Why Our Plurality Matters
Tonight, our fragile democracy was assaulted. Unfortunately, that is not an exaggeration. In Tennessee, Deep Right Republican lawmakers voted to expel from the statehouse two young, black lawmakers, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, for their protest against a gun bill. That a third lawmaker, Gloria Johnson, a white woman, avoided expulsion by only one vote, speaks voluminously about the blatant racial indignity exacted here. This was not only an effort to permanently silence the dissent of these two men, but also, for a time, the districts that they represent — districts where the populations of 200,000-plus are predominantly people of color, folks unlikely to politically align with the Deep Right.
We will set aside the heated debate over gun control, which, yes, deserves to face a full-throated conversation in this country. Indeed, no one can ignore the grim scene at a school, only blocks away from this same statehouse. For the moment, though, we need to concern ourselves with the implications of these actions by the Deep Right Republicans in Tennessee. What they have telegraphed tonight is a singular and unmistakable message: “Only one view matters here — ours!” And they made clear that, even while they already hold a significant majority in the statehouse, they have no interest in perspectives that do not mirror their own, and they will not permit their presence.
These unprecedented votes seem out of step for a Republican Party that has long valued democratic ideals, the rule of law, our Constitution, and the plurality that makes us such a great Republic. But these are no ordinary Republicans; they are the Deep Right, MAGA, nationalist-populists — steeped in anger and anxiety, narrow-minded beliefs based more on fiction than fact, and a fear of anything different from themselves.
Yes, these people are intolerant, authoritarian, and terrifying.
But let’s be clear about why the antics from this evening matter. Disenfranchisement is a matter about which we all must be concerned, and that it can happen so easily in our country, when one group of people wishes not to engage another group of people, suggests that our democracy can be undone anytime a majority finds it convenient to do so. Whole segments of our population can lose their duly-elected leaders for something as simple as a mildly unruly dissent, as what happened this evening.
So, the cancel culture about which the Deep Right rails so loudly is, indeed, alive and thriving — in their own party.
America has always been a unique country more diverse than most. As Francis Fukuyama wrote in the book Trust: “Americans need to understand that theirs is not simply an individualistic tradition and that historically people have come together, cooperated, and deferred to the authority of a myriad of larger communities.” But for those heterogeneous communities to flourish, they have had to respect one another, to understand their common goals, and to work together to make them so.
To be sure, we will not always agree on how to move this country forward, but disagreement should not permit any of us to silence our peers.
The truth is, in this country, every man is entitled to a measure of personal space for his own beliefs, no matter where those beliefs fall on the political spectrum. We don’t have to like them; we don’t have to share them; and we can debate them; but we should never act to silence them. In fact, no matter how unpopular or shortsighted or misguided they are, as long as those beliefs aren’t actively used to marginalize, deprive, harm, or negatively incite any other person or persons, they are deserving of a seat at the table of civil discourse. And that is part of what makes us diverse — this vast well of different ideals and thoughts.
We have always known that our society was made stronger by its diversity. Sure, it has been a major struggle, but coming to terms with that diversity, learning to live better together than apart, has made our society truly great. After all, pluralism makes a way for the acceptance of all God’s people; it opens and enriches even the most narrow of minds; and it spurs creativity and innovation.
On that premise, we must meet one another with faith, with patience, with tolerance, with forgiveness, and with a willingness to work together. We must keep open the channels of communication, so that genuine dialogues in a pluralistic society such as our own can spur healing and understanding. And we must aspire everyday to reach common ground, so that we can make easier our course to a place where everyone can feel welcomed.
This is what fairness is — affording respect to someone for their beliefs in the same spirit that we expect respect for our own. It is what is right, no matter how much we disagree with those beliefs. It is what is American, because we should never stymie anyone’s ability to live free.
The Deep Right Republicans in the Tennessee legislature would benefit by understanding that notion. Indeed, everyone of us would benefit. Silencing dissent undermines our ability to grow or to solve problems, because those things are dependent upon our willingness to work together, yes, in spite of our differences.
