If you think replacement theory doesn't impact Black Tennesseans, you're mistaken
Good morning, BTV readers! Thank you all for joining me again.
On Thursday night, I attended governor and congressional candidate forums held at my alma mater, Lipscomb University. The event was sponsored by The Tennessean.
It was a great way to give all candidates a platform to share their beliefs.
What concerned me the most were the answers given by Democratic gubernatorial candidates Carnita Atwater, Dr. Jason Martin and JB Smiley Jr.
"Given that replacement theory is being popularized in the media, what is your plan to protect your constituents who are impacted by replacement theory?" the candidates were asked by moderator Michelle Steele.
"When I entered the race, I did a questionnaire and submitted about 20 questionnaires across the state of Tennessee. ... Most of my constituents didn't feel like (replacement theory) was of any concern at this point," Atwater said.
"I think that the whole concept of replacement theory, just like the concept of critical race theory, is a distraction," Dr. Martin said.
"We spend so much time talking about national issues but not enough time talking about how we can improve the life of folks in Tennessee," Smiley said.
None of them mentioned the 10 Black lives lost in last week's Buffalo mass shooting.
I was disappointed and discouraged by their dismissal of America's replacement theory, which is the notion that white Americans feel they are being replaced by immigrants and Black Americans.
While I can understand their need to keep answers focused on Tennessee, they all showed tone deafness by assuming replacement theory doesn't matter to Tennesseans. It does.
The mere thought of going into a grocery story is now met with anxiety that someone would attack the store. Think about the many historic Black neighborhoods in Tennessee. How easy would it be for someone to come and attack people who live in those communities?
You saw replacement theory play on in the Tennessee Legislature last year when lawmakers used a white narrative to defend their ban on curriculum resembling critical race theory and the teaching of LGBTQ history.
If candidates are looking to beat incumbent Gov. Bill Lee, it will be beneficial for them to take these national issues and see how they affect members of communities they're trying to get votes from.
Check out what else Tennessee Black voices have been discussing this week:
Nashville resident Dr. Carmen Reese Foster writes a powerful column about the fear of going to the grocery store after the Buffalo mass shooting.
Memphis and Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris M. Ray explains why the Shelby County Commission must invest the Capital Improvement Program funds into building better literacy in children.
Last thing, I wrote a perspective piece centering around pastor Greg Locke's comments claiming that you can't vote for a Democrat and be a Christian. I tell my story of growing up in Wilson Avenue Church of Christ in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and how it shaped my personal views.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings!
LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and the curator of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter. Feel free to contact him at LHill@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @hill_bron or Instagram at @antioniohill12.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: If you think replacement theory doesn't impact Black Tennesseans, you're mistaken
