Tami Sawyer
@tamisawyer
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Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk
Memphis
Joined December 2007
Columbine happened when I was in high school. I’m now 40. No one wants a quick solution. We’ve been asking for one for over 25 years.
“People want a quick solution,” the Texas governor said. “The long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue.”
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Take that lunch break. Take that PTO. Take off on your birthday or because it’s 85 degrees on a Friday. Take that vacation. Take sabbatical. Start that business. Take that parental leave. Leave early for happy hour. Because in the end your employer will “go on as planned.”.
JoAnne Epps, the acting president of Temple University, died today after collapsing on stage at a campus event. She was a Black woman, an Ivy grad, community leader, and a beloved .law professor. 💔. I will never forget the last sentence of this article.
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Remember those Nazis marching through Nashville and not one police officer laying a finger on them?.
Scene reporter Eli Motycka (@ejmotycka) was arrested by Vanderbilt police while reporting on student protests.
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We celebrated the Berlin Wall. We should support this as well.
BREAKING: Palestinians in the West Bank have begun tearing down Israel’s apartheid wall. Iran’s counterattack has inspired an uprising.
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If #TyreNichols had not died, we would not know his name. He'd be caught up in the court system trying to prove his innocence, paying healthcare costs for his injuries, and likely losing his job at FedEx when the charges hit his record.
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Time for my favorite Dr. King quote.
Whatever your cause, if you damage art or block traffic to "draw attention" to it, you're actually hurting it, because you alienate everyone who'd been neutral up to this point.
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A white woman said this to Candace Owens and I am now deceased. 🤣🤣🤣.
@RealCandaceO You are truly one of the meanest white girls I know.
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Like the coward he is, Kyle Rittenhouse stormed off stage. I’m proud of the Univeristy of Memphis students who organized resistance tonight, as well as the Black Student Association, the U of M NAACP, alums, and faculty who spoke out. I am not proud of @uofmemphis administration.
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They can stand on the Capitol steps but families protesting gun violence are banned.
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If you’re over 80 (really over 75) and you say you are continuing to run for office because you’re needed or don’t see anyone else ready for the seat, blame yourself. Part of leadership is identifying and grooming talent younger than you. Build a legacy and retire.
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I know Target’s layout by heart. You don’t have to pass this display to make a return. You walked past the customer service desk, past the $5/10 grab bag, past the checkout, to take a photo & be racist. But. You got your steps in. So cheers.
Target is insufferable. Had to do a return and can't wait to leave.
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“the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; …who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who … believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom” - MLK on the problem.
Stephen Amell doesn’t support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. “I do not support striking. I don't. I think it's a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing entirely frustrating.”
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I stayed up for this. At 12:01 AM on 9/01, I became the first woman General Sessions Court Clerk of Shelby County, Tennessee, the executive and administrative branch of the largest court in a former Confederate state where my family was enslaved and was not allowed to vote. I am
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I’ve watched KKK and the Sons of Confederate Veterans escorted by the police and treated with respect. I’ve watched the same police force drag my friend across a park and tell me to “keep it motherfucking moving” while we protested against racial hatred. So miss me with “proper.”.
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Brett Favre still owes the people.Of Mississippi millions of dollars.
INBOX: Trump Campaign Announces Brett Favre as a Special Guest Speaker in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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In my last DEI position, I was on a call w/ senior leaders leading a briefing & one of the directors wasn't muted. He said, "This is such a waste of time. I have trains stopped in Amsterdam. Who cares about this shit." I knew then what I felt before: DEI was dead in the water.
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If you mad about Britney’s conservatorship but defending the Touhy’s for putting Michael Oher in one, I got a confederate flag to sell you.
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Holding @Reese10Angel in my thoughts. This isn’t good for her mental health at all nor is it safe. I go to bball games regularly and have seen worse. Draymond still on the floor & Angel is nothing like him. This is nothing but anti-Blackness. It’s where we are as a country.
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Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, and the spirits of Gladys Sawyer and Janet Hooks, I was sworn-in today with my Daddy at my side as the first woman General Sessions Court Clerk in the court’s 80+ year history by Mayor Lee Harris. Thank you all for your support,
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Word on the street is that the Mayor is lobbying behind the scenes against @Justinjpearson’s reappointment. Nashville is telling him that if Justin is reappointed #Memphis won’t receive funding to remodel FedEx Forum. Money is talking. #TennesseeThree #TenneseeTwo.
Hey Memphis! Is the DEMOCRAT @MayorMemphis Jim Strickland standing in support of the #TennesseeThree, especially @Justinjpearson? Strickland MUST publicly come out and support the Shelby County Commissioners appointing Pearson to the vacant seat. TODAY.
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This woman just sat next to me at the airport and said “I wish I trusted Black women. Id sit here and have a conversation with you.” I looked around like uh who is she talking to lmao. And she’s a Black woman herself. It’s too early for this.
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Identified by @TheTNHoller as Preston Hemphill. Why is he still on the force @MayorMemphis @MEM_PoliceDept
Yal know there was also a white officer who tased Tyre Nichols that they’ve just conveniently opted not to mention?.
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Thank you, Shelby County. I am honored to continue to serve our community form Memphis to Lakeland to Collierville and everywhere in between. - General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer #memphis #shelbycounty #vote #gotv #elections #govote #winwithblackwomen #democracy #democrats
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I want folks to stop acting like racism only exists in Mississippi and the South. Please. Immediately. Thanks.
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Justin is my friend. Both Justins are my friends. I am immensely irritated about this entire situation, but glad the entire world gets to see how brilliant @brotherjones_ & @Justinjpearson are.
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I don’t recall UVA’s president being asked to step down after the Unite the Right rally. I don’t recall any southern public university president stepping down for flying the Confederate flag.
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Teddy Riley being a Trumper was not on my bingo card for today.
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I’ve decided to foster or adopt … in four years. Just putting it here because it’s heavy on my mind. When I had my hysterectomy, my dad told me “there’s a lot of Black babies need someone like you to love them. Some of them right here in Memphis.” I’ve never forgotten that.
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It’s the faces in the background for me. 😂😂😂. Stay mad.
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It’s official picture day and I’m wearing my mother’s pearls! I’m honored to be General Sessions Court Clerk-Elect Tamara A. Sawyer, the first woman and youngest person to hold this position. Thank you all for your support and confidence in my ability to be a transformative
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Twitter isn’t a big picture place but Allow me to reintroduce myself….I told my stylist “I want to cut my locs. I think they’ve absorbed my grief. It’s time to start over.” She validated that hair holds energy + I’ve had a wild six years. So we chopped! I love it y’all!
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You ever sit and think how pacified we are in the states. Formula shortage. Lettuce shortage. Eggs missing. Insurrectionists leading the house and winning elections. And we’re like “I think mauve is beautiful color choice for 2023” (it is but …).
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#TyreNichols is not a singular occurrence in Memphis. Please don’t go back to business as usual just because the officers were charged. We still pay Connor Schilling’s pension even though he murdered Darrius Stewart. MPD has resisted meaningful reform and will continue to do so.
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1000 supporters right now for @Justinjpearson gathered outside of the Lorraine Motel @NCRMuseum site of the assassination of Dr. MLK Jr. A beautiful sight and let’s keep this momentum for democracy and Black equality going. We. Cannot. Continue. To. Wait. #tennesseethree
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Policy that helps people is the best kind.
WATCH: Sen. Ossoff is introducing the Fresh Food Act, which would cut taxes for grocery stores that open and sell fresh food in underserved areas that lack access to fresh, healthy food.
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I keep seeing the news report the one line about peaceful protests instead of all the words the family said about Justice for their son. Here are the family’s demands. Here are community demands. Spread these. There’s much work to do. #TyreNichols
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@InLessThan30 @SimuLiu Girl! Im scrolling the comments like these people have to be kidding me.
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Not only will @Justinjpearson have to be reappointed. He will then have to run for a second time this year! Let’s put our money where our hearts are! Send $1 or $1800 (TN limit) today! #TenneseeThree #TennesseeTwo #memphis
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My girlfriends and I have each others locations on our phone 24/7. A guy asked me why women do that. I said because if I go home with you tonight and you kill me, they’ll know where my body is. He laughed. I was deadass. We not playing with that. Someone ALWAYS knows where I am.
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My brother asked me yesterday “y’all got food?” I was hot. Negro I am an adult and so is Daddy. I am a highly decorated speaker, writer, and former elected official. Of course we got food. He goes “I’m just asking.” Reader: I came home & opened the fridge. We did not have food.
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While we’re discussing plagiarism, it’s Elvis’ birthday week coming up. Should we dive in?.
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We have lost a giant. Brother Luther C. McClellan was the first Black person to graduate from @uofmemphis. He wasn’t allowed to eat in the cafeteria or stay in the dorms. Thank you Mr. McClellan for your commitment to your education & ours. This Black Tiger is grateful. #memphis
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My loud neighbor and his girlfriend have been arguing on the phone for two days about if he cheats. He said and I quote “I don’t do nothing but go to work and come home. Don’t nobody be over here!” Reader, I can confirm that is a lie.
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One of the cops was pepper sprayed by the other cop. When his vision cleared, he swarmed in and said “I’m gonna baton the hell out of him.” Beating Tyre for his partners’ over use of pepper spray. This is what happened when you put ignorant bullies in uniforms. #TyreNichols.
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Whoa lol. “Memphis” didn’t kill Dolph. And didn’t think twice is extreme because we as a city were devastated. This isn’t the narrative. Ja’s behavior has nothing to do with him being in Memphis.
Honestly, that’s my biggest fear. This is the same city that killed one of its most beloved rappers and didn’t think twice. You think they give a fuck about a NBA star who is moving a little too greasy?.
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Marsha Blackburn breaking plates and saying she’s smashing China has to be the worst commercial I’ve ever seen.
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Wait. This is a violent mob but Kyle Rittenhouse is seen as innocent? That’s gymnastics if I’ve ever seen them.
HAPPENING NOW: Violent mob chase after @TPUSA organizers, threatening to kill the conservatives. @toddstarnes @Mighty990KWAM
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I was about to engage w Boyce Watkins tweet about Jonathan Majors. But I won’t. Fashion doesn’t make men weak. Weak men beat women in jeans and a white tee all the time. But yes, a cape is the issue 🫠🥸🙄. Anyway, lemme go listen to some earth, wind, and fire and enjoy my day.
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Never seen you speak to the Memphis public. You won’t debate @VoteGloriaJ. Please. The person who can’t operate is you.
It’s been 57 days and Kamala Harris has yet to do ONE SINGLE formal press conference. The Democrats know she can’t operate off script.
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This has been stated as false by Tyre’s family. Please stop.
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So did I stop being a woman when I had a hysterectomy? Just checking if that’s how we’re defining womanhood on here today. 🙄.
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This flyer is being passed out by Turning Point at this evening’s Kyle Rittenhouse event. If @uofmemphis & @BHardgrave don’t want to denounce the white supremacy, do they not at least see the inherent danger in this message? On a college campus?
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Once again, my home address is being doxxed by people who don’t agree with my views. Using fear and violence to intimidate me into silence won’t work. It hasn’t worked in the past and it won’t now. I am sharing this to keep my family safe and so people know what happens when you
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My dear brother Representative @Justinjpearson is a force. I am so deeply honored that he took the time to stand with me and to use his gift to remind everyone why this election matters. Thank you Justin for calling for votes, protection, and support for me in this time. Early
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You never been to Memphis.
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After hearing @Justinjpearson’s mom speak today, I apologized to my dad for the stress my activism caused him and my mom. He said “no. I apologize. Because this fight should have been over. You all shouldn’t have to do this.” My. Eyes. Welled. Up. With. Love. And. Understanding.
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The University of Memphis my double Alma Mater where my mother was arrested as a student for protesting segregation. A school in a city that is majority Black. You’re allowing a racist and murderer to speak on campus @uofmemphis?.
🚨BIG NEWS🚨. Turning Point USA at the University of Memphis will be hosting @ThisIsKyleR 🇺🇸💯🔥💪🏼🐯. Get your FREE tickets TODAY: ‼️‼️. #YAYfor2A #BigGovSucks #CenshorshipisGameOver . @TPUSA | @tpusastudents | @tpusasc
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It’s an album by a Black woman. If my tweets don’t cater to you well baby this ain’t your day.
Why do you only try to cater to black people? Every post is about black people. Why not just people?.
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Tech layoffs continue. 8,000 layoffs at Amazon today. 10,000 coming from Microsoft. After a Record year of sales. The world is not okay.
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Memphis and people watching Memphis. There’s a mayoral race this year. Currently almost 40% of the budget goes to policing and 0% goes directly to education. #TyreNichols is another example of how this doesn’t work for us. Get involved and hold the candidates accountable to you!
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At the hearing on the millions Favre stole from Mississippi families, people asked for his autograph. 🤦🏽♀️.
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Folks are rabid for Carlee to do jail time. Like we haven’t been talking about what jail does to people. Like Carlee did something to anyone but herself. Like you pay taxes in Hoover, AL.
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The @uofmemphis has Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on 2A and the lies of BLM. Make it make sense President @bhardgrave. Please help me understand this happening in this 65% Black city.
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What the state of Tennessee is doing to TSU is not just a despicable but a symbol of their consistent infantilizing of Black Tennesseans. It is also a dangerous precedent of the continued delegalization of our autonomy and personhood.
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The fact that @Justinjpearson used the balance of his #Easter sermon to lift up the power of Black women as witnesses, as advocates, as messengers, as the foundation. This is why he’s special to me. #TennesseeThree #TennesseeTwo
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Fenty called. They want their eyeliner back.
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It always stands out to me who state troopers will protect. Compare this to their response to people standing for what’s right. You’ll escort Kyle Rittenhouse and protect him, but you’ll arrest Covenant Moms, or Palestinians, or civil rights protesters.
From @NoApologies901 — @TNHighwayPatrol Troopers showing up on campus for the TP USA Kyle Rittenhouse event there tonight…
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Dear, @NikkiHaley and all who continue to promote the false narrative that enslavement of Black ppl wasn’t the sole reason for the Civil War. Let’s take a little walk down history lane using the Confederate states own words on why they seceded from the United States shall we. 🧵.
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If you wear costumes on Oct 31, but say #Kwanzaa is made up….If you buy candy on Feb 14, but say Kwanzaa isn’t real….If you eat turkey the last TH in Nov, but call Kwanzaa fake….If you love Santa, but you question Kwanzaa….Then your issue isn’t the origin, it’s the purpose.
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Lincoln never imagined a Black president bc he wanted Black people sent back to Africa. President Obama likely would not have been born at least not to an African man & white woman. Additionally, Lincoln did not free enslaved people in great number. Please stop the mythos.
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1st Easter w/o my mom. She was heavy on my mind. Then, Mrs. Pearson spoke on being the mom of one caught in the crosshairs of this fight for Justice. I heard my mommy. Thank you to my brother @Justinjpearson for inviting me today & making sure I was on time. I sure was blessed.
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@BrandonLBradfor @kevinsssssssss4 Literally the son of preacher. You know who he sounds like? His daddy. Y’all are tripping.
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Why would they put politics aside in a memorial for people murdered because of racism? I’m confused.
The boos from the crowd in Jacksonville were so loud for Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis that Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman had to stop the Governor to settle the crowd and remind them to put politics aside in this moment.
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I love Whoopi, but folks who are still talking about "millennials don't work" are out of touch. Like y'all. we're 40.
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@shizzyshane215 @allyfinancial All the other banks in the comments saying “we do this too” cracks me up.
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My battery died but I’m back!!!!! Celebrating the reappointment of my friend @Justinjpearson to the TN House of Representatives. Y’all we did that!!!! The vote was 7-0! The 4 Republican commissioners chose not to attend. However Justice prevailed! #tennesseethree #memphis
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A few weeks ago Judge Joe Brown used words like irrelevant, wannabe and nobody to refer to me. Last night, Judge Brown came in 7th out of 17 with 1,028 votes. In 2019, I placed 3rd out of 11 with 6,666 votes. Neither of us won, but I beat Joe Brown. Keep my name out your mouth.😁.
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If attending the special called meeting on Wednesday to support @Justinjpearson, please be prepared to show quiet support. Allow the commission to do their business quickly, so we can get Justin back to his seat without issue. Signs are welcome. Thumbs up as well. #TennesseeThree.
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For those of you caught up in whether there will be “riots,” in #Memphis when the #TyreNichols video drops. Who are more concerned with tranquility. Who are getting groceries and gas today in case the heathens come out. Let me just drop some good brother #MLK for ya.
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2009 - (age 46) spent 5 days in jail for drunk driving.1997 - (age 34) threw someone through a bar window.2019 - (age 56) threatened to hit a female reporter during an interview.But hey Chuck, tell us more about the 23 year old not deserving a chance to get it together.
Charles Barkley goes off on people on television defending Ja Morant.
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Some white families responded to integration in Memphis by destroying and burying buses. But they tell us not to march lol.
62 years ago Tuesday, the Memphis 13 enrolled into predominantly white schools, integrating the city’s public school system.
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This! I keep telling folks “Gen Z will save us” is ignoring the fact that kids are indoctrinated to white supremacy from birth.
Please note the Jacksonville gunman was in his early 20s. Implying that racism will simply evaporate after a certain generation is foolish and naive. It also absolves people from having to do any real work. Racism + white supremacy are thriving problems in our society that are.
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Am I tipping my hat to every Black woman also wearing a cowboy hat and saying “Happy Cowboy Carter day?” Yes. Yes I am. #COWBOYCARTER
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Feel good stories often don’t make me feel good. Headline: 19 y/o lives in tent two years and graduates valedictorian. People: OMG What a testament! Look at God! .Me: WTF WAS A HS STUDENT LIVING IN A TENT FOR TWO WHOLE YEARS? WHERE IS THE SUPPORT SERVICES?.
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@solomonmissouri Talking about he was walking around to get his creative juices flowing. So were they.
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She could have retired 10-15 years ago. We are in this moment right now where she “has” to stay because she didn’t build a bench, pass the torch, or think about the future. So yeh, maybe we’re stuck now but the conversation about WHY is she still there goes back years.
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Re: Beyoncé & the flag:.“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually…” - James Baldwin.
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Yesterday these two men came to my home. My father answered the door and they asked for me by my full government name. Andy said he didn’t know who that is. However, they were insistent that I lived there and that they were informed that “I deeply needed prayer.” My father
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What a failure by TN GOP.
HAWKINS COUNTY: As Tennessee Republicans block multiple bills (from both parties) to give kids free meals in schools, @Arbys has stepped in to wipe away lunch debt. Feeding kids should not be controversial.
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What’s next? I have heard from several.Black students who are dissatisfied with their experience on campus. As an alum, I will stay connected with them to support their self advocacy. We will also connect the Black students with community orgs to offer healing & restoration.
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Omg this is why you’re the 🐐!!!! Thank you. Y’all listen to @dawnstaley and go vote tomorrow!!!!!.
@tamisawyer @GaleJonesCarson @Shelbydem @tndp Memphis one of your peeps asked me to do this video so I felt compelled to do so. Get out and vote and keep voting!! Bless up!
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Final vote totals are in y’all. We won by 2,000 votes. Thank you to all the voters and everyone who supported #TeamTami. Now it’s time to transform the GS Clerk’s office to ensure justice and safety for all. 🩷
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