Democratic Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson delivered an emotional speech on the House floor on Thursday in opposition to a Republican-backed redistricting effort that would reshape the state’s congressional map. During the speech, Pearson accused Republican lawmakers of targeting Tennessee’s only majority-Black congressional district and described the move as an act of “white supremacy.” The video shared on X by @justicedems has gone viral, racking up over 900,000 views.
According to Pearson, the new district map was a “racist tool” designed to weaken Black political representation in the state. He claimed the GOP was attempting to “crack” District 9 into multiple parts in order to strengthen Republican control. “We are here because this Republican Party has to seek to steal elections and seats because the president and the party have refused to address the pain, the suffering, and the struggling of everyday Tennesseans,” Pearson stated.
The Tennessee representative also referenced the Voting Rights Act and the civil rights movement during the chamber debate. Pearson argued that voting rights protections were achieved through sacrifice and violence endured by generations of Black Americans. “That Voting Rights Act was paid in blood,” he said. “It was paid in blood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Paid in blood by Medgar Evers. Paid in blood by Fannie Lou Hamer.”
As he continued to speak, Pearson became increasingly emotional while reflecting on slavery, segregation, and racial violence throughout American history. “What is happening here is immoral and wrong,” he said, later adding, “No matter what you do, no matter how much you try and break us and make us bend and make us quit, we will still be here.”
Netizens Are Divided Over the Tennessee Democrat’s Speech
People on X have debated the Tennessee lawmaker’s speech about the new district map. Some commenters strongly supported Pearson and agreed with his criticism of it serving Republican politics.
“He told it like it is… He is absolutely correct that this action by the majority white and Republican controlled legislature is criminal and 100% racist,” one netizen wrote. Another added, “Tennessee Republicans are disgraceful. They do not care about their constituents.”
Some expressed sadness and frustration over the situation. “It breaks my heart this is going on,” one comment read. Someone else said, “It’s not okay, we won’t quit. We will bounce back by not making the same mistakes as last time. Hate never wins.”
However, there were others who did not agree with how Pearson framed the issue. Some even criticized his repeated references to race and slavery during the speech. “The race card is done. Americans are not interested and your message is falling flat,” one person commented. Another chimed in, “There should be NO race associated with any district. Black or white should make no difference just draw the lines and don’t worry about the color of the skin.”
According to multiple reports, the new map, which flips the last Democratic seat in Tennessee, splits Memphis and Shelby County into three separate districts.
