The NPR Politics Podcast Black Democrats Fired By Tenn. GOP Peers After Gun Protest
Apr 7, 2023
Tennessee lawmakers face expulsion after a protest for gun control sparked intense debate about racial disparities in political treatment. One representative barely clings to her seat, raising eyebrows about race and democracy. The discussion then shifts to the complicated U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, critiquing both the prior administration's handling and the current fallout. Amid such serious topics, a lighthearted story of a pilot encountering a snake during flight brings some humor, blending national issues with personal narratives.
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Expelled Representatives
- Two Black Tennessee Representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, protested for gun control after a school shooting.
- Republicans expelled them for breaking decorum, but a white representative who also protested was not expelled.
Racial Disparity
- Representative Gloria Johnson believes the different outcomes between her and her colleagues may be due to race.
- The incident sparked a racial debate, shifting the conversation from gun control.
Past Expulsions
- Two past expulsions from the Tennessee House involved serious crimes, one for bribery and another for sexual assault.
- The recent expulsions were for breaking House rules, not committing crimes, raising questions about proportionality.