Tennessee state representative Justin J. Pearson (D) has defended his decision to wear a dashiki at the state Capitol after criticism from fellow Republicans who said he should “explore different career opportunities” if he doesn’t like the decom rules.
Pearson faced criticism for wearing a dashiki, a loose tunic originally from West Africa, on the floor of the house after winning a special election last month.
Pearson, who was sworn in as a state representative while wearing a dashiki, told Tennessee’s WMC-TV that wearing the clothes was a way to “pay respect to the ancestors who created” the opportunity.
Some House Republicans, however, were not so warm towards Pearson’s show of respect.
Tennessee Rep. David Hawk (R), who did not name Pearson in his speech last week, brought up the story of the late Black Democrat and former speaker pro tempore, Lois DeBerry, as reflected in the officials’ outfit in the House.
He said DeBerry, who died in 2013, once warned him not to walk in the front door without a tie.
“We honor the memory of Lois DeBerry in the way we look and the way we treat each other and the way we give each other the respect that we hope to return. I still, to this day, keep an extra tie in my drawer,” Hawk said.
Pearson, after the speech, wrote on Twitter that she was attacked for choosing to wear a dashiki on the floor of the House.
“Resistance and subversion to the status quo should make some people uncomfortable,” he said.
The Tennessee House GOP Twitter account, in response, criticized Democrats for not liking the decolonization “rule” in the House.
“If you don’t like the rules, maybe you should explore a different career opportunity that your primary goal is not to create,” the tweet said.
Several news outlets noted that there are no written “rules” of etiquette and, in the words of a spokesman for Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R), men’s dress habits — ties and suits — are part of House “precedent.” by DeBerry.
House manners and dress are things the House speaker leaves behind, WPLN-FM said.
“The Speaker will continue to follow the precedent and path set by Ms. DeBerry to honor her and her incredible legacy in our legislature,” a spokesperson told CNN.
Pearson told WKRN-TV that the use of DeBerry’s legacy by Republicans was “wrong and disrespectful.”
“If they really care about Lois DeBerry’s legacy, let’s see them legislate for justice,” he said.
Pearson reportedly does not plan to resign and called out the Republic through chatter about his dashiki.
“Whether it’s people who want to wear drag or people who have different abilities or people who want to read certain books, taking power from people’s agency is the theme of this body,” Pearson said.