Sunday Always Comes!: A Message of Hope and Resilience [9780063452251]

Overview

Sunday Always Comes! is the triumphant and deeply personal memoir of Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, chronicling his rise as a young, defiant leader and his pivotal role as one of the "Tennessee Three."

Sunday Always Comes! traces Justin Pearson’s evolution from a student advocating for textbooks in high school to a voice for change for politics in Tennessee and nationwide, as he chronicles how he and Representative Justin Jones were removed from the Tennessee House while the White female representative who joined them in advocating for constituents protesting against gun violence– Gloria Johnson—was spared, an astonishing act of bigotry.

This book illuminates the resilience of democratic principles and the transformative power of civic engagement. Sunday Always Comes! reveals how Pearson overcame challenges, standing up to tyranny. It is also a primer for people of good conscience filled with strategies and tactics for elevating civic engagement to unprecedented levels, especially among the GenZ and Millennials.

Through vivid storytelling and raw emotion, Pearson takes readers behind the scenes of pivotal moments in his life and career, from his swearing-in ceremony in a dashiki that challenged the status quo to the harrowing days following the Covenant School shooting. He recounts the relentless fight for gun reform, the systemic racism and patriarchy he faced in the legislature, and the personal toll of standing up for justice. The narrative is both deeply personal and profoundly universal, weaving together his own experiences with the broader struggles of marginalized communities.

He offers an intimate, unfiltered account of the events leading up to and following his expulsion, as well as a roadmap for building a “Movement for Justice Rooted in Love.”

Pearson’s voice is both prophetic and grounded, drawing on his faith, his ancestors’ resilience, and the unwavering support of his family and community. His words resonate with the urgency of now, as he calls for action against gun violence, systemic oppression, and the erosion of democracy.
At its heart, Sunday Always Comes! is a testament to the enduring power of hope and the promise of resurrection, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Pearson’s closing speech before his expulsion, infused with the spirit of his ancestors and the teachings of his faith, serves as a rallying cry for all who believe in justice, love, and the possibility of a better future. This memoir is not just a recounting of events—it is an invitation to join a movement, to fight for change, and to believe that no matter how dark the night, Sunday always comes.