The Tennessee House of Representatives, dominated by a Republican supermajority, voted yesterday to expel two Black Democratic legislators who had participated in a peaceful public demonstration on behalf of gun control. A third representative, white and female, was one vote shy of also being expelled. As Elie Mystal, writer for The Nation, aptly put it, the House’s action was a clinic in critical race theory.
It was that and more—a powerful illustration of in-your-face racism and of how absolute power morphs into absolute corruption. Representatives Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson, the two expelled members, have a history of community activism. They are outspoken and extremely popular in their districts, one of which is Nashville where the school shooting that killed six people brought out hundreds of people, including many schoolchildren, in an ultimately futile attempt to get the legislature to do something about gun violence. The all-white House establishment seemed to think it needed to teach these upstarts a lesson, so it accused the Democrats of “disorderly and disruptive conduct.” Ignoring precedent and its own procedures, the House leader proceeded to call for a vote. As Justin Jones said, “We called for you all to ban assault weapons, and you respond with an assault on democracy.”
Any sensible, moderate Republican in the Tennessee House who was truly offended by the protest could have called for censure or a reprimand as alternative to the extraordinary step of expulsion. But these men wanted a political lynching. The times are different now, however: The Republicans have made heroes of Jones, Pearson, and Gloria Johnson; and they will reap what they sow when Jones and Pearson return to the House, reappointed by local councils and eventually reelected by their constituents. Once again, though we hardly need reminding, the Tennessee House leaders have shown us why racial injustice and gun violence must remain central political issues in American politics.
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
In the Human Interest - Mel Gurtov 
Bravo!
Yes white supremacy is now
I am in awe of the clarity of your thinking and writing, Mel. I’ll pass this post on to others. Kathryn
Oh the hypocrisy: on the PBS News Hour tonight, Gary Abernathy (in exchange with Jonathan Capehart) first took the position in the NY State case vs. DJT that Trumpâs misbehavior was being overblown for political gain; then, volte face, in the Tenn. Case he took the hardline position: the House has a perfect right to police itself and remove those dudes from office. Neither Capehart nor Amna Nawaz seemed to sense the hypocrisy.