Activism on Social Media
Although nothing compares to actively seeking change in the community, real-time exposure to important issues is the first way many individuals learn of social injustices across the world.
Meet the Young Activists of Today's Mississippi
Senior physics major Arekia S. Bennett is a strong advocate for human rights. The 20-year-old Jackson native is a full-time student at Jackson State University, and in her spare time spends her days fighting for the rights of Jacksonians.
Songs that Saved Our People
These tunes all have two things in common: They are all about making the world a better place, and they really groove.
Groups We Dig
Mississippians are passionate about many issues. From women's rights to immigration, the Jackson metro is home to a spectrum of organizations that strive to make a difference.
Young Courage: Freedom Riders, ‘61
Meet more civil-rights heroes at www.mscivilrightsveterans.com/ and www.crmvet.org.
Before Freedom Summer: A timeline
May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court rules "separate but equal" unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
Freedom Summer: Road Map
This GOOD Ideas issue acknowledges people who have done and continue to do amazing things for Mississippi and the world at large.
Speak Up to Live Longer?
Being far away from neighbors and businesses creates a feeling of isolation.
Hey, Millennials: ‘We the People’ Must Guard, Expand Our Freedoms
Looking into our past prepares us for the future. It is evident that concept has become a cliche, but very rarely is it easy to interpret the parallels and patterns that history has laid out for us.
#inspireJXN
The Jackson Free Press interns need your help in giving young changemakers a pat on the back. Use the hashtag, #InspireJXN and tweet about the people that you admire most in the community. Here are some of the people who inspire us.
Young Activists: Stand Up
During the summer of 1964, young people around my age and older were the pioneers and advocates who led the movement that changed the United States of America.
Taking MAEP to the People
After three weeks on the job, Better Schools, Better Jobs had signatures of 40,000 Mississippi voters for Initiative 42, which would require the state Legislature to fund "an adequate and efficient system of free public schools" in order to "protect each child's fundamental right to educational opportunity through 12th grade."
Setting Down Financial Roots
In an effort to shield Mississippi residents from predatory lenders, the Mississippi Center for Justice launched New Roots Credit Partnership, which helps connect residents to affordable banking.
Drilling Ruling Another Win for Gulf Boosters
When Derrick Evans talks about the challenges facing his home of Turkey Creek and the people who inhabit the community that former slaves founded on the Mississippi Gulf Coast near Gulfport, one word that comes up over and over: biblical.
Tyrone Hendrix Bests Sweet, Takes Ward 6
Tyrone Hendrix is used to managing campaigns, but his recent foray into politics as a candidate also proved successful.
Hinds Inmates Can Get HIV Tests
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is taking its HIV and AIDS prevention work to the jailhouse.
Donovan Barner
Voting rights acts, education and politics aren't the normal topics of conversation for many teenagers, but they're part of 16-year-old Donovan Barner's everyday conversation.
My Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer's 50th anniversary festivities are drawing to a close, but the future is at the feet of those young change-makers who aim to learn from its successes and apply them to the needs in their communities.
Sweet Crude: Tradition & Innovation
When musicians Sam Craft and Alexis Marceaux began forming their patented "indie-rock Louisianais" as Sweet Crude, they didn't intend to limit themselves.
The Alternative Supper Club
Brandon Smith was teary-eyed as she stood in front of more than 20 friends, family members and fellow foodies. She couldn't believe that she had pulled it off—the first Underground Supper Club event.