Justin Jones and Justin Pearson Prove Tennessee GOP Learned No Lesson After Heated Racism Debate

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The bust of Nathan Bedford Forresta, a Confederate general and the Ku Klux Klan’s first Grand Dragon, was finally removed from the Tennessee capital two years ago. But his spirit was still present in an edited recording of the meeting of GOP members of the States House on April 10, three days after he expelled two black representatives for violating decorum.

Where Forrest once spoke South and North, GOP Rep. Scott Cepicky speaks right and left in the recording, which was released by the progressive news site Tennessee Holler. (The Tennessean confirmed the audio was from a closed caucus meeting.)

If you don’t believe we were at war for our republic, with all my love and respect for you, you need a different job, Cepicky can be heard saying on the recording. The left wants Tennessee so badly because if it catches us, the Southeast falls and it’s over for the republic.

This is not a neighborhood social gathering, continues Cepicky. We are fighting for the republic of our country right now. And the world is watching us; Will we hold on? I received several phone calls from other representatives, I was hoping that you would stand up because maybe you will give us the courage to stand up and push back what will destroy our republic.

Cepicky blames fellow GOP Rep. Jody Barrett, who didn’t vote to kick out a third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), during the resolution that kicked out Johnsons’ fellow Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis). She didn’t do the things that were in the resolution, Barrett complains in the recording.

The fact that concerned his fellow Republicans at the meeting was that Johnson had been saved from expulsion by a single vote; this meant that a white woman was spared while two young black men were expelled. Johnson and his fellow Democrats were quick to suggest that race had been a deciding factor.

All I’ve heard from them is that it’s the most racist place, Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) can be heard complaining on the recording. Good God, they’re not our friends.

Sharing Cepicky’s paranoid vision, he adds: They destroy the Republic and the foundation of who we are, or we preserve it. This is where we are.

To make matters worse for the GOP, Jones had been reinstated by his county commission in Nashville on the same day as the registered GOP rally. Jones, who as a young activist had led protests against Bedford Forret’s bust in the State House, was due to resume his seat when the House went into session that evening.

I’m going to have to swallow this to see Mr. Jones come back here walking through those hallowed halls where the Tennessee greats stood, Cepicky said. You must do what is right. Even if you think it might be wrong. You gotta do what’s right and you gotta protect this fucking republic here in Tennessee.

The replay of the meeting was posted online Thursday, just as Jones, Johnson and Pearson, dubbed The Tennessee Three, became a trifecta nightmare for the GOP. Pearson had also been reinstated by his county committee in Memphis, and busloads of his constituents arrived in Nashville that morning to see him sworn in.

As this ceremony took place outside the Capitol, the House went into session. Newly sworn Pearson then entered the chamber and the Tennessee Three were reunited on the floor. The first order of business was an amendment to House Bill 1376, the Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Speech and Transparency Act.

The bill was introduced by GOP Rep. John Ragan, chair of the education committee. He explained that his goal was to outlaw divisive concepts, promote free speech and educational excellence, and keep colleges about advancing knowledge, not personal, political, or social agendas.

Cameron Sexton, the Speaker of the House, asked if there had been any discussion of the bill. Jones was the first to speak.

Don’t you think students are mature enough to talk about issues like race? Jones started.

I believe in God, replied Ragan. Everything else is settled by facts and data.

That’s not an answer, Jones said. Let’s try again. Do you believe that students are mature enough to handle conversations about systemic racism and the history of oppression in America that you are trying to ban under this bill?

I’ve already answered your question, sir, said Ragan. He and Jones then had a heated exchange over what might have prompted Ragan to draft the bill, which Jones described as being based on fears of white fragility to teach the truth of history. Ragan admitted that a dean of college education, whom he knew personally, had contributed to it, but declined to name the person.

Representative Ragan, you grew up in a time when America was segregated, Jones said. Under this bill, we cannot teach this history. So I’m just trying to figure out how are we going to be honest about our history if you ban any concept of America’s racist history.

Your assertion is incorrect, sir, Ragan replied. It does not prohibit discussing it.

Jones noted that the bill explicitly prohibits such topics in the classroom.

And under that law, there’s a reporting process for students to report professors who teach these concepts, Jones said. It looks like fascism. It sounds like authoritarianism. That doesn’t sound like democracy or freedom. And again, this bill is very troubling to anyone who believes in constitutional rights and who believes in the American promise of free speech.

Jones added, I think it’s shameful what you’re trying to do…I don’t think you even know what the purpose of this bill is besides fueling this racist narrative that you’ve made the promotion throughout the session.

Sexton interrupted and berated Jones for launching a personal attack on Ragan. Thank you Mr President, replied Jones. It’s not a personal attack. It is a fact.

Jones, you made a direct comment to the rep, accusing him of something, Sexon replied. It is a direct attack. I would ask you to refrain from doing that and stick to the bill, please.

Jones resumed questioning Ragan.

Do you believe it’s, it’s racist to ban concepts about systemic racism in America’s history? Jones asked

Again, my belief is in God, Ragan said. I settle other things with facts and data. The fact is, sir, this bill is not racist. It is not unconstitutional.

We keep talking about God, but God says in Isaiah 10, Woe to those who make unjust laws that hurt the poor and disenfranchise them, Jones said. And so stop using God to justify your bigotry. Stop using God to justify hatred and racism.

Sexton again told Jones he was out of commission.

This is the third time you’ve accused a member of doing something or being something on the floor of the House, Sexton said. It’s the third time. Representative Jones last chance.

Mr. Speaker, this MP has consistently invoked God to justify this extreme unjust and moral racist law, Jones said. I was just trying to answer because

Sexton cut his microphone.

THANKS. Representative Jones, Sexton said.

He then gave Pearson the chance to speak next.

Thank you Mr. President, said Pearson. This is a deeply concerning bill because it perpetuates a practice that is harmful to everyone. When you start attacking education and educational institutions that seek to tell the truth about racism, sexism, those other divisive concepts, when you try to control what a person thinks, then you take on the role of God rather than allowing the freedom of thought that has built American educational institutions.

He joined Jones in demonstrating both why the GOP supermajority wanted to kick them out and why it’s so important for them to be there.

The reason I will be voting against this legislation is actually because I believe this state, this country is redeemable, but it will not be redeemed or resurrected if we allow the status quo to persist that silences different ideas, he said. he declares. It will not be redeemed unless we have the courage to look ourselves and our institutions in the face and demand that they do better.

Sexon called a GOP representative who dutifully offered to end the debate. Sexton called for a vote on the motion, which of course passed.

Jones asked to be recognized.

Mr. Speaker, again the House is out of order, Jones said. Did not deliberate and discuss properly.

Representative Jones, do you have a question for the clerk? Sexon asked. Instead of making a statement, you should direct your question to the clerk.

Rep. Democratic GA. Hardway summarized how things were going that first morning of the Tennessee Threes’ return.

Isn’t that how we got here in the first place? He asked.

At 12:17 p.m., the recording of the GOP rally was posted online. It seemed that exorcising Bedford Forrests’ spirit would be much more difficult than removing his bust.

Is it dangerous when they say they don’t want to see us on the floor or that we’re at war? Rep. Johnson tweeted. We just want all voices to be heard. Our constituents deserve to be heard.

It looks like a Confederate planning session during the Civil War. We must be able to listen to each other.

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