A school shooting in Tennessee that happened on March 27, 2023, has sparked a new wave of student protests. As many as 7,000 students marched to the Tennesse state capitol to express their fears and frustrations over the lack of gun legislation in the state. The chants from students fell on the deaf ears of lawmakers. However, there were three lawmakers who heard these cries loud and clear. These three members are Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson. Together these three members stood with the students and joined in chanting with them. These actions led to the Republican supermajority voting to expel all three of these members. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson ended up being expelled from the Tennessee state legislature, while Gloria Johnson was one vote short of being expelled. It is important to note the racial dynamic that plays a role in the expulsion of Jones and Pearson. Was this a display to silence Black voices in Tennessee, an attempt to disenfranchise progressive voters in the state of Tennessee? Luckily, Jones and Pearson are both known for their activism and we most certainly have not heard the last from them. Nonetheless, it is harrowing to see Jones and Pearson face this blatant attack on their identities.
These Tennesse lawmakers have set the precedent that there is not free speech for those who are minorities. There is not free speech if you are against conversative ideals. Christian nationalism and authoritarianism are finding their ways through the cracks of American democracy and infesting the entire country. What is the state of our nation if those elected to do their jobs cannot even do so, simply for their beliefs or the color of their skin?
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