Did House Bill 580 negate critical race theory or prove it?
On May 4, the second-to-last day of this year’s Tennessee General Assembly, legislators paused to pay their respects to the late state Sen. Thelma Harper, who died April 22. “She wasn’t smiling, not that day,” state Rep. Antonio Parkinson, said later. “The way they did that bill was disrespectful to Sen. Harper, to all Black legislators, to all Black people in this state.” The bill, House Bill 580, was approved May 5. (AP File Photo/Erik Schelzig)
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The Institute for Public Service Reporting
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
Here’s how a handful of white legislators changed how Black history is taught in Tennessee.
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Tennessee General Assembly Brian Kelsey Antonio Parkinson Lamar LondonIn partnership with
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
David Waters
David Waters is Distinguished Journalist in Residence and assistant director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis.
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