According to the Equal Justice Initiative, 236 Black people were lynched in Tennessee between 1877 and 1950. Those murdered by racial terror included journalists, business leaders, and teachers. These Black people were lynched because they were activists who stood up to the virulent racism that defines our nation. While Justin Jones and Justin Pearce did not find ropes around their necks, their political lynching is shameful but not unusual in a state where elected officials hark back to the days of lynching, where racists have killed 236 Black people. May the treatment of the Justins inspire us to resist racism. One of the signs outside the capitol said it succinctly. “No Justins, no peace”
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As far back as my memory goes, Black women have told some of the best stories. Whether kitchen table gossip, beauty shop talk, or classic literature, Black women have mastered the art of weaving cultural commentary between their exclamations of “bless your heart” and “I know that’s right.