Allison Russell on controversy surrounding a TN lawmaker blocking a resolution honoring her

Following her first Grammy win for “Best American Roots Performance,” Nashville-based artist Allison Russell faces a legislative snub in Tennessee as Republicans blocked a resolution to honor her achievements. Russell spoke to "CBS Mornings" about that controversy.
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@Sassmouth4.0]

As a Nashvillian the Tennessee 3 are my heroes. As a Tennessean I am deeply ashamed of our State Government's continued racist ideologies making their way to legislation of policy. I celebrate Allison Russell and will see her in my local museums who I know will celebrate her accomplishment. Keep voting Tennessee!!

[@AJ8888able]

Oh Tony, at some point you have to "call a thing a thing." Let's not gloss over the obvious because it makes us uncomfortable. If we do things will never change, then again that probably works in your favor. You do this quite often. These people have a history of unjust decision making. Congratulations, Allison Russell!

[@Chicago48]

Who is she? What does she sing?

[@carme153]

Agree with you! I'm glad someone else sees it. He takes this position on most things like this. I even noticed him not looking at her when she was speaking about her Grammy..looking down at his paper. I really don't appreciate his devil's advocate perspective on "controversial" topics that aren't controversial at all but pretty clear cut

[@debbiedavid3151]

Eve is black. However this woman is biracial.

[@nicolemathis6155]

Thank you for stating these truths!

[@tandt7694]

Folk singer. A song called "Eve was Black"...​@@Chicago48

[@Judy-et4ex]

Anyone else recall Georgia publically apologising to Ray Charles? Tennessee should come into modern times. Beautiful and talented young lady!

[@Sassmouth4.0]

Nashville is there - we are trying to get the rest of the state in line!!!

[@katherinewatkins4182]

They can't handle the truth!

[@dr.peppermintpatty4925]

She’s so pretty and unassuming to say the least… the conduct of the Tennessee house is terrible

[@jdice6868]

Good for Justin Jones for not giving up. He and the other members of the TN3 (Justin Pearson & Gloria Johnson) continue to work for their constituency in spite of the gerrymandered supermajority blocking their efforts at every turn. No Justins, No Peace!

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

I love this woman. Her music is wonderful and she's so talented.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

It’s among the states I won’t visit unless this crap changes.

[@Sassmouth4.0]

Bless you. As a Tennessean I am so deeply ashamed of our state government.

[@Staywoke7909]

You’re not gonna miss anything here in Nashville, everything downtown is geared toward country music and no other music and it’s pretty expensive to hangout!!

[@johnathantaylor3199]

Yet, they say racism is dead!!!

[@elen9343]

Tennessee want to said that they've changed but unfortunately there action said other wise ! It's all about racism and unfortunately some haven't changed in this state !

[@marydortch9034]

Congratulation, you are a beautiful person job well done❤❤❤❤❤

[@zinamckenzie5391]

Beautiful Blessings…. What God has given no one can take away….. Continue to Shine … you are an incredible talent with inspiration.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏽💖🌷

[@jae6506]

Allison carried herself beautifully☺️ This was indeed an act of hate and discrimination. We’re not fooled by any distractions they throw our way and we will not stand for it!!

[@dianewiegel7136]

Yes, we need to motivate the 40% who don't vote to vote for humanity and care

[@rustygribbler1380]

But they can sure allow to have child brides and can pass laws on that but not an artist .

[@kenrose4854]

I'm a fan of Birds of Chicago. Congratulations Allison

[@stevencampbell365]

Go Strong Beautiful Lady 💪🙏

[@KeepGoingGlobal]

Just beautiful and she needs to be going viral

[@rodrickhudson6537]

Peace to AR! Congrats on the win Sis!

[@anthonytrufant8058]

I’m saddened, yet not surprised to hear of this. Allison has managed this w/intelligence, grace, and wit. Good for her. Bad for the Tennesse State Legislature. Shame on them! Honoring one but dishonoring the other in such a blatant manner.

[@WaldoBagelTopper]

Allison is Canadian. That's why she didn't win an award that is SPECIFICALLY for Tennessee natives who won a Grammy. When they create a CANADIAN natives who won a Grammy award, Im sure Russell will win it. But as it stands, she did not qualify for the award. Not qualifying for something does not mean that racism is involved. It means the award was for a category she didnt qualify in. I'm not black. Is it considered racist if I dont win a BCALA Literary award?

[@KenpoKid77]

And how do you that is the reason why they turned it down? Did someone in Congress specifically say that's the reason? If so, where's the quote, and how come you didn't cite that already? If they haven't said it, why not....if that's the actual reason? Nice try.

[@CowgirlConcerts]

@@WaldoBagelTopper Hayley Williams is from Mississippi.

[@Ladylove5487]

Until we all put a stop to racism it will continue Im happy for her win but she was discrimination against ❤

[@housepianist]

Unfortunately, racism will never stop. It’s been going on since biblical times and it will be around until the end. The best we can do is minimize it and hope that some racists will start to understand their ways and make some changes. Otherwise, this kind of behavior will never cease.

[@Ladylove5487]

@@housepianist because some people can't let go of hate

[@housepianist]

@@Ladylove5487 they probably don’t want to. Sad.

[@patrickaiken8403]

She is incredible.

[@nkind6962]

There really was no reason for Tony to make that statement..anyway, she’s Awesome.

[@troym1023]

not racism entirely. she has been an outspoken critic of the TN republican party and has: also Russell said she felt compelled to organize the concert to fight what she called “legislative terrorism.” The republicans aint giving her shyt, you can bet on that and win every time. they did the same thing to the Dixie Chicks. so yeah "maybe" race had a little part but most of it came from her actively calling them on their BS.

[@krise5351]

❤

[@nicolemathis6155]

Allison Russell I am so proud of you! You are part of the reshaping of folk and country occurring right now-one forged with Rhiannon, you, and others from truth telling and honoring the blood of our ancestors thru the Diaspora. You are a force. Tennessee must be shaking in its boots.

[@WaldoBagelTopper]

Tennessee is just fine. One of their natives just won an award. Congratulations to Paramore. When Canada, where Russell is from, makes an award for Canadian natives who won a grammy, then I am sure she will win it and we will clap for her.

[@KenpoKid77]

​@@WaldoBagelTopperParamore disagrees with your whole view on this. They are rejecting the honor, saying they won't accept it until Allsion gets hers too. Allison is from Canada, but she made her name in Nashville, and they know that. If being born in Canada is the reason, why not just say that? If that was the reason, if it was that simple, they would have said that already. They would've made a public statement about that, but instead they fall silent. Nice try.

[@BigNak364]

KARENS!!!

[@kennethpadgettflightparame3548]

Present day MAGA Republicans.

[@phyllisclark4450]

I will no longer interested in

[@osirismoon]

It seems Republican like being cruel just for the hell of it.

[@cherylharewood6125]

+++###I hope/pray that every African nation and people of African-descent file lawsuits for reparations from the Royal families, the USA🇺🇸 every day to the coming again of JESUS CHRIST🙏.And thank JESUS CHRIST FOR MAKING AFRICA GREAT AGAIN(MAGA).###+++

[@marydortch9034]

I am so sorry that happened to you, but if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, that goes quack, quack, it is a DUCK

[@krimsonedit3272]

Gayle fawning over Beyonce all the time is so sickening

[@turquoisepurple7sky151]

Then go watch something else

[@4everArtista]

Better than fawnig over Taylor🤮🤮🤮. So sick of her

[@turquoisepurple7sky151]

@@4everArtista Facts

[@gqg741]

IMPOSTER. GO ELSEWHERE. ✌️

[@troym1023]

you know the Beehive coming for you😂😂

[@KC-fs2ch]

With Tennessee demographic. It's almost impossible for anything to change. Let's not forget that Tennessee is the birthplace of the Klans and is said to have multiple Klans members in the State House

[@permijitdunkley1697]

Art copyrights laws printed on work for the year 2019; the work that is corrected!

[@michaelgarrett2266]

1st thank you Haley, for calling this exactly what it is. But being black i am not surprised by anything done by this GOP.