Tennessee’s Attack on Democracy

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the expulsion of two representatives from the Tennessee state legislature.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• When two Democratic lawmakers were expelled from the Tennessee legislature, discussion turned to the state of democracy there – and in the nation. Niki referred to this Vox article about Tennessee’s dubious distinction as the least democratic state. Natalia drew on this Memphis Flyer piece about how the state turned red, and Neil referenced this Jacobin essay about the insufficiency of federalism to ensure democracy. 

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed this PBS News Hour podcast, “Study Shows Parents Overestimate Their Student’s Academic Progress.”
• Neil recommended Allyson P. Brantley’s Slate piece, “Queer Beer.”
• Niki shared Lauren MacIvor Thompson’s Washington Post article, “The Original Comstock Act Doesn’t Support the New Antiabortion Decision.”