BEING AWARE FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLES RIGHTS

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

Source: CBS News

I’m so so proud of the two Black men that stood up to the Tennessee State Legislature on April 6, 2023. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson stood for the people that voted them into office. They were the voice of the people who are fighting for better gun control laws. They were eventually expelled, but as of this story, Jones was voted back into his seat on the Tennessee State House of Representatives legislature on April 10, 2023 and Pearson is expected to be reinstated soon.

Both of these Black men are young and articulate. Jones is 27 and “one of the youngest members of the legislature and represented the state's 52nd district, which has about 70,000 residents and is part of Davidson County, the Nashville metro area.” Pearson, 28, was elected in a

January 2023 special election after the incumbent, Barbara Cooper, had died. He represents the state's 86th district, which has about 64,000 residents and is part of Shelby County, where Memphis is located.

Former President Barack Obama understands the importance of speaking up and fighting for what is right for everyone. Obama tweeted,

"No elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice – especially when they're doing it on behalf of our children," adding, "Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won't lead to progress."

Jones and Pearson will not be going away anytime soon. They have become national figures and we need them to continue to fight for people whose voices are drowned out by the majority. I personally thank Jones and Pearson and will be following them and supporting them.

For more information, you can read the full article at The "Tennessee Three": Why were two of the Democratic lawmakers expelled, and what happens now? - CBS News