Tennessee State Rep. Antonio Parkinson says the redrawing of Memphis' congressional districts has made voter participation even more important for the city's Black communities.
During a conversation with the Black Information Network's Vanessa Tyler at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, Parkinson discussed redistricting, voter turnout and navigating the Tennessee legislature as a Democrat.
Tennessee lawmakers approved a new congressional map in May that dismantled the state's only majority-Black congressional district and divided Memphis and Shelby County among three majority-white districts. The former 9th Congressional District had a Black voting-age population of about 61%.
Parkinson criticized the new map and discussed what he believes it means for Black political representation in Memphis. The redistricting has faced multiple legal challenges, with opponents arguing that it unlawfully dilutes Black voting power. State Republican lawmakers have maintained that the map was drawn for partisan, rather than racial, purposes.
Despite serving in a legislature where Republicans hold a supermajority, Parkinson also reflected on his efforts to work across party lines and advance legislation addressing issues affecting his district.
Turning to voter participation, Parkinson stressed the importance of increasing turnout in Shelby County, particularly among younger voters. He argued that Memphis voters still have significant political power despite the changes to the congressional map.
Parkinson said lasting political change requires communities to remain engaged and take an active role in elections and the decisions affecting their neighborhoods.
Listen to the full conversation below!
For more of our interviews from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference, check out Our Voices!
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