"The eventual successes of voting rights movements are less a testament to the American political system's capacity to incorporate excluded groups

"The eventual successes of voting rights movements are less a testament to the American political system's capacity to incorporate excluded groups than a reminder of how much that system advantages those defending the status quo. What is truly striking is how long reform generally took, and how partial and fragile it often was when it finally arrived."

For my POLI SCI 1 class we have to evaluate this argument and develop it into and essay. Essentially, we are seeking to take a stance on the quote. I've been struggling to fully understand what the quote is saying when it talks about defending the status quo. I need help rephrasing the quote into a question, because I think that would clear up my confusion and and allow me to proceed with an outline. Any help would be much appreciated.