The recent events in Nashville, Tennessee, are a tragic reminder of the systemic racism still prevalent in our society. Two young black legislators, Justin Pearson, and Justin Jones, were expelled from the city's legislative body for speaking out about the lack of new gun legislation. This is a clear indication of the racial bias present in the Nashville legislature.
While a white female legislator has been charged with the same violation, she was not expelled. This is discriminatory behavior that still exists today. The actions taken against Pearson and Jones are reminiscent of those taken against Julian Bond and Adam Clayton Powell in the past. It is disheartening to see history repeating itself in such a manner. Jones and Pearson, along with Gloria Johnson, referred to as the Tennessee Three, have rightfully called the legislators' actions a shameful temper tantrum. This was not about following the rules but rather an attempt to silence the voices of those fighting for justice. The protestors highlighted the situation's urgency, chanting, "You ban the books, you ban the while kids are still in body bags." It is time for legislators to take action and enact meaningful gun legislation that will protect our citizens, especially our children. The protestors were referred to as "uppity Negroes," a term reminiscent of the Jim Crow era. It is clear that racism is still pervasive in our society, and we must continue to fight against it. We must stand up and demand equality for all. We cannot allow the actions of a few individuals to silence the voices of those fighting for justice. The civil rights movement may have started decades ago, but it is far from over. |
|
