Two Memphians made it their duty to make sure their city was represented in talking with state legislators about solutions regarding gun rights and safety.
Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton are members of what has become known as the “Tennessee 11” or “TN11”: Eleven Tennesseans from across the state who created five gun-rights and safety proposals, and presented them to state legislators. Proposals include developing “gun-issue literacy” for schools as well as tools for “responsible gun ownership.”
According to the nonprofit organization, Starts With Us, the proposals were shared online for public feedback, and 2,500 Shelby County residents weighed in. Tori Larned, communications manager of Starts With Us, said this was a part of a civic experiment called Citizen Solutions.
“Tennessee is the first state in the nation to participate in this innovative problem-solving process,” said Larned in a statement. “These two women ensured Memphis had a voice in the solutions.”
Gipson Martin and Hampton are both Memphis natives who have historically played an active role in changing their communities for the better.
Gipson Martin has worked for the Shelby County Government for six years in different capacities, such as public health and victim services.
“I’ve been able to look at community from a different aspect,” said Gipson Martin. “More importantly the ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and the trauma that are within a lot of communities. I think that perspective is what I took with me when I was able to connect with the Tennessee 11.” She says that sitting down with people with different perspectives and value sets proved to be an “incredible experience.”
Hampton is currently a college student at Texas Southern University, and pinpoints 2021 as the beginning of her advocacy work, after losing her best friend to gun violence. She said she experienced a range of emotions, and felt the best way to grapple with them was by staying busy.
“After his funeral arrangements, and everything calmed down, I needed somewhere to put all that energy,” said Hampton. “I put it towards a nonprofit called Operation R.A.E (Resources, Acess, and Education.)”
According to Hampton, she jumped into a “very busy world” at a young age, but through her work with Operation R.A.E., she was able to do more research with gun violence. It also opened her eyes as to how her city was “plagued by the epidemic.”
Both women wanted to make sure their city was well represented during their brainstorming sessions with the other TN11 members. For Hampton, this meant making sure she used her voice at the table.
“We were given a seat at the table, so it was about what we did with our seat at the table,” said Hampton. “That was making sure that I showed up and I was able to capture everyone’s story – making sure that when decisions had to be made that I gave my input.”
Gipson Martin said she wanted to make sure she showed up as her authentic self, while also being a voice for other marginalized and underrepresented groups.
“As a Black woman, it’s really important when I walk into spaces that I show up as my full self,” said Gipson Martin. “There’s so much diversity in being a Black woman, and I wanted to echo that as much as possible. But also listening in and realizing what wasn’t being said, like any elephants that weren’t being addressed or undertones we weren’t speaking life to.”
Having those “tough conversations” was essential for Gipson Martin, as well as combatting stereotypes with factual evidence and data. She said this was how they were able to paint a “truer narrative” of what’s happening in the city.
“When you bring data to it, when you bring statistics to it, you paint a clearer narrative of what’s at stake and what’s really happening,” said Gipson Martin. “You are also able to get people to lower their guards and have a better conversation.”
Both women acknowledge that the work that they and lawmakers are doing is important, and they urge them to not grow weary, and that they can “find solutions together.”
“You can put the basic needs of all Tennesseans in front of any other personal things you’ve got going on,” said Gipson Martin. “If you do that, and focus on that, then we can create solutions.”
Hampton echoed these sentiments, and urged legislators to “embody the spirit of constructive dialogue,” adding, “You can’t go anywhere without having a conversation where you not only listen for understanding but speak to be understood. It takes an appreciation of all perspectives for this to be able to work.”
