number of African-Americans are campaigning to represent majority white districts. It’s Not a Zero-Sum Game Community organizers examine the truth and myths of a racial divide in Los Angeles. Teacher Charged After Uproar Over Arabic A substitute teacher lashes out at fellow teachers and students when she hears other languages in the classroom.