Author: Chase Clemons

In this year’s General Assembly, state legislators considered a slate of hateful legislation that discriminates against the LGBTQ community. Legislators introduced 12 different bills with plans to ban gay marriage, allow adoption agencies to decline placing children with LGBTQ parents, and more.

After seeing these anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the General Assembly, businesses like Amazon, Hilton, Lyft, the Tennessee Titans, Nike, and Warby Parker wrote an open letter to Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker Glen Casada opposing the legislation.

“Put simply, these bills do not reflect the values of our companies. We are disappointed to see the legislature consider discriminatory legislation. The business community, by and large, has consistently communicated to lawmakers at every level that bills that target LGBTQ people are bad for our employees and their families, bad for our customers and bad for business. This is not a direction in which states move when they are seeking to provide successful, thriving hubs for business and economic development.”

In response, Speaker Casada said, “Tennessee provides a fertile ground for them to make money and be prosperous. And that’s what they should do. They should take care of their stockholders and not get so much involved in politics.”

“Don’t get so much involved in politics.”

It’s an old refrain from politicians looking to maintain their grasp on power. We see it when teachers share their experience with school vouchers and are told to stick to teaching. We see it when students advocate for gun safety and are dismissed with vague sayings of being too young. I never imagined that a pro-corporation Republican would tell businesses to “not get so much involved in politics” but even that line has now been crossed.

The reason politicians use the “don’t get involved” refrain is simple – if you’re paying attention, it can impact their chances of re-election. The more attention paid to the bad actions a politician takes, the more voters and especially donors start to notice. “Don’t get involved” really means “don’t take away my power”. And politicians who pass hateful legislation deserve to lose every bit of power they have.

We’re at a defining moment in history. That’s why Democratic parties across Tennessee work so hard at registering voters, running candidates, and getting everyone involved in politics at every level.

For our government to work best, we need more people involved in politics, not less.

Lots of folks have been asking how they can best voice their opinion on vouchers to make sure our legislators hear. You’ve been calling. You’ve been emailing. And now – you can rally!

On Monday April 29th at 12 noon, all those who stand for a quality public education for all Tennessee children and against vouchers are gathering at the state capitol in Nashville for a rally. We’re going to let our legislators know we are against vouchers in Tennessee.

If you need a carpool, message Mesha Twyman at 931-993-7145.

If you’d rather meet us in Nashville, we’ll meet at 12:00 noon in front of the Cordell Hull Building (425 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37243) and go through security. Then we’ll march down floors 4,5,6,7 at Cordell Hull and head over to fill the TN Capitol.

We’ll fill the balconies at the Capitol in session, and those of us outside the chamber will do chants all through session!

This is our last chance to show them how much this matters to us. So if you can make it, please be there!

If you’re looking for an easy way to help out the Lincoln County Democrats, consider hosting a house party!

Hosting a house party is a great way to bring new people on board and get them excited about our local Democratic party. Some of the best ideas come from these settings. These types of informal events really get things going, especially in off-election years like 2019.

Hosting is easy. We’ll help you every step of the way. And you’ll be taking that next step in making our community better for everyone.

Ready to host one? Send us a message so we can make it happen!

We recently held our reorganization meeting and the new leadership team is ready to rock and roll. But we need your help!

Your voice and ideas are critical as we craft strategic plans for the next few years. We’ve put together a Listening Survey to help collect those thoughts.

Take the Survey Here ->

It’s short so shouldn’t take too much of your time. And by filling out that survey, you’re helping to ensure we’re focused on the right work!

In the last election cycle, the Tennessee Black Voter Project registered close to 90,000 new voters here in Tennessee.

In response, the Republican-controlled Tennessee House voted to make us the first state to criminalize voter registration efforts.

Marian Ott, president of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, put it best:

This bill (SB971/HB1079) now heads to the Senate for their consideration. Now is the time for action – contact our state senator Shane Reeves.

Call his office at 615-741-1066 or email sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov.

Send letters to:

425 5th Avenue North
Suite 752 Cordell Hull Bldg..
Nashville, TN 37243

Ask Senator Reeves to vote no against this bill unless changes are made based around the League of Women Voters recommendations here!

Talking politics can be tough. You may feel like you don’t have enough information to speak up. Maybe you don’t have enough time between work, family, sports, and yet another potluck of some variety. Or you may feel like it’s nothing but bitter old people sniping at each other for some sliver of what they think is power.

I’m not here to cast blame or shame on anyone that would rather avoid political discussions. I’ve been in those shoes and understand that view. For far too many years, I wanted nothing to do with our local government. I didn’t pick up a paper or watch community meetings much less talk politics.

That time abstaining from being part of our community discourse led to one stark realization. If you don’t show up and engage in that conversation, nothing changes.

With election season underway, now’s the perfect time to start speaking up. It’s time to talk with and listen to other people about the future of our community in Fayetteville and Lincoln County.

To help all of us step into that conversation, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

Be human.

Show kindness, respect, and civility to everyone that you talk to. Don’t automatically assume their viewpoint or intentions. Community discourse requires thoughtful, open, and civilized debate. That happens best when we’re human to each other. Speak persuasively, not abrasively.

Focus on the issues.

How we spend taxpayer dollars in the budget is much more important than what outfit you saw an elected official / candidate wearing. Even if you don’t particularly like a certain community leader, you can still work with them to find answers to the issues and problems facing our town.

Check and verify what you hear.

Our elected officials and candidates want to talk with you. Use that opportunity to find the truth rather than passing on what your cousin’s brother’s friend overheard in the grocery store or what you saw being shared around on Facebook.

Not sure where to start when verifying a piece of information? Check with the person it’s about. If you hear something that you’re not sure is true about the mayor, call their office. If you hear something that doesn’t sound right about the sewer, call your commissioner. Our elected officials work for us and part of their job is answering our questions.

Don’t give up on the conversation.

Talking about some issues can be difficult. It can be messy. But stick through the awkwardness and difficulty to reach the other side.

Side note on this one – that doesn’t mean continue the conversation if the other person is verbally abusive, insulting, or intentionally offensive. If they’re not interested in a productive conversation, it’s fine to walk away.

Go vote.

Conversations are great but they’re step one in moving our community forward. Step two is to register to vote and to make sure all of your family, friends, co-workers, and everyone else you know is registered. GoVoteTN is a great website where you can check to see if you’re registered.

After you’re registered, make sure to vote! In the elections this fall, we’re picking people to fill everything from them mayors’ offices to commissioners to alderman to the school board and more. Those elected seats are four-year terms so the people we choose will lead our community for the next four years.

Voting is quick, it’s easy, and it’s important. Every vote matters, especially in local elections that are won in the double-digit vote margins.