Tennessee State Rep. Cody Vannoy, 44, introduced HB-2117 on Monday, a measure requiring that all classroom references to American chattel slavery be immediately followed by the phrase “but in fairness, it was a different time.” The bill, which has 23 co-sponsors, also mandates that teachers pause for “a respectful three seconds” before continuing. Vannoy described the legislation as “balanced” and “the kind of thing both sides can get behind, frankly.” When asked which two sides he was referring to, Vannoy said he had a hard stop and walked into a supply closet, where he remained for the duration of the press scrum.