If African-Americans wish to be more assimilated into the American mainstream, they should be willing to accept the possibility of fewer minority representatives in Congress. In 1811, Governor Elbridge Gerry created an elongated 6th Congressional District in Massachusetts to insure Federalist party representation. The shape of the district resembled a salamander. Because of continual attempts to gerrymander both to increase minority representation in Congress as well as deliberate efforts to improve the electoral chances of different political parties, the courts have been drawn into often lengthy disputes. To avoid the abuse of the redistricting process an algorithmic solution ought to be employed.
Districts ought to drawn by formula.
There are many reasonable constraints that could be applied to redistricting. It would be preferable if districts avoided crossing geographical boundaries and splitting communities. However, the problem of redrawing districts quickly becomes overconstrained. Simple criteria such as minimizing population deviation between districts while maintaining district compactness would enjoy the most widespread acceptance. Although the schemes require significant modification so that they could be unambiguously applied, the benefits of freeing up political process from the rancor accompanying redistricting each decade are worth it.