Op-Ed: Democracy Dies in the Darkness

By Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

(Editor’s Note: The following Op-Ed on the First Amendment expresses the subjective opinions and experiences of former Motlow State Community College student Mike Sparks. It serves as a good opportunity for educational discussion. Sparks is the co-host of "Rutherford Issues," a radio talk show on WGNS-AM/FM in Murfreesboro.)

            SMYRNA -- A few years ago, I decided to go back to Middle Tennessee State University and take the remaining few hours to complete my college degree. After attending a few semesters part time, I needed one additional class, and I decided to complete a Maymester course.

            I was searching the MTSU online platform and came across a class titled, “Free Expression.” The class at first really didn’t interest me until I met the professor, Dr. Larry Burriss. With the course titled “Free Expression,” I was expecting the class to be taught by someone in a tie-dye shirt and wearing sandals.

            On the contrary, the professor was a tough former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force who had served on active duty in various parts of the world and even at the Pentagon. Dr. Burriss held a wealth of knowledge and was well experienced in the many facets in the School of Journalism, including serving as the former director of the School of Journalism and dean of the College of Mass Communications.

            The subject was in regards to the expression of free speech and the First Amendment. I had often listened to Dr. Burriss’s commentary on WGNS-AM/FM Radio and enjoyed his insights and opinions. Needless to say, his “Free Expression” class and his lectures about the importance of the First Amendment peaked my interest.

            The subject of free expression encouraged me to take a few other journalism courses at the MTSU School of Journalism located in the John Bragg Building, named in honor of the former Tennessee State representative. All the MTSU journalism professors were thought-provoking and very helpful. I especially enjoyed completing former WTVF-TV legendary anchorman Chris Clark’s broadcasting class. Just hearing the sound of Professor Clark’s voice took me back to my younger years, since he was a huge part of coming into our family home via television and listening to him deliver the news every evening. 

            During Professor Clark’s first day of class, he handed each student a small card with the First Amendment written on it. As he handed it to me, I quoted Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I keep his First Amendment card with me each day. It reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

            Serving in and around politics for many years, I have personally witnessed false narratives used to attack those whom that particular media outlet disagreed with or didn’t line up with its political persuasion. Often times I have witnessed a headline that seems like it is being used to shed a negative light on an elected official with his/her words twisted and taken out of context.

            One experience I witnessed that violated the First Amendment was of an African-American church, Word of Life. Members were not allowed to worship in their own church. The irony is that a white church, Giles Creek Baptist Church, helped build that congregation’s church building by donating all the labor. The small church of little means was not allowed to hold services for two years due to an easement dispute with the city. The church was out of pocket in excess of $56,000 on building payments, a considerable sum, yet members couldn’t worship in their own church.

            I recall sitting in the Tennessee General Assembly just after a session a few years ago, asking Pastor Wellington Johnson to update me on the situation.

            He said, “Brother Sparks, I don’t know what else to do but to let it go.“

            I responded, “Pastor, you can’t let the church go.”

            To my surprise, when I mentioned this to a few local reporters, no one seemed to be concerned. Finally, Mikal Lewis, a former reporter with Fox 17, returned my call and reported on it. (To view the news report, search “Word of Life Lavergne” on YouTube).

            I have also personally witnessed a reporter calling me to ask for an interview. I asked, “What is the issue?” The reporter, who I knew and thought very highly of me responded, “There was a prayer said at the opening ceremony of Stewarts Creek High School.” I asked, “Who complained and why is this newsworthy?” He said, “No one complained, but I have to cover what my producers want me to cover?”

            Needless to say, I was rather surprised that WSMV-TV Channel 4 thought this was even newsworthy. Ironically, the reporter couldn’t find anyone in our community who complained, so he contacted a “separation of church and state” group in Washington, D.C., to get a comment.

            I have also witnessed an African-American church, Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church, a beautiful old church much like the one on “Little House On the Prairie,” suffer vandalism. It was heavily reported, but the kindness of Smyrna’s Parkway Baptist and a few other churches who donated to them afterward was not reported. In my opinion, often the media is more about drama and more interested in “clickbait headlines” and ad revenue than helping to find solutions. Naturally, many in the newsroom will not like or agree with my thoughts or experiences. I have found that many of them are good people, and I consider them friends of mine. I do believe it is the editors and newsroom producers who seek that drama to attract more eyeballs, thus sell more ads.

          Edmund Burke, the Irish-born British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political thinker said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Today it seems that many are very reluctant to do something, take a stand and voice their opinion for what they believe is right. Bob Dylan said, “The Times they are a-Changin’.”

          The times they are a-changin’, especially in the newspaper industry. Newsrooms have been hit very hard with over 1,800 newspapers shutting down since 2004, over 32,000 news personnel losing their jobs, and many rural areas becoming “news deserts” due to lack of reporting.

          Recently, I was proud to see my colleagues, both Republican and Democrats, pass my House Bill 0899, which exempts the taxes off monthly periodical newspapers. The effort may be a small one for our mom and pop newspapers, but it is a step that could save them a few hundred dollars each month to pay a reporter to cover their local school boards, potential solutions to an overcrowded landfill, local sports, and other important issues facing ones community.

          The First Amendment should be a vital concern for all American citizens, both Republican and Democrat, rich and poor, black and white, conservative or liberal, and others. Freedom of expression, no doubt, is the cornerstone of a free democratic society. Without it our society will suffer and Democracy dies in the darkness.