The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

The poor make life good for the wealthy in a regressive tax structure. Tennessee has the worst in the country! Carol Abney, CPA returns to tell us how the American Rescue Plan helps struggling businesses and families in distressed Clay County after Covid. The monied GOP supermajority sends in the suits to tell them what to do. The hospital is still closed.

Getting to the polls to exercise our right to vote and participate in Democracy should not be so difficult.  Former Congressional candidate Chris Hale discusses how federal bill HR-1 would make it easier for rural voices to be heard not drowned out by extremists, big contributors and unfairly drawn voting districts.  It is obviously time to standardize to stop the divisions that threaten who we are as Americans and Tennesseans.

Despite the state's rural initiative in 2018, Tennessee is home to 9 distressed counties where poverty has become persistent and generational. 30 more are at risk. Grundy County in Middle Tennessee in one of them.  Native resident Emily Partin has marshaled resources to improve the lives of children and families by renovating the old Tracy City High School to house multiple support programs. Could this be repeated in other rural counties?

Tamara Bates (political advisor of the TNDP) and Sandy discuss voter suppression that already exists in our state. Other red states try to go as low as Tennessee in stripping the right to vote from citizens. Restrictive photo ID’s, limited absentee balloting, no Sunday voting, no drop boxes, waiting periods and court battles for anything that would make the practice of democracy more convenient for working people, students, young, rural and senior voters. Protecting the voting box means protecting it from you with our conservative GOP majority.

Executive Director of the Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace Lisa Rung talks about her organization's activism and outreach.  They sponsor a variety of activities in rural communities that think globally and act locally... Maybe your group could use some fresh ideas: [email protected]

Sandy summarizes her trip to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and “lynching memorial” and searches for signs of its mission in our state. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Adrienne Pakis-Gillon knows about women in politics, from the passage of the 19th amendment to her disappointment with the representation of women in our GOP majority legislature. Ladies, can’t we do better for women and children in Tennessee? EPISODE CORRECTION: The correct dollar amount allocated to Tennessee under the American Rescue Plan is $900 million. $346 million is for Child Care Development Fund Flexible Funding and $554 million for Child Care Stabilization Funding. Source — The The White House Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces American Rescue Plan Funding to Rescue the Child Care Industry so the Economy Can Recover. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Elizabeth Madeira, an organizer for the Southern Christian Coalition, discusses recent Tennessee legislation and her views on the intersections between Christian morality and public policy. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

We need more diversity and inclusion in our national and state discussions. Tullahoma City Alderman Rupa Blackwell joins the show to discuss how she is helping to elevate these issues in her rural community. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Bruce Baird DDS joins to talk about the patients he volunteers to care for twice a month in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. Dental care is a basic need that all people have a right to - this is yet another area where Tennessee could do a better job for its citizens. Check out and support the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.