MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee legislature is trying to flex its muscle in some pretty usual ways. To put it mildly, lawmakers, mostly Republicans, want to tell the city of Memphis who it can and cannot hire for public safety jobs. Some GOP legislators also want to put a stop to college athletes kneeling during the national anthem.
On the employment front, state Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown is pushing a bill that would supersede residency rules in Memphis. Essentially, the bill would allow public safety employees to live anywhere they please. It has some bipartisan support, and police director Mike Rallings supports it as well. Critics say policies on residency should be left to local government and local residents. But as we all know, Tennessee’s legislature is never bashful about meddling in local issues.
Which brings us to the other controversy of kneeling during the national anthem. Some lawmakers are furious that basketball players at state universities are taking a knee during the anthem – in silent protest against racial inequities. On Monday, all 27 Republican senators sent letters to presidents and chancellors at state schools – demanding that they enact policies banning kneeling.
It’s just one more example of this legislature’s willingness to engage in culture wars – if there is political benefit. But telling local government what to do is one thing. Trying to intimidate college students is something else. And that’s my point of view.