The Progressive State of Tennessee

Tennessee is one of those states where a smooth and heavy silence covers over problems and disagreements that run deep in every community. There's a kind of pact of pleasant appearances that interferes with open discussion, and the use of hard-hitting code words to keep folks in their "proper place". The state's tourist motto: "Tennessee Sounds Good To Me" describes the official smiling face that covers up a more ugly expression underneath.

We were recently disturbed to find out that to oppose the Republicans' ultra-conservative Bob Corker in 2012's statewide senate race, Democratic Party voters in Tennessee decided to place Mark Clayton, an avowed anti-gay bigot who promotes Christian theocracy, on the ballot. The Democrat and the Republican are both unacceptable. Fortunately , Jim Maynard is stepping in as a write-in candidate for those liberal Tennesseans who cannot stomach either Corker or Clayton. Another reasonable alternative is Green Party Senate Candidate Martin Pleasant.

Progressives like Maynard and Pleasant have long been struggling against societal inertia in Tennessee, and we created this page of Tennessee progressive resources in order to lend a hand. Tennessee's public silence is so pervasive, however, that it can be very difficult to find progressives there, even if they want to be found. We're looking for help in expanding out listings here. So, if you know of any progressive candidates, information resources or organizations in Tennessee that we don't have listed here, let us know so that we can consider including them in our growing index.