Tennessee Democrat says evictions are ‘more about control than racism’

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Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said Sunday the recent expulsions of two black Democratic lawmakers from the state were an “embarrassment” to the state, but argued it was “more of a problem of control than racist”.

The expulsions of Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones (Nashville) and Rep. Justin Pearson (Memphis) came after they participated in a protest against gun violence. Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), a white woman and third member of the so-called “Tennessee Three” who participated in the protests, survived a vote to oust her.

“A lot of people have reached out to me via email and phone to say they never thought Tennessee was that type of state, that we were different. Now they put us in the bottom tier of states and they find that reprehensible, and it certainly looks racist. I think it was more about control than racism. But it was just too heavy,” Cohen said.

Johnson was candid about how race played a role in how she and her two colleagues were treated. “It might have to do with the color of our skin,” she told reporters after the vote, according to footage from local outlet WSMV 4 Nashville.

“I’m a 60-year-old white woman and these are two young black men,” she told CNN.

Jones also said his race played a role in his expulsion. “One member basically called me a cocky nigger,” Jones said on MSNBC.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus also condemned the Tennessee House for the move.

“The targeted expulsions of Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson — two duly elected black members representing minority districts — make it clear that racism is alive and well in Tennessee,” he said in a statement.

Cohen said Sunday he thought Tennessee House Speaker Republican Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) was “very offended” by Jones, Pearson and Johnson entering the well to protest “because he’s basically controlling the well,” and hinted that the President had no “affection” for lawmakers.

“I don’t think he had a fondness for either of those two young African-American lawmakers who’ve only been here a few months, probably not Ms. Johnson either. They are outspoken and they do their job of representing their constituents,” Cohen said.

“The process was one where I think it went beyond the President. He had no concept or imagination to think it would go national and the bad image would put Tennessee in it.

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Cohen argued that the legislature had “rushed” to an expulsion vote, when rule violations could have been dealt with by less extreme means, such as censorship or committee assignment restrictions. Jones, Pearson and Johnson had already been removed from committee duties before the eviction votes.

Jones and Pearson said they plan to return to the state house if nominated to lead their respective districts in the interim before a special election — and then run in those special elections to regain their seats.

Cohen said on Sunday that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (right) should get involved to make sure Jones and Pearson have “no problem” if they are reinstalled.

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