Secure ID and Racism/Classism

So, my ID expires, and thanks to a fantastic new initiative to reduce ID fraud, I have to prove my identity to the Great State Of Georgia. Again.

http://www.dds.ga.gov/secureid/Faqdocs.aspx

Like I did when I first moved here.
Like I did 2 weeks after I got married.

Here is the list of things I need to provide to RENEW my existing ID: (there are multiple choices in each category, but these are the things I have selected for myself

1) Proof of Identity: Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (which I provided in 2003, when I arrived; in 2006,  when I applied for my marriage license, albeit to the Vital Records Office; and again to the DMV when I changed my name on my license)

2) Social Security Card: (provided as above)

3) Residential Address: requires TWO documents, again, provided in the first place utility bill and bank statement.

4) Marriage Certificate. In case I've somehow managed to get my name changed on my license without providing all this crap in the first place.

I am currently trying to teach my kids a unit on government. Just the basics, they're only 5 and 7. But I have to keep walking away from it because I can't seem to get past the ridiculous racism and classism that these new ID laws embody.

http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-the-racism-underlying-voter-id-20141020-column.html

Now, part of the problem is that the TSA/Homeland Security Real ID act. I do not even pretend to understand how gathering up all this stuff will prevent terrorism or hurricanes or whatever it is that they're claiming to protect us from with this bit of security theatre. Typical fear mongering and saber rattling. I almost don't even notice it anymore.

But what drives this particular nonsense into the category of racist is the GA voter id law.

Even though the law was upheld by the State Supreme Court, it was only after providing an alternative ID at no cost to persons who are not able to obtain a regular ID or DL. Not that the paperwork requirements are any less stringent, mind you, but the ID itself is free. A social security card is free. A birth certificate is not. I'm sure you can make the argument that adults should have copies of these things. And you'd be correct. But what if you weren't born in the state you live? If you want a vital record from Massachusetts, it will set you back $50. Louisiana requires you to have a photo ID already. if you are ordering in person, or you can pay double to order from the internet through a third party provider. so $15 to walk up or $30 by mail (not including shipping, which starts at $20, US mail is free, but the website actively discourages you from selecting this option, by making this option the lowest priority for processing, which means it can take up to 3 weeks to get your documents.) What if you've had a flood or fire, even if you do live in the state of your birth?

I'm lucky. I'm a full time parent, with a working car, and the disposable income to replace documents as needed. But not everyone can play doc hunt. For some people, the cost means they have to go without meals or put off the utilities and hope they don't get cut off. For some, using the gas to trek across town could mean a scramble to get to work. For some, this IS an unreasonable burden. And those people are overwhelmingly poor and/or not white.

And that is why secure ID and voter ID laws are racist and classist.