This week, the white supermajority-controlled Tennessee state legislature passed legislation authorizing a mid-decade redistricting of Memphis — deliberately splitting the city to eliminate the only Black-represented congressional district in the state. It didn’t happen in a vacuum. Louisiana already moved. Mississippi and South Carolina are next.
In this morning’s live, I break down exactly what we watched happen on the floor of the Tennessee legislature and why the footage coming out of that chamber should chill every American to the bone — regardless of race. What we’re witnessing isn’t the kind of gerrymandering that political scientists debate in academic journals. This is a targeted, deliberate, shameless effort to remove Black faces from representation at every level of government — congressional, state, and beyond.
This moment has a lineage. The KKK was born in Tennessee. The Supreme Court — reshaped by Mitch McConnell’s theft of Merrick Garland’s seat and Donald Trump’s subsequent appointments — gave states the legal cover to call racial gerrymandering “partisan” and proceed with impunity. Justice Alito’s opinion didn’t just open a door. It blew the walls off.
I also talk about the uncomfortable truth that non-racist America handed racists the tools to do this — twice — because grocery prices were too high, because Hillary wasn’t likable enough, because Kamala was a woman of color. Entitled comfort made this possible.
But here’s what I need you to hear: the wind is at our sails. Democrats have won or dramatically overperformed in every election of consequence since January 2025. A blue wave is building. The question isn’t whether we can win — it’s whether we’ll do something before Black America in red states is politically erased for a generation or more.
Do something. Now.
