We continue covering the assault on voting rights following the Supreme Court's decision to gut the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Republican state legislatures in Southern states like Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama have wasted no time eliminating Black districts, stripping Black voters of their voices. Our guest, State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-TN), correctly states that the government can act quite fast when it comes to suppressing voters. We're very grateful Rep. Pearson was able to make time to explain how all of this happened and how white supremacy has morphed into roles of power in states like Tennessee taking the forms of judges, sheriffs and governors. Pearson argues that Democrats must heavily invest more in local infrastructure, especially in the South, if our Democracy is going to survive. Since the 2010 midterms, Democrats have been asleep at the wheel regarding local elections but thanks to Trump, voters now understand the importance of roles like Secretaries of State. However, the big question is whether Republicans' racist mistakes with these undemocratic powergrabs could actually backfire and motivate huge voter turnout in states like Tennessee heading into the 2026 midterms. Despite all of this, Pearson makes a very compelling case that we the people can fight back against racist gerrymandering by engaging and motivating everyone we know to vote. Doom scrolling is complicity, this is a moment of real action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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