Shaundelle Brooks: A voice we need in the House

Interview and Endorsement for House District #60

Friends, I’ve been away for a bit- enjoying relatives in Atlanta and NJ, a family wedding in Philadelphia, and a Shakespeare performance in Virginia- all perfect venues to pick up Covid, which I did. But before that, I had the pleasure of interviewing several exciting candidates running for Tennessee state and federal offices, which I will begin posting this week, as Early Voting is underway for the August 1 Primary.

I begin with Shaundelle Brooks, who is competing in the Democratic Primary against Tyler Brasher for District 60 House Seat. Just a few days ago, another candidate, John Wayne Parrish dropped out of the race and endorsed Shaundelle.

We NEED good people representing us at our State House, and I can testify that Shaundelle has been there day after day for years, trying to persuade legislators to pass smart gun laws - following the death of her son- and protect LGBTQI+ residents, immigrants, children, juveniles facing adult sentencing, over-policing of black- and brown- bodied people and those with mental health challenges, and the reproductive rights of women.

Among Shaundelle’s key endorsements are: The Equity Alliance, Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, Change Tennessee, and the National Women’s Political Caucus. She has also received the End Gun Violence Candidate Distinction from Mom’s Demand Action. Shaundelle is expecting additional endorsements from Everytown, USA, and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC).

The Nashville Scene reported in its July 12th story, Campaign Finance Disclosures Show Movement for State and County Races, “Democrat Shaundelle Brooks is outearning her opponents on either side of the aisle.” However, if she is going to win in the August 1 Primary and go on to beat the Republican candidate in the General Election on November 5th, she still needs your help.

1.) Remember to VOTE and encourage others to do the same- stand with Shaundelle so she can stand with you!!!

2.) Even if you don’t live in District 60, support Shaundelle’s candidacy by SHARING this SUBSTACK with others who may live in District 60 or know others who do.

3.) VOLUNTEER to send out postcards, make calls, and/or knock on doors- when people meet and learn about Shaundelle they understand she is a candidate who truly cares and we need to let others know SHE WILL REPRESENT THEM at the Legislature.

As always, thanks for believing that Tennessee can become a place where we are all embraced and can reside and thrive in peace and harmony. It’s really not too much to ask and strive for, and Shaundelle is poised to help make it happen!! Michele

BELIEVE (Click link)- “Even the hard times turn out to be blessings”

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Question 1: When asked about her background, the first thing Shaundelle mentioned is that her parents were both police officers and she became a parole officer in Nashville, after moving here from New York when she was 22 years old. She is also a child of Caribbean immigrants and is grateful for her varied background. Shaundelle is also a devoted mother to 4 children.

Question 2: Asked about her trajectory from her earlier life, including studying criminal justice and sociology in college, to her run for District 60 House seat, Shaundelle shared the killing of her son, Akilah DaSilva in the Waffle House Mass shooting and how that changed her life forever (you will note that Shaundelle always wears a button with Akilah’s picture on it). After she lost her son she decided she needed to speak out about gun violence in our country so no other family suffers like her family has suffered. After the last 6 years of trying to bring change to policies at the State Legislature, Shaundelle decided to run for office to bring her passion for people to the creation of change she wants to see in Tennessee.

Question 3: Shaundelle shared her thoughts regarding the intersection between gun control and Second Amendment rights, noting the contrast between her parent’s relationship with guns, given their employment as police officers, and the death of her son by a gun in the hands of someone with a mental health challenge. Shaundelle believes in restriction and intervention to prevent the random proliferation of guns, the need for safe storage, keeping guns out of the hands of children and those with mental health challenges, and banning assault rifles.

Question 4: Other public policy concerns beyond gun control that Shaundelle wants to address at the Legislature are: NOT arming teachers; promoting women’s rights, civil rights, and LGBTQI+ rights; passing affordable health care; protecting our democracy; and the many issues facing ordinary people in Tennessee.

Question 5: When asked about the issues people are raising on the campaign trail as she canvases District 60, in addition to guns Shaundelle shared the story of a father of a trans child who feared talking to her because of his neighbors but wanted to express his concern about bills being passed to restrict the rights of trans children in the state. Shaundelle expressed her understanding that every parent wants to protect their child and she assured this man that everyone should be safe and protected regardless of who they love and how they live their life.

Question 6: Asked to talk about the bills passed during this past legislative session, Shaundelle observed that the Super Majority Republicans are not listening to their constituents. Instead, they’re doing whatever they want. Whether Republican or Democrat, Shaundelle contends that we all want the same thing. Had she been there, she would have voted for removing the tax off groceries, for women’s rights, the passage of gun laws, preventing private school vouchers, and for childcare assistance.

Shaundelle concluded that her litmus test for governance will be paying attention to what people need and want and then passing bills that will help people build a better life. This is the change she hopes to bring to the Legislature.

Question 7: Regarding reproductive rights and reproductive justice, Shaundelle said that she is hearing from women, particularly black women, who are afraid of legislation that is limiting their control over their own bodies. She has seen the impact of not having insurance or resources, where black and brown women are losing their lives over the lack of affordable health care and the impact of laws that are in place now. Shaundelle also referenced her own fear about her daughter’s health and said she encourages her to pay attention to what is happening politically, especially in a state like Tennessee.

Shaundelle concluded that she feels every woman should have access to contraceptives and IVF care and asked, “What is wrong with that?”

Question 8: In distinguishing herself from the other candidates in the race for House District 60, in addition to being the only woman and person of color, Shaundelle contends that her prime asset is having actively engagement in policy conversations every day for the past 6 years, including attendance at legislative sessions and hearings. She has given voice to people’s concerns, fought hard, and stood up for them. She now wants to “take it to the inside.”

I then posed a few quotes for Shaundelle to respond to from the an article in Southern Cultures-Center for the study of the American South: The Rhetoric and the Reality of the New Southern Strategy They are pulled from an interview with Courtland Cox (1960s SNCC leader), Nsé Ufot (New Georgia Project) and Charles V. Taylor (NAACP-Mississippi leader) and edited by Emilye Crosby (SNCC Legacy Project)

Quote 1: “If we play by the House rules, how can we win when the House always wins?”

Shaundelle replied, “We have to Vote.” She went on to share that her parents taught her to vote and she and her children will be voting on August 12th, the first day of early voting, because otherwise, “You have no voice.”

Quote 2: “Politics is the Expression of Economic Interests” OR “How can millions of voters beat billions of dollars?”

Shaundelle said she understands this can make people feel helpless and hopeless but it makes her want to fight more because her ancestors died to be sure she had a voice so she’s not going to stand by and watch them try to take away the right to vote from her and others.

In response to an often-asked question, why don’t young black men see voting as important today when compared to the pressing realities they face of racial discrimination and the failure to address basic survival needs, Shaundelle thoughtfully responded:

Quote 3: What do you think about the Co-Governance Model of leadership discussed in the article?

Shaundelle noted that it’s not just about voting and walking away but instead, people need to hold elected leaders accountable for what they say on the campaign trail by showing up, asking questions, staying engaged, and remaining connected.

Question 9: When asked if there was anything else she wanted to say about her candidacy Shaundelle responded:

Question 10: For those wanting more information about your campaign, volunteer, and/or make a donation, how can they contact you?

Website: Shaundell Brooks for State House District 60 (click here)