The Tennessee Three

As a writer, I often speak on what’s in my heart, what affects me and the things that matter.

On this latest episode of Being Black in America...

Recent gun violence has and continues to take its toll on so many lives. Losing a loved one at the hands of evil is the most unimaginable pain to have to face. After the shooting in Uvalde, Texas last year, my hope was shattered, it was devastating to know that so many bright young smiles were taken away.

​And here we are again. Another mass shooting in Nashville Tennessee that took the lives of three 9 year old students and three adults. When does it end and when will change happen?

Well… Rep. Gloria Johnson, Rep. Justin Jones & Rep. Justin Pearson staged a demonstration on the House floor calling for gun reform and leading chants with a bullhorn. In an effort to have their voices heard after their microphones were cut off whenever they raised the topic of discussion, they took matters into their own hands to get their points across by any means necessary.
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But no one ever likes to address the elephant in the room.  Imagine that

Two of the state representatives were expelled.  And what a shocker, they just happen to be black.  Rep. Gloria Johnson was not expelled although she participated in the same demonstration.
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The message is loud, but far from clear. Saying that Jones and Pearson had a “history” of being disruptive during proceedings is backed by nothing but fear of those who are outspoken and go against the grain. What that actually means, they should have known their place as two young, powerful and brave black men and only said what the others wanted them to hear.

I commend these young leaders for speaking up, for making steps towards a change even if those who don’t agree try to silence them.  The ignorance is amazingly scary… this has only wakened so many who will walk with them.

I stand in support of their message, their commitment, the bravery it took to be bold, to speak up and be looked at as strange and different and most of all I pray for this continued fight and their safety.
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PROTECT KIDS NOT GUNS

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#thetennesseethree #gunreform #protectkidsnotguns

​~AJ 🙏🏾