TSU first HBCU to introduce collegiate ice hockey See page 7
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Beyoncé donating $2M from tour to students, entrepreneurs See page 8
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volume XXXvII, Number 27
People Are Talking Early voting begins July 14 for the August 3 Metro election by Cass Teague There may never have been a more urgent time for Nashvillians to participate in the electoral process than right now. This year has seen major assaults upon the integrity and autonomy of the city of Nashville and Davidson county by the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee legislature. They have attempted to overstep their authority by gerrymandering statewide and succeeded in carving up the 5th U.S. congressional district, so that now the state is represented in Congress by eight Republicans and only ONE Democrat. They now hold both of our state's seats in the US Senate. They hold a 27-6 majority in the State Senate, and a 75-24 majority in the State House of Representatives. Also, they are seeking to control the Metro Council by cutting it in half, and are trying to take away the local control of our airport. All this power is held in a state that, according to the Pew Research Center, only 48% are Republican/lean Republican; while 36% are Democrat/lean Democrat; and just 15% No lean (don't identify with either party). So, how is it that less than half the state totally dominates every chamber of government? Great question, but part of the answer lies in the vote. Please use yours. On the ballot this summer are candidates for Mayor and ViceMayor, 35 Council districts and five at-large council positions, along with a few special primary and general elections for displaced and deceased state legislators. The aforementioned state legislature attempted to slice the council in half, and had rigged, gerrymandered districts planned to carve up the city this year to elect a veryRepublican-oriented, non-representative council, but were stopped temporarily by the judiciary. Please check your voting status, and get out to vote. We need a strong Mayor and council and others who will resist this odious trend in government, as witnessed by the expulsion of Justin Jones, who will be on the ballot, and other action not intended to share power and truly represent all of the people of Nashville. You can Confirm your Voter Registration anytime, 24/7, free, in one minute, on your phone, at: tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup And get your sample ballot at: nashville.gov/departments/elections Very importantly, even if you missed the July 5 deadline for the August 3 election, there will very likely be a Runoff election, especially for Mayor, and probably AtLarge and maybe other Council seats, so if you find you are not registered, register now! Be ready to vote in the September 14 Runoff Election (If Necessary), which will also be for the TN House District 51 Special General Election. On Friday, July 14, Early Voting Begins, and on Saturday, July 29 Early Voting Ends. there will like be no early voting for the September 14 Metropolitan Runoff Election (**If Necessary**) The August 3 Metropolitan General Election is for candidates for Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council Member At Large (5), Council Member (Districts 1 – 35), TN House District 51 Special Primary TN House of Representatives (Incumbent died in office), TN House District 52 Special Election TN House of Representatives (Incumbent Expelled by Republican supermajority). September 14 is the Metropolitan Runoff Election (If Necessary), Continued on page 7 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews
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July 7, 2023
In wake of conservative Court striking down Affirmative Action, Justice Jackson, Civil Rights Leaders agree – ‘America has never been colorblind’ TN Black Caucus not surprised by affirmative action ruling
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s disapproval could easily be summed up in a single and precise sentence: “Our country has never been color blind.” by Stacy M. Brown, Asian American applicants at a disadNNPA Newswire senior vantage. national correspondent Harvard and UNC maintained that As she watched her conservative affirmative action should be upheld, majority colleagues on the high court contending that their admissions poliissue the death knell to affirmative cies align with previous court deciaction on June 29, Supreme Court Jus- sions. tice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote They argued that considering race another masterpiece to express her dis- ensures a diverse student body. They sent. denied any discrimination in their Jackson’s disapproval could easily practices. be summed up in a single and precise However, the Court ruled that affirsentence: “Our country has never been mative action violates the Equal Procolorblind,” she said. tection Clause of the 14th Amendment. “The best that can be said of the The justices stated that the univermajority’s perspective is that it pro- sities’ policies do not conform to the ceeds (ostrich-like) from the hope that limited exceptions for equal rights preventing consideration of race will without regard to race, color, or end racism,” Jackson wrote in blasting nationality. the six-member majority. The justices determined that the “But if that is its motivation, the universities failed to provide sufficient majority proceeds in vain. If the col- justification for using race in admisleges of this country are required to sions. ignore a thing that matters, it will not Further, they claimed that affirmajust go away. It will take longer for tive action programs do not comply racism to leave us.” with the Equal Protection Clause’s In the majority ruling, the conser- requirement that race not be used negvative justices declared that the admis- atively or as a stereotype. sions policies of Harvard University The Court noted that affirmative and the University of North Carolina, action resulted in a lower acceptance which consider race a factor, were rate for Asian American applicants at unconstitutional. Harvard. Students for Fair Admissions had The Court further stated that basing presented two cases for consideration admissions on race leads to stereotypagainst Harvard and UNC, represent- ing and assumes that individuals of a ing private and public universities. particular race think alike, which it They argued that the practice vio- said it found offensive and demeaning. lated the equal protection clause of the Continued on page 7 14th Amendment and put White and
Rep. Sam McKenzie Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators (TBCSL) said they are disappointed, but not surprised by the Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action at colleges and universities. TBCSL Chairman Sam McKenzie said: “Obviously, this ruling is another devastating action taken by the Court as it continues to reverse past rulings and pander to the far right. It’s now going to be even harder for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised to get an equal education to those who are of the same race and class of the decision-makers in place at the majority of our colleges and universities. However, it can hardly be viewed as surprising, we’ve seen the political positioning in the laws passed by our very own state legislature.” The Knoxville Democrat continued, “It is very sad however. The High Court was once where victims of discrimination and injustice could turn for redress and justice. Now, it appears the Supreme Court has become just another political institution governed by a conservative majority.”
President Biden amplifies the SCOTUS of the Black Press strikes down byimportance Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior student loan national correspondent This week, during the NNPA’s annual which celebrated forgiveness 196 yearsConvention, of the Black Press of America, President Joe Biden appeared via video to salute the NNPA and its memprogram ber publishers on the occasion.
by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden’s ambitious student loan forgiveness program, which aimed to provide up to $20,000 in relief to millions of borrowers. The decision comes as a blow to the Biden administration’s efforts to alleviate the burden of student debt on struggling individuals. President Biden, determined to support student loan borrowers, plans to announce new actions during an upcoming address. The source reveals that while the White House strongly disagrees with the Supreme Court’s ruling, they had been preparing for such an outcome. Considering the decision, the administration intends to emphasize to borrowers and their families that Republicans are responsible for Continued on page 7
“Congratulations to the Black Press of America for celebrating 196 years of serving communities across our nation,” Biden stated in the address which aired on July 1. “Ida B. Wells once said, the way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon the wrong. That’s the sacred charge of a free press. That’s the charge African American publishers have pursued for nearly two centuries. With every story you publish, you make our democracy stronger. Thank you for what you do to turn the light of truth wherever your work leads you. Thank you.” President Biden has always maintained that the Black vote pushed him over the top in his 2020 election victory over Donald Trump. And it’s never been lost on the president that the pivotal day in his campaign occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, on Feb. 26, when he sat down for a live roundtable interview with Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president/CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of the more than 200 African American owned newspapers and media companies. Joining Chavis at that campaignturning event were dozens of Black Press publishers and media company owners, and the live stream of that
President Joe Biden (photo courtesy of @whitehouse) event, followed later in the day by an endorsement from Democratic South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, catapulted the once slumbering candidacy all the way to the White House. Dr. Chavis and outgoing NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards, praised the president for recognizing the importance of the Black Press of America. “The NNPA is especially honored to hear directly from President Joe Biden for his continued support and advocacy of the importance of the Black Press of America,” Chavis said. “As we celebrate 196 years of the Black Press, it’s always gratifying and encouraging to have the support of the president of the United States. In the wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on civil rights, the Black Press rededicates our journalism Continued on page 7