As a student of the Constitution, I have had an appreciation of the true magnitude of the recent threat to America.

For the past four years, America faced a greater threat to the promises and ideals of the Declaration of Independence than ever before.

The Japanese at Pearl Harbor and al-Qaida on 9/11 cared not one iota as to your fundamental rights. They posed no challenge to your right to vote or to equal protection under the law.

But if you are one of those Americans whose rights had been established or protected by a U.S. Supreme Court case — minorities, women, gays, lesbians, trans citizens, immigrants, to name a few — then your rights have been under attack during the past four years.

On Election Day, American voters came to the defense of those rights.

But if any one group can be pointed to as the heroes of this democracy, it is Black voters. Ninety percent of Black voters supported Democrat Joe Biden, according to The Associated Press. They powered Mr. Biden to victory in the presidential election.

Black voters had our backs.

All who voted to protect the rights of all Americans should be viewed as heroes, but Black women in particular.

If you see a Black voter today, give that person an appreciative nod and thanks.

DAVID P. BAUGH

Richmond