So when the modern Republicans were talking about making America great again, we can now safely assume they were talking about the Jim Crow era. In the wake of the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act, Tennessee’s Republican-led state legislature has passed a new congressional map that completely eliminates the state’s lone majority-Black district.
According to NBC News, Tennessee rushed through its redistricting process this week after the Supreme Court’s ruling last week that basically allows for racial gerrymanders. The special session focusing on redistricting was ordered by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Monday, with the new map revealed on Tuesday. The map splits the Shelby County district, which includes the predominantly Black city of Memphis, into three other districts. The new map will give Republicans complete control of Tennessee’s House seats.
Democratic state legislators and protesters throughout Memphis were quick to call this redistricting effort what it was: a racist power grab. “This is not a special session. This is a white power rally and a white power grab,” said Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson, who represents Knoxville. “Vote yes — you’re telling everyone you’re racist.”
Source: Tennessee Republicans Pass Map Eliminating State’s Only Majority Black District
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