Van Jones: Reflecting on Political Polarization in America

Join us on Sunday, March 3 at 8pm ET/PT on CNN for the premiere of "What Happened to Tennessee? The Battle of Blue and Red" on "The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper". Van Jones, a CNN political commentator, shares his own views in this piece. For more opinions, visit CNN.

Last year, there was a surprising turn of events in Tennessee when state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were abruptly removed from the legislature. Why? They had spoken out in support of common-sense gun reform with Rep. Gloria Johnson, a move that resonated with many of their constituents.

I was truly shocked by their expulsion, especially since I began my political journey as a legislative intern in the beautiful Nashville building. Watching the chaotic events unfold on TV last year made it feel like a circus. (After being expelled, Pearson and Jones were reappointed to their seats; a bill was passed by the GOP-controlled Tennessee House to prevent such reappointments.)

The Tennessee Capitol has always been a vibrant place, filled with interesting personalities and dramatic events. During my time there, it was characterized by order and a general sense of bipartisan fairness. The actions taken against the "Tennessee Three" seemed to go against everything the Capitol stood for. I decided to go back home and see for myself if the situation was truly as troubling as it appeared.

Honestly, I was shocked by how bad it is. The GOP is basically creating a one-party system where elected Democrats hardly have a say in anything, not even in important laws.

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 06: Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson (R) of Memphis speaks with supporters after being expelled from the state Legislature on April 6, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Pearson and fellow Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Justin Jones of Nashville were brought up for expulsion for leading chants of protesters from the floor in the wake of a mass shooting at a Christian school in which three 9-year-old students and three adults were killed by a 28-year-old former student of the school on March 27. Pearson and Jones, who is also Black, were expelled while the vote against Johnson, who is white, fell one vote short. (Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images)

Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis, along with Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Justin Jones of Nashville, were involved in leading chants of protesters from the floor after a tragic mass shooting at a Christian school. The shooting, which took place on March 27, resulted in the deaths of three 9-year-old students and three adults at the hands of a 28-year-old former student.

During a session in Nashville, Tennessee, Pearson and Jones were expelled from the state Legislature for their actions, while the vote against Johnson fell just one vote short. Pearson, who is black, spoke with his supporters after the expulsion, highlighting the aftermath of the expulsion process. The emotional event took place on April 6, 2023, as captured in a photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images.

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Opinion: Why expelling me from the legislature backfired on Tennessee Republicans

During my time as a legislative intern, the Democratic party was in control of Tennessee and my boss was Jimmy Naifeh. He held the position of House majority leader and later went on to become the longest-serving Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives in the state's history.

Despite being a Lebanese-American Christian, Naifeh faced no attempts from opponents to exploit his Arab background for political gain. He was able to collaborate with individuals from both political parties to accomplish tasks without facing any divisive attacks based on his ethnicity.

Tennessee was once led by an Arab-American from the Democratic Party, and surprisingly, his identity was not a divisive issue. Back then, the state government may not have been a model of racial tolerance, but it operated smoothly. Both sides and all parties were able to collaborate effectively. The idea of racial and political conflicts causing chaos in the chamber or spilling over onto the global stage seemed unimaginable during that time.

When Republicans gained full control of Tennessee during the 2010 Tea Party movement, they made significant changes. One of the first things they did was redraw district lines to favor their party, making it nearly impossible for Democrats to win the majority.

As a result, even in a Democratic-leaning city like Nashville, there are no Democratic representatives. After years of Republican dominance, Tennessee politics have become extremely polarized. According to conversations I've had, Republican lawmakers refuse to listen to, engage with, or collaborate with the other side. This has led to a situation where most decisions are made between the right and the far right, leaving little room for input from left-leaning or moderate Tennesseans on important political issues.

Van Jones, with Justin Pearson and Justin Jones

Van Jones, with Justin Pearson and Justin Jones

CNN

So even on issues like gun violence — on which a large majority of Tennesseans in both parties would like “red flag” laws — nothing gets done. And the carnage continues.

When I spoke to leaders on both sides of the divide, I discovered that there were good people who genuinely wanted to make positive changes in their communities. At the grassroots level, the main motivation was not to oppose the other party, but rather to address the needs of their constituents and improve their quality of life.

One of the inspiring leaders I had the opportunity to speak with was Odessa Kelly, the co-founder and Executive Director of Stand Up Nashville. As a dedicated progressive leader with a background in local organizing, she has successfully worked on developing mixed-use housing solutions for urban residents. In her 2021 Democratic primary challenge in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, Kelly aimed to advocate for more housing and job opportunities for her community if elected.

The Tennessee General Assembly had different ideas in mind - they were focusing on redistricting. In early 2022, they deliberately divided the Democratic stronghold of Nashville into three separate districts that favored Republicans. Even though Odessa received more than 70% of the vote in Nashville, she still did not secure the seat. It wasn't exactly a shining example of democracy.

Kelly explained to me that during this whole ordeal, she viewed herself as a fighter standing up against government misconduct and excessive control.

CNN

I met a White, male conservative named Matthew Shoaf, who is a district commissioner in Sumner County. He was inspired to get more involved in politics during the pandemic when he felt there was too much government interference and too little concern. Shoaf and a group of friends ran for office together, taking over the county government with their right-wing views making headlines. However, Shoaf focuses mainly on local community development issues, similar to Kelly.

These two leaders, despite being from different political backgrounds, share a common frustration with the state's power players who tend to ignore local voices. One is a Black woman and the other a white man, but they both feel that racial dynamics are keeping people apart and fostering fear among communities.

Unfortunately, these two local champions may never have the chance to meet or collaborate due to the toxic political environment in the state. Instead of coming together, people facing similar issues end up turning against each other.

It was truly disheartening to witness individuals with good intentions being constrained by a flawed incentive system. This system diminishes the voices of Democrats and pushes Republicans towards extreme views. I encountered people from both sides, all facing similar struggles and frustrations. However, the ongoing culture wars and gerrymandering prevent them from joining forces and working together on any issue. This sense of isolation is a real tragedy.

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Having one-party rule goes against the principles of democracy. Looking at Tennessee as an example, we see that when one side has too much power, progress can be hindered and only a few benefit. It's important to prevent this from happening at the national level.

I discovered a bright spot during my trip - the undeniable passion of the two Justins I spent time with. They belong to a new generation of changemakers and leaders who are dedicated to creating a better future. Despite challenges, they remain hopeful and determined. While Tennessee serves as a cautionary tale, the dynamic and spirited people in my home state also provide ongoing inspiration.

Editor's P/S:

The article presents a bleak picture of the current political landscape in Tennessee, where one-party rule has created a toxic environment that stifles progress and isolates individuals with good intentions. The expulsion of three Democratic representatives for advocating for gun reform highlights the deep polarization and lack of bipartisan cooperation in the state. The redrawing of district lines to favor Republicans has further cemented one-party dominance, leaving little room for input from left-leaning or moderate Tennesseans.

Despite the challenges, the article also shines a light on inspiring leaders like Odessa Kelly and Matthew Shoaf, who are working to address the needs of their communities and bridge the political divide. Their stories offer a glimmer of hope that individuals can overcome the barriers created by the current political system and work together to create a better future. However, the article also serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of one-party rule and the need to prevent it from happening at the national level.