Lawrence: Historic ousting of Black TN Dems demands nation's full attention

The Tennessee Republican legislature has a lot to be ashamed for, including expelling Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two Black members of the Tennessee House of Representatives. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell explains why the people being attacked are winning even when it looks like they are losing.


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#MSNBC #Tennessee #Republicans

[heatherc]

The WORLD watched. My stomach churned, my heart broke, I was stunned and angered and scared.
Thank you for setting context, Lawrence. This is the history the book banners are preventing youth from learning.

[JoseMendez-bqst]

Outstanding overview of the problem. Brought tears but anger as well. THANK YOU for your efforts in promoting democracy and equality while bringing to mind our terrible past.

[mstalcup]

Thanks for educating people on how disgraceful Tennessee is. I was born in Tennessee and have lived in the state for over fifty years. You're spot on – and getting much worse very quickly. These are people who largely believe that raising children involves authoritarian training and indoctrination. There are many ignorant and prejudiced people – fearful people whose fears and prejudices are amplified and exploited by Tennessee Republican politicians.

[lucyl.]

I’m so glad you chose to focus your attention on this very serious issue. You are right a sick feeling came over me when I saw this happening in Tennessee! Some people have such ugly hearts and don’t see racism as a curse! Not one person had anything to do with being born white, black, Asian etc. not a one of us should ever feel superior over another. Andrew Farmer and his lot ought to be ashamed of themselves they have such disgusting attitudes. Poor excuse for a human beings! That young African man spoke calmly and eloquently! Refreshing to see that he has values and is not afraid to stand up for what is right! He has a heart for humanity and I admire him. Of these men who challenge one gun over an other, I bet would feel very differently if they were facing an AR-15. The path we are heading down is scary!

[nealskrenes]

Notice *the excuse for leaving Gorge Santos in the House of Representatives is it would disenfranchise the people who elected him-* apparently disenfranchising voters in Tennessee, doesn’t present such a problem for the Republican Party.

[gbprime]

My daughter is 14. Between school shootings, Roe V Wade, and anti-[fill in the blank] legislation... the conservatives have made a lifelong Liberal out of her, far more than anything my wife and I could possibly have said. There is a whole generation rising with her.

[allaboutlove]

Lawrence…thank you for another brilliant response to a most horrific event that occurred in Tennessee today. I could not be more proud of the brilliance of the two true patriots expelled from the Tennessee legislature. American Heroes. Fantastic delivery Lawrence ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏👍👍👍👍

[joanlivingston]

OMG, this crystal clear, powerful analysis from Lawrence must be recognized as the most important broadcast of the year. I've never been brought to tears by a newscast before in my 60 years of life and at least 40 years of staying on top of the news. This broadcast should be required curriculum for every school in the country when covering not just civil rights but simple common decency and respect for our fellow citizens of all race color gender and creed.

Pulitzer Prize to you Lawrence, and Congressional medals of honor for the "Tennessee Three"!

[vintagechild]

I am going on 79 years and this is very painful. I have ancestors buried there who grew tobacco for the ancestors of these men obstructing justice. I lived through the 50s and 60 s, segregation here in Detroit. This movement in this country makes me sick and angry. Black people cannot fix this, it is time for the so called whites to stand up and make structural changes. I am also a retired nurse, I have seen what a gunshot can do to an adult, I hurt for those parents who could only identify their babies by the remaining clothing they wore to school that day. Every person who agrees with these actions has blood on their hands, if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. Perhaps not today, the curse is passed to next generations….

[lrod]

I have no words, just tears for this country 😢😢😢

[bobbieforseth]

I'm so glad the media is planning on giving this issue lots of oxygen and reporting it needs to be repeated over and over and over again so it doesn't die out I'm so proud of the younger generation for standing up to the Republicans

[zeroswat]

I’m from the south (Louisiana) when I was listening to the republican talk. All I could hear him say was “Sit down and shut up boy, we decide how you behave, and We decided you and your friends are a problem. Also more guns”

[kingofguam]

I've never seen Lawrence deliver such a touching speech! BRAVO!!!

[joyfullone]

Justin Pearson and Justin Jones were so very brave, smart and eloquent in what they had to say. I was very impressed with these two young, black representatives. These gentlemen have great futures ahead for them I believe. Stop trying to put black folks in what you think is their place Tennessee, you should be totally ashamed of yourselves. Reinstate these men now!

[Tamara]

The fact Tennessee Congress compared it to Jan. 6th and said it is worse than Jan.6 th is an insult on America's intelligence. They just made themselves look backwards, racist, out of touch, and not standing up for the people. I would like to see them on a debate stage and answering to a broader audience. Very sad for sure.

[glorialewis]

One of his best commentaries. For those of us old enough to remember the USA in the 1960s, a heartfelt thank you!

[patrioticnotblind]

I am a 67 year old Tennessean. I retired with 32 years service in TN government. I am so ashamed of what these maga grunts are doing to our state and our people.

[karenwilliams]

Dear Lawrence, I remember as a 10 year old living in the U.K. how the lights seemed to go out in the world when Dr King was killed. I didn't understand much, but I felt much, and as a child I knew what was good and what was evil. Lawrence your eloquence and moral clarity is never more needed than now. In Europe we cannot comprehend how America can watch the murder of their children and still support the purchase of so many lethal weapons. It is like watching a collective insanity. Please continue to use your fine mind, and your noble heart to speak truth to power Lawrence. Evil must be vanquished. And collective insanity must be confronted.

[RockPowerUSA]

I watched 6 hours of this incredible moment today live and I highly recommend those interested in history unfolding watch as much as you can. I knew I was witnessing the most inspirational quotes luckily LIVE by these three inspirational democratic representatives over and over when they answered questions. You can tell they spoke from the heart and were eloquent and must have at least 2 hours worth of Martin Luther-like statements. Seriously I'm not kidding. That's why Lawrence changed the show. It's worth watching if you can find those hours.
All I could think of was HOW Lawrence was going to deal with the amount of historic quotes he was going to have to choose from. It was going to be impossible. It's going to have to be a two-part special.

[britishrocklovingyank]

Holy crap! Justin Pearson is a force of nature. That was amazing.