[Collier] When the Clock Ticks
The incessant tick-tock of the biological clock has been the cause of anxiety for women who haven't yet had children but want them, and those who are still waiting for "the one." I've never bought into the internal clock phenomenon much. Until I had a birthday recently, that is.
[Stiggers] You Are Making Us So Hot
Mr. Announcement: "Kunta 'Rahsheed X' Toby and the George Washington Carver Holistic Health Commission of Tuskeegee, Alabama, present 'Global Warming in the Ghetto,' a documentary film about climate changes in poor neighborhoods."
[Kamikaze] Punked ... Again
Politics sucks! More so, politicians suck! Around these parts, the whole damn lot of you should be ashamed. This is a wake-up call to everyone serving in public office in this city: the ones I support and the ones I criticize, the ones I consider allies and the ones I think stand in the way of progress.
Just the (Correct) Facts, Ma'am, on James Ford Seale Case
It's been interesting to watch the national media coverage of the arrest of James Ford Seale for the kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping of Henry Dee and Charles Moore in 1964. In some ways, the story has been a victim of the 24-hour news cycle, with small errors becoming headlines and big errors being completely overlooked or processed away.
[Hutchinson] Justice Demands More
The headline in many news accounts screamed "1964 killings finally solved." The headline referred to the indictment of suspected Klansman James Ford Seale on federal kidnapping charges in the murder of Charles Moore and Henry Dee in Mississippi. The two young blacks were kidnapped, savagely beaten and dumped into a river in 1964 by suspected Klan killers.
[Stiggers] Shafted by the Shift?
Grandpa Pookie: "Greetings, members of the Illumi-Nappy-Headed, Sausage Sandwich Sisters Electric Slide for World Peace and Rent Money, Stop the Ham Hocks and Decrease the Pork Grease Coalition, Women in Church Hats (Union # 297 1/3), and Ghetto Science Homeland Security Team. As a concerned chairperson of the Ghetto Science Team, I've ordered this special meeting because my senses have become quite sensitive. Maybe it's global warming or that Bubba Robinski soy protein sausage biscuit I ate. Nevertheless, I feel a paradigm shift. My concern today is how will people respond when the 'shift' moves to overdrive?
We're Sorry for the Murders of Dee and Moore
See full JFP Dee-Moore archive here.
When Thomas Moore came back to Mississippi in July 2005 looking for justice for the 1964 murders of his brother, Charles, and his friend, Henry Dee, he didn't know if he'd find it.
[Collier] When the Flavor Just Ain't Right
"You know, it's not the world that was my oppressor, because what the world does to you, if the world does it to you long enough and effectively enough, you begin to do to yourself," James Baldwin once said. He was an insightful man.
[Stiggers] Aunt Tee Tee's Superhighway
Momma Church Hat: "You're watching 'Dateline TV: Ghetto Science Team Neighborhood Watch Edition.' I'm reporting live from the front porch of Aunt Tee Tee Hustle. For two weeks, neighbors and close friends have witnessed some very unusual activity at her house. Since this afternoon, the GSTV camera crew (also part-time surveillance detectives from the 'Cheaters' reality television show) and I have been monitoring the strange activity from across the street with our consumer-brand digital camcorder and parabolic microphone.
[Kamikaze] Don't Be A Hater
I've had a pretty prosperous 2007 so far—getting called an "idiot" by a right-wing fanatic while co-hosting the Kim Wade Show; blogging back and forth with a few independent thinkers on the JFP Web site; winning a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Martin Luther King Banquet; and doing some much needed reading. Yes, guys, rappers read!
Only the Best Will Do
I grew up thinking I lived in the worst state in the country. I wasn't alone: I was surrounded by people with a collective inferiority complex—especially the ones who protested the most about what other people think of us, and how it doesn't matter.
[Gregory] I Want Everything
New Year's Day, the SciFi channel ran a "Twilight Zone" marathon—the old black-and-white ones. I watched for a few hours because I love that they allow the weirdo host to smoke during his introductions and that they created most of the episode's eerie feelings with no special effects, whatsoever. After all, in this day and age, I can't leave the house without applying a hell of a lot of special effects to my own face.
[Stiggers] An Already Angry Sista
TaaQweema: "I'm Boneqweesha's star student and Suma Cum Lawd Have Mercy graduate of the Hair Did University school of Cosmetology. You're watching 'Ask 'TaaQweema,' the new call-in and advice television show. Before I close, I must address a question via e-mail from 'AlreadyAngrySista-N-2007.' She writes:
Back To Basics
This week, the Democratic Congress is likely to pass expanded federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, although President George W. Bush will almost certainly veto the bill. The Republican Congress passed similar legislation this summer, but President Bush used the first veto of his administration to kill that bill last September.
‘Black Power', According To Dr. King
In January, many of us make efforts to remember a visionary and his dream. If only briefly, we try to imagine the utopian society Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described instead of facing the lives we actually lead. King spent his life trying to unify a race of people in order to improve the lot of a nation, even as different philosophies increasingly segmented the black community until divergent ideologies split the movement.
[Stiggers] Work It, Miss Wanda
Bonqweesha Jones: "Welcome to 'Lookin' Good in the 'Hood Ghetto Make Over' television show, brought to you by the Hair Did University School of Cosmetology. Tonight my H.D.U. students will transform a plain Crunchie Burga World employee into a well-dressed individual.
Where the 'Southern Strategy' Belongs
You have to watch closely, or you might not pay any mind to earth-shattering statements heard these days in Mississippi. For instance: "Mississippi will not take a back seat to anyone. We've made progress, and we're going to show it to the world."
[Gregory] Killing Me Softly
I have a Polaroid of myself taken sometime in this past year stuck in the edge of a mirror in the living room. One would think I was horribly conceited. This is probably true in some respects, but it isn't the main reason the picture is hanging near the front door. I keep it there because it was taken right before I quit my job of five years, and well, I also look horribly skinny in it. This past year held an assortment of upheaval for me. I went through three jobs in four months. It seemed every month I decided on something new I was going to be when I grew up. I'm surprised I didn't run off to join the circus. I probably would have if carnies didn't scare me and smell faintly of cabbage. Every so often, I look at this picture and think how the girl doing the fake "get-this-camera-out-of-my-face" grin had no idea what the next year held.
[Stiggers] 'I'm Black, and I'm Proud!'
Brotha Hustle: "Welcome to my street-corner tribute to the late, great musician, singer, songwriter and performer Mr. James Brown. Many of you know about his musical achievements and influence.
[Kamikaze] When Politicians Attack
I'm sure by now you've read enough reviews of 2006. You've probably read as many predictions for 2007.
A Voice From The Capitol
2007 should be an interesting year for the Mississippi Legislature. First, for obvious reasons, it is an election year. All of us will be trying to put our best foot forward to push for legislation to show our constituents why they should have us returning to the job of representing them for another four years.
In Hindsight, We Need Oversight
As 2006 comes to a close, it's become achingly clear that Jacksonians are going to need to do something about the way we're governed. The indicators are clear and, oddly enough, they closely mirror what's going on in this country on a national level.
[Braden] Absolutely Perfect 2006
I've decided to send this yankeefied newsletter as proof that we are not an agoraphobic family—we just don't like spending time with folks who don't really want to spend time with us, either. My new husband has informed me that writing everyone a letter outlining everything we've done this year, hobbies we have taken a liking to and other personal information that you probably don't want to know, will suffice in place of any actual familial communication regarding 2006. This socially accepted tradition demonstrates exactly why I don't care for Yankees, and I would like to immediately apologize for offending any aunt with two first names. Yes ma'am; I was raised better than this.
[Stiggers] Broke, Busted, Can't Be Trusted
Rev. Cletus: "This is your Reverend Cletus Car Sales radio broadcast! Remember: If you need to get from point A to B, see one of my deacons at the car lot to receive your blessing—a nice, used car. And for those looking for a ride to Bible study, praise team/choir practice or Sunday worship service, the Double Dutch Church Bus will take you there!
At Least I Know I'm Free
I had a religious experience in Hal & Mal's the other night.
[Greggs] No, Are You OK?
As some of you know, I've been a social worker in this great state for about eight years now. Just don't tell that to the men I date. They'd have a hard time figuring out how I've been working a real job with a master's since I was 15. (Hey, every woman has her secrets.)
[Stiggers] Good Ole Boy Obama
Mr. Announcement: "This episode of 'All God's Churn Got Shoes,' features the directorial debut of 'Little Baby Sista X' and Kunta 'Rahsheed X,' Toby's sister.
[Kamikaze] Standing At The Crossroads
This will probably be one of the most personal columns I've ever written. Hip-hop is at a crossroads.
Jackson, We Still Have A Problem
It's been a tough week or so over at Frank Melton's house. First, we broke the news online on Dec. 4 that the young man he is accused of mentoring into helping destroy a Ridgeway Street duplex was arrested for armed carjacking (link). The last time Michael Taylor—who lived in Melton's home until a few weeks ago, was arrested, in late 2005, he was 16 and accused of robbing a barbershop at gunpoint. Then on Aug. 15, the mayor drew the felony for Taylor because investigators say Melton and his bodyguards told him to use a sledgehammer to destroy private property.
[Lott] Turning Dirt Into Energy
As the holidays quickly approach, the price of gasoline is rising. Americans have come to expect an explanation for energy prices that yo-yo up and down in a volatile, seemingly never-ending cycle. But there's hope. In fact, Mississippians are largely responsible for creating it and for ensuring America achieves our goal of energy independence.