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The resolutions were so superficial that they were included in the House consent calendar, a group of uncontroversial bills that representatives pass en masse.
But Rep. Jeremy Faison (R) had a problem with one of them. Over an objection, he removed the resolution honoring Russell from the consent calendar, but did not do the same with the one honoring Paramore. Jones responded that singling out Russell, who is black, is a “shameful” example of “Jim Crow thinking.” Paramore, whose members are white, rebuked Faison’s objection as “blatant racism.”
In a statement sent by the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, Faison said that as a member of Republican leadership, several members had approached him with questions about Russell, “making it appropriate for us to pause that resolution in particular. “
Faison and Jennifer Easton, a spokeswoman for House Republicans, did not respond to requests for comment on questions raised by the caucus.
Russell said in an interview with The Washington Post that the objection to his recognition was reminiscent of the controversy that erupted in the legislature last year when Jones and two other representatives faced expulsion for their participation in a gun control rally. The two black members of the trio that became known as the “Tennessee Three,” Jones and Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D), were ousted, while the group’s white member survived the attempt to overthrow her. Jones and Pearson regained their seats in an election held at the end of the year.
Jones addressed the most recent incident Monday on the House floor.
“It is shameful that this body, during a month in which we honor Black voices and history, wants to reproduce this type of Jim Crow thinking that is rooted in a legacy of racism,” Jones told The Post.
Although the resolution focused on Russell’s Grammy Award, his music is tied to his political activism, he said. In recent years, he has been an outspoken critic of Tennessee Republican lawmakers, including their efforts to expel the Tennessee Three, as well as enacting legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights and banning drag shows. When those laws were passed, Russell organized the Love Rising benefit concert in Nashville in March, which featured more than a dozen artists, including herself, Williams, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Hozier and Mya Byrne.
Williams said she felt compelled to organize the concert to fight what she called “legislative terrorism.”
Russell, who moved to Nashville seven years ago, didn’t learn of Jones’ resolution until the controversy broke out. He said it’s clear why Faison blocked passage of the resolution and his Republican colleagues joined him in sending it to a committee instead of debating it in the House of Representatives.
Hardly anyone would have noticed Russell’s legislative honor, which is typically awarded to Tennesseans who have earned professional accolades such as teacher or fire chief of the year, had he gone ahead. By blocking him, Faison shined a light on Russell and his music, Russell said.
“The only thing they achieved was to greatly amplify our voices,” he said.
Other artists have rallied around Russell. On Friday, Paramore declined “any recognition or honor” from the Tennessee House of Representatives until Russell receives the same honor. In a statement to The Post, Paramore singer Hayley Williams praised Russell as an “incredibly talented musician and songwriter” whose music is deeply rooted in folk and Americana, yet spans genres.
Russell is also “a brilliant black woman,” she added.
“The blatant racism of our state leadership is shameful and cruel,” Williams said.
At the end of Monday’s session, Jones, the representative who introduced the resolutions honoring Russell and Paramore, attempted to address his colleagues about blocking the former.
“Black History Month is celebrated every day, and just a few minutes ago there was a resolution to honor someone who is making black history,” he said before House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) interrupted him to say that the time would be used to make announcements. , without participating in the debate.
“The announcement is to announce that there are people among us who are making African American history, and I want to honor them during this Black History Month, including those here in Nashville and in our state of Tennessee who are making African American history every year. day and deserve to be honored.
“I would like to announce that it is concerning that this body decides to denigrate or…” he said, before Sexton cut off his microphone, apologized and moved on.