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Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Black historians find ways to celebrate Juneteenth amid Tennessee crackdowns on DEI
A ribbon commemorating Juneteenth drapes a historic marker in one of Knoxville's several cemeteries where enslaved people are buried. (Photo: Angela Dennis) As cities across Tennessee prepare for Juneteenth celebrations with banners unfurling, vendors setting up, and leaders finalizing programs honoring Black liberation, a deeper question lingers: What does it mean to celebrate freedom in a state restricting how that freedom's history is taught? In Tennessee, state lawmakers have gutted DEI programs, banned books by Black authors, and restricted how teachers can talk about race and history in the classroom. This year's celebrations have also come with cutbacks. Across the country, Juneteenth events have been scaled back due to shrinking DEI funding, canceled federal grants and retreat from corporate support for racial justice initiatives. For many Black educators, organizers, and students, the policies feel like a modern day echo of the delayed freedom Juneteenth was created to mark. It represents a continued struggle for true freedom and liberation. Republican supermajority passes bills to 'dismantle' DEI in state, local government 'The attacks on our history, on information, professors, universities and on teachers, are horrifying,' said Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson. 'One of the first tools of oppression is to deny the education of people. In this moment in Tennessee and across the country, we are seeing policies and practices that are very harmful to our society's memory about how we have gotten to where we are.' On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been free for more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. That delay in freedom highlights, for many, the same struggle seen today as laws and policies seek to suppress the teaching of Black history and limit the freedom of education. What began as a regional celebration has grown into a national symbol of Black freedom, with Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021, signed into law by President Joe Biden. Gov. Bill Lee signed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2023. 'Recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday, while passing laws that harm Black communities, reveals deep hypocrisy,' said Pearson. 'We're still trapped by systems, academically, environmentally, politically, and civically, despite being technically free.' For other community leaders, the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is significant but raises important questions about the intent and timing of such a move. Chris Woodhull, a longtime civic leader in East Tennessee, reflected on how he and others were teaching the significance of Juneteenth decades ago, long before it gained national visibility. 'Back in the '90s, I was teaching about Juneteenth with young people through our organization called Tribe One,' Woodhull said. 'We were talking about emancipation and the legacy of slavery before it was popular.' When Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021, Woodhull couldn't help but notice the timing after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer — and subsequent uprisings —and growing momentum behind the movement to defund the police. 'Juneteenth became a federal holiday not in a vacuum but in the wake of George Floyd's death, when people were in the streets demanding justice, systemic change, and real transformation,' he said. While he appreciates the symbolism of the recognition, Woodhull said it felt, in part, like a concession, a gesture meant to appease, rather than challenge systems of power. Still, Woodhull believes Juneteenth holds real significance, especially when it's rooted in truth and history. 'There are a lot of well-meaning people who want to celebrate Juneteenth but don't really understand what it means,' he said. 'We can't afford for it to become just another day off. The challenge is to make sure we're not just marking the day but honoring the story, and the struggle behind it.' In recent years, Tennessee lawmakers have passed sweeping legislation targeting the teaching of race, diversity and Black history. In 2021, the state passed a law banning divisive concepts in public education, followed by restrictions in 2022 on mandatory DEI training in higher education. These measures were followed by further legislation in 2025 aimed at dismantling DEI programs across the state. Book bans and curriculum restrictions have also spread across Tennessee. In January 2022, McMinn County removed the Pulitzer-winning graphic novel Maus from its eighth-grade curriculum. That same year, Hamilton County established a review board to evaluate books for 'offensiveness,' leading to the removal of titles with Black and LGBTQ+ voices. In Knoxville, 113 books, including Push by Black author Sapphire, were pulled from schools. Wilson County removed nearly 400 books, including works by Toni Morrison, while Nashville's public libraries responded by promoting banned books during Banned Books Week. In Chattanooga, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was also removed. Despite political efforts to restrict classroom content, educators across Tennessee are finding ways to teach Juneteenth and center Black freedom. 'Juneteenth has always been a topic I discussed in my classes,' said Dr. Learotha Williams, associate professor of African American and Public History at Tennessee State University and director of the North Nashville Heritage Project. 'It's one of those celebrations that has persisted.' Williams believes Black history must extend beyond traditional classrooms. His courses split time between lectures and community exploration, including visits to historic sites. At Hadley Park Community Center in Nashville, he also led a community course on Black Nashville, taking community members to former enslaved markets and lynching sites. He draws that inspiration from Carter G. Woodson — the author and historian known as the 'Father of Black History' — who urged scholars to consider whether their work uplifts or alienates the communities they study. 'That was one of the most rewarding teaching experiences I've ever had,' he said. 'It involved students and many elders in the community engaging directly with their city's history.' In Knoxville, Dr. Melody Hawkins, a nationally recognized and award-winning educator, sees Juneteenth as an opportunity for reflection and liberation in classrooms, despite growing restrictions on educators like herself 'Whenever people hear about all the banned books, there's this assumption that it means we can't still do the work,' she said. 'But you can still be affirming. We just call it being good teachers.' She believes the focus should be less about restricted terminology and more about how educators show up for their students. 'Juneteenth teaches us about our history and also helps us build classrooms where Black students feel safe, valued, and free to thrive,' she said. Her upcoming book, Black Girl in the Middle, explores how race and gender bias shape education for Black girls, particularly in middle school. While educators didn't create the systems that marginalize students, Hawkins says, 'we're still responsible for how we respond to them.' In East Tennessee, Black in Appalachia, an educational organization, preserves and amplifies Black history and community stories in the region, especially in rural areas where much of the history is whitewashed. Director William Isom sees the current climate as part of a larger historical pattern of erasure. 'From my perspective, none of this is new. This repression is just a continuation of our history,' he said. Isom points to Reconstruction as a parallel. Juneteenth strengthens the whole idea of the American narrative and any effort to erase the difference in perspectives around this significant day. – Adam Dickson, Langston Centre 'If local archives and historical societies looked closely at how their communities were shaped by Reconstruction, and its dismantling, they'd see the throughline.' His advice is to focus on community record-keeping. 'Everyday people creating their own records, sharing their family stories, can be more powerful than anything an organization can do.' Adam Dickson, Cultural Director of the Langston Centre in Johnson City, runs a monthly public series called Community History 365. He believes the burden of preserving and teaching Black history now rests heavily on local communities. 'Juneteenth strengthens the whole idea of the American narrative and any effort to erase the difference in perspectives around this significant day,' Dickson said.'For so long, the Black perspective around Juneteenth had been ignored. That's why it's such a pivotal moment and never really considered as it should have been so it was a pivotal moment.' For Pearson, embracing Juneteenth is also about Black joy. He said it's as essential as any political or educational fight. 'There's a song that says, 'This joy that I have, the world did not give it to me, and the world can't take it away,'' he said. 'We are still here, despite everything that has been done to diminish our humanity. That's good news. And we have a responsibility to carry the spirit of those who came before us, both in our struggles and in our celebrations. Because they persevered, we can persevere. Because they sacrificed, we can serve. Because they gave, we can do more.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Dead or unalive': Posters of former officers hung after ‘not guilty' verdict
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — 'Wanted' posters featuring images of the three former police officers involved in the Tyre Nichols case appeared around Memphis after the men received 'not guilty' verdicts. Posters in Memphis' Cooper Young area say the three former officers are wanted 'dead or unalive' for Nichols' deadly police beating. 'We have gotten so much injustice from this city that it's ridiculous,' said RowVaughn Wells, Tyre Nichols' mother. 'My son was murdered by five Memphis Police officers. He was murdered, and three of them got off.' More Igloo coolers recalled after 26 fingertip amputations 'I don't condone those posters. I don't condone the posting of those posters, but I do understand, is a deep hurt and agony and pain for people in this city right now,' said Representative Justin J. Pearson. Representative Justin Pearson says he encourages the community to express their emotions, but he advises them to do it in a non-violent way. 'And for someone to see those videos of Tyre Nichols being beaten to death by these officers and to come back with not guilty, like that does something,' said Pearson. Former MPD officer reacts to Tyre Nichols verdict: 'I was taken aback' The verdict and Nichols' deadly police beating have also resulted in distrust of the Memphis Police Department. However, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis say they're focused on restoring the community's perception of the city's law enforcement. 'We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused, and the men and women of the Memphis Police Department remain committed to rebuilding trust and working together to build a stronger, safer Memphis for all,' said Davis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pearson calls out Health Department, Mayor Harris over xAI
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Calls to prevent Elon Musk's xAI project from moving forward in Memphis are intensifying. Friday, city leaders joined Representative Justin J. Pearson and the community in their continuous calls against the xAI project. It's happening as the community awaits the Shelby County Health Department's decision on grants for gas turbines in the Boxtown neighborhood of southwest Memphis. Pearson is demanding answers from its director, Dr. Michelle Taylor, as well as Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who has previously shown support for the project. Group claims xAI plans turbines at new site; Chamber says no 'His absence, his silence, in the face of pressing issues of our community, including the xAI plant, is not just. It's not fair. It's immoral,' Pearson said. 'Director Taylor sits on the board on air pollution here. The local implementation plan gives her the power to go to xAI right now and tell them to stop polluting. Right now.' Local leaders say air pollution is a years-long problem that's caused the community to suffer. 'It's not just southwest Memphis. All of us are suffering,' said KeShaun Pearson with Memphis Community Against Pollution. 'All of us will continue to suffer if this deliberate abdication of responsibility continues. It is perpetual, and it has been a legacy that has allowed this cumulative pollution to continue to poison us.' Monday, Pearson and others will send a letter to Taylor and Harris to demand clean air. They say it's a part of their ongoing fight to protect Memphis and Shelby County. WREG reached out to Mayor Harris' office for comment, but we have not heard back yet. The Health Department released a statement, saying in part, 'The Shelby County Health Department is currently reviewing the air permit application submitted by xAI for a synthetic minor source under the state regulations and the Clean Air Act.' It went on to say it's considering the community's input before it makes a decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican supermajority passes bills to 'dismantle' DEI in state, local government
Democratic Reps. Justin Pearson, Karen Camper, John Ray Clemmons and Gabby Salinas on the House floor during debate over measures to strip consideration of race, ethnicity, sex or age from hiring decisions. (Photo: John Partipilo/John Partipilo) Two bills barring state and local governments, school districts and public colleges and universities from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices and considering race, ethnicity, sex or age in employment decisions will go to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature. The 'Dismantling DEI Departments Act' and the 'Dismantle DEI in Employment Act' are meant to align Tennessee with the priorities of President Donald Trump's administration, according to Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican and the senate sponsor of both bills. The Republican supermajority's passage of the bills came over the staunch opposition of their Democratic colleagues — many of whom are minorities — who recounted their personal experiences facing hiring discrimination because of their race or ethnicity. Johnson and House sponsor, Clarksville Republican Rep. Aron Maberry, said diversity is beneficial but DEI is a form of discrimination and enforces 'ideological viewpoints.' They said the bills aim to center merit, qualifications, skill and competency in employment decisions, and diversity will 'happen naturally through fair hiring practices.' 'The big problem in DEI is equity. We all know diversity, we all love including people. Equity is not equality, and it's not about treating people fairly or ensuring equal opportunity … equity in the context of DEI is essentially that everybody gets the same outcome,' Maberry said. Sen. Raumesh Akbari, a Memphis Democrat, said it is 'funny' people believe they live in a post-racial society. 'Because, quite frankly, as much as we aspire for the ideals of Dr. King, where people are not judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character, that is not the case,' Akbari said. Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Rep. Antonio Parkinson, both Memphis Democrats, speak to one another as the House considers the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act" on April 22, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) House Majority Leader William Lamberth gives a thumbs down motion as Memphis Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson look on. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Clarksville Republican Rep. Aron Maberry sponsored a pair of bills aiming to "dismantle DEI" in state and local agencies, saying DEI is a form of discrimination and enforces 'ideological viewpoints.' (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Memphis Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson speaks against the passage of the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act" on the House floor on April. 22, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Nashville Democratic Rep. Vincent Dixie speaks against the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act" on the House floor on April 22, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout ©2025) Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, said DEI initiatives are meant to address groups of people who are fully qualified but have been excluded from access to resources and jobs. 'You can't even be considered for these jobs if you don't meet the basic criteria,' Lamar said Tuesday. 'So the idea that people are being chosen based on their race or their gender is false.' The Senate passed both bills Tuesday. The House passed the 'Dismantling DEI Departments Act' Tuesday, and passed its counterpart last week after the bill's supporters cut debate short. 'Many of us were denied the opportunity to even speak and represent our people,' Democratic Caucus Leader Rep. Karen Camper said Tuesday. 'Not only were we silenced, but really it almost felt like we (were dismissed). It was a lot of laughter and smugness, as if our lived experience of discrimination and injustice in this country were nothing more than some political talking points.' The 'Dismantling DEI Departments Act' prohibits state and local governments, public institutions of higher education, and governor-appointed boards from using 'a discriminatory preference in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes.' Decisions that grant or withhold benefits must be based on 'individual merit, qualifications, veteran status or lawful eligibility criteria,' according to the bill. The legislation also scrubs Tennessee Code of provisions that encourage support of women- and minority-owned businesses and goals for including minorities on appointed boards. The act exempts demographic-based outreach for medically substantiated reasons in public health, medical research or disease prevention programs, in addition to 'lawful and neutral outreach programs that ensure equal access to state services or contracting' as long as there is no demographic-based 'preferential treatment.' Entities can also submit written notice to the state comptroller requesting an exemption if complying with the act would cause the loss of federal funding. The 'Dismantle DEI in Employment Act' prohibits government entities in Tennessee from 'considering race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any other demographic characteristic' in employment decisions. It contains the same exemption request process for instances that would jeopardize federal funding. Johnson and Maberry said neither bill will affect existing state laws or programs that support people with disabilities. Rep. Harold Love, Jr., a Nashville Democrat, said the legislation has implications beyond the printed word. Love described a 'chilling effect': people who are hiring may reconsider selecting minorities for roles even if they are qualified, because they don't want to be perceived as breaking these laws. The Senate rejected an amendment proposed by Nashville Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro that would have prohibited hiring on the basis of familial relationship, past or present political activity, campaign involvement, service as an elected official, financial contributions and referrals by elected officials, political appointees or campaign representatives that were not based on merit. Johnson said those issues were already covered by two pieces of legislation regarding state government employment. In rejecting the amendment, the legislature declined to extend these rules to local governments and educational institutions throughout the state. Yarbro said some of the pieces of Tennessee Code eliminated or re-written by this legislation had been on the books for decades. 'Using this political cudgel that's been developed in the last three or four years as a rationale to go back in time and repeal progress that was made in the 70s, 80s and 90s? We shouldn't do that,' Yarbro said. The House rejected an amendment proposed by Rep. Larry Miller, a Memphis Democrat, that would have required reporting on hirings and firings based on merit broken down by demographic. Miller argued the amendment should be welcome if the supermajority thought it would prove their justification for the bill. Using this political cudgel that's been developed in the last three or four years as a rationale to go back in time and repeal progress that was made in the 70s, 80s and 90s? We shouldn't do that. – Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville Johnson, when pressed by Lamar for examples of situations in which someone has been hired based on race or gender over merit, said he had examples but could not disclose them. 'If you've not been contacted by someone who feels like they were overlooked because of diversity, I don't know what to say about that,' Johnson said. Asked if Black people or women currently employed by state or local governmental entities were hired based on their qualifications or their demographics, Johnson said he believes they were hired because they were qualified, but the DEI movement has become 'insidious.' The legislation does not infringe on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he said, noting he is 'glad (those protections) are there.' 'Diversity is a good thing, but diversity for diversity's sake alone is not a good thing,' Johnson said. Several representatives later said on the house floor that they do not know of any Black man who has gotten a job who was not qualified for that position. Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a Memphis Democrat, said DEI is not meant to put one group of people above another. 'It is simply to show you that we exist,' he said. 'It removes the invisible cloak from veterans, disabled individuals, Black people, women and others. We exist.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The month in photos: March 2025
A heated exchange between Memphis Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson and Sevierville Republican Rep. Andrew Farmer forced the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee into recess on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
