Opinion

The Confederate Problem

I've said it before, and I will say it again and again, as many times as I have to: The Confederate symbol represents bigotry, racism and hatred. This is not an opinion. This is a fact.

Poor is a Choice? Think Again.

Gov. William Winter was correct when he said: "The only road out of poverty runs past the schoolhouse door." This still rings true today; it is no secret that the poorest schools in Mississippi have the lowest graduation rates.

Loving in the Face of Hate

In a recent exchange on social media, a white woman criticized me. I'm assuming she tagged me as a racist because I stated that it is impossible for black people to even be racist against whites.

Only One ‘Side’ in Fight Against White Supremacy

No quest for justice, equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all will "replace" people of any race or ethnicity, although some statues may well end up in a museum for people who want to view, honor or study them.

Welcome to (All of) Jackson

With this being the start of a new school year, a lot of newcomers will be arriving in Jackson, some of whom already have an unfair notion of what they think this area is like and what it has to offer. Like me, they may not land in Jackson proper, but rather than either side shutting the door, I urge you to open it wider.

Sen. McDaniel’s Loyalties

It appears that Mississippi Sen. Chris McDaniel has decided to endorse the view that those deserving of support and by implication, rights, are only "white christian males."

We Must Treat All Addiction, Addicts the Same

If addiction truly is an illness, like so many lawmakers are now saying, it is time to take a look at how we're treating potential addicts serving decades-long sentences behind bars right here within our state lines.

Congress, Preserve the Special Rule for Model Aircraft

These days, drones are everywhere—in the news, on television and in the skies above Mississippi. This summer, especially, many people will be flying recreational unmanned aircraft, often referred to as "drones," for the first time.

Let’s Talk About Violence, Then Take Action

It's a problem when all cops are stereotyped, but it's also wrong that more law enforcement won't speak out publicly like that about bad cops and, too often, will defend violent actions.

Nissan: At the Union Crossroads

Poor ol' Mississippi, so poor it can't even keep its roads paved and bridges repaired, has thus far spent $1.3 billion on taxpayer subsidies to keep Nissan in Canton. Nissan is a $38.4 billion company. Carlos Ghosn earns $10 million a year and has a net worth of $100 million.

Cheers to Bipartisan Common Sense

Both in Congress and on a state level, bipartisanship is critical to ensure that all Americans and Mississippians have access to affordable health care regardless of their ZIP code, income, race or family status.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Don't Be Too Nice'

At a New York event last week meant to bring awareness to MS-13 gang activities and his administration's efforts to eliminate criminal cartels, President Donald Trump encouraged officers to not be too gentle with criminals.

PETA: Lumumba Setting Positive Example

In response to "Dear Pam: Stay in Your Lane" by Laurie Bertram Roberts, I think that by accepting Pamela Anderson's invitation to eat vegan meals, Mayor Lumumba is setting a positive example for Jackson residents and everyone else who wants to eat healthy, help animals and protect the environment.

Editorial Awards Encouraging for Our 15th Anniversary

Real solutions to violent crime start with understanding how we got to where we are—what's systemic about the problem—and what the best practices are for interrupting violence and setting young people on a better path with the full support of responsible and invested adults in their community.

Dear Pam: Stay in Your Lane

If a so-called activist organization doesn't have the analysis to look at how their suggestions play out for people across income, race, disability and regional lines, then I suggest they should not challenge any city leaders to anything until they do.

Learning from Henley-Young’s Progress

Years after litigation and cutting way down on the number of kids behind bars, Jackson faces an interesting crossroads: Our juvenile-justice center might be the leader for rehabilitative treatment for youth in the city.

Being Brave

We are scared of something, and one day we realize that if we want it enough, we will be brave and endure the pain for it. And then something even more magical happens: Every situation after that requires us to be "brave" gets easier and easier.

Grow Roots, Wings Where You’re Planted

Once upon a time, I was one of the young people who wanted to get out of this place. In early high school, I imagined that after college, I would travel everywhere, living somewhere for two years at a time. I would go to England and France and Japan and see more of the U.S. than I had before.

Tilling Dreams into Reality

The value of creating something worthwhile from start to finish seems to have lost its steam. People want to go from idea to being rich, skipping the work in the middle.

Patching Potholes: A Metaphor for Jackson

Running a city for a four-year (or sometimes shorter) term is an admittedly daunting task, with the transfer of political strategies, staff and power.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Will Vote'

The odds of the Senate voting on health-care legislation are slim at this point.

‘Great for Grove Park’

A couple of weeks ago, I watched in amazement during an acrimonious Jackson City Council debate regarding a proposed partnership with the Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity & Urban League that would allow a community landmark to remain open.

The Future of the JFP Chick Ball

First, I'll share the sad news in case you haven't heard. We have reluctantly decided to postpone the JFP Chick Ball again this year, as we did in 2016, and it's for essentially the same reason: If we can't do it well, we're not going to do it.

Address Racial Inequity in Education Now

Education was supposed to be the great "equalizer" back when police officers had to escort a few brave black children past screaming white children and adults to integrate white public schools operating on a "separate but equal" theory.

A Plea to My Fellow Evangelicals: Call Out Trump

After several days of prayerful consideration, I realized that the potential positives of the Trump administration do not justify the many other actions that go against the teachings I hold dear and that God admonishes me to promote.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'I Love It'

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out his email chain with Rob Goldstone on July 11, which appears to confirm that Russian officials offered to pass on incriminating information about Hillary Clinton to the Trump campaign, and Trump Jr. agreed to a meeting about it.

Ellington