A resolution was put forth to honor Tennessee's two grammy winners, the band Paramore and a black artist named Allison Russell ... for reasons unknown, the chair of the Tennessee Republican Caucus objected to Russell being included in the resolution, and kicked her vote off the calendar, then passed the resolution with just Paramore included... Props to Paramore for issuing a scathing statement calling the move "blatant racism"... It was House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison who balked at the Russell resolution, in what the Tennessean described as "a procedural move that kicked Jones' resolution off the night's consent calendar and back to committee, where objected consent items often die." This was not Faison's first time blocking a proclamation for a nationally renowned Tennessee musician who identifies as LGBTQ. In 2021, he made national headlines when he blocked a proclamation honoring Brothers Osborne singer TJ Osborne, who had recently come out as gay, even though the resolution had unanimously passed the state Senate. Russell has not explained why he tabled Russell's honor while letting Paramore's pass. Russell is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters to rise up in the roots scene in recent years, starting with her solo debut "Outside Child," which was named the best album of the year by Variety. Her Grammy win for best American roots performance for the song "Eve Was Black," from her second solo release, "The Returner," represented her first win after eight nominations. Russell has often sung alongside her friend Brandi Carlile and joined Joni Mitchell in a series of recent "Joni Jams" Paramore Rebukes Grammy Congrats From Tennessee Legislature After GOP Nixes Same Honor for Allison Russell: ‘The Blatant Racism Is Embarrassing' (msn.com)
FWIW, Faison also has this to his (dis)credit. Tennessee GOP lawmaker attempted to pants basketball game referee
What the hell? I’d love to assume there is something we don’t know… some reason beside the obvious.. right? But at this point - heads need to roll.
As a reminder, each of these resolutions was offered by one of two Black State Reps. expelled for participating in a protest while the white woman who protested with them was not expelled.
