Opinion

Change in 2017: Crawling, Then Walking

God willing, 2017 is a year of change for me and hopefully for others, too. As we move forward in the new year with whatever changes we make, we should keeping this idea in mind: There's only so much of life that we can control.

A Cold War Mentality

Back in the summer of 1992, just months after the failed coup that led to the fall of communism and Boris Yeltsin's rise to leadership in a new post-Soviet Russia, I traveled with my late wife, Marilyn, to Moscow and met Roman Fiodorov.

Start Running Government Like a Business

Whether from Donald Trump or the GOP supermajority in the Mississippi Legislature, we hear constantly that Republicans want to "run government like a business." The problem is that many of them don't appear to know how legitimate, forward-looking, smart businesses actually work.

Seeds of Destiny

One of the most influential mentors in my early years was Arla Little, the artistic director of the Black Repertory Dance Troupe in Berkeley, Calif.

The Dark Side of the Hinds Justice System

It will be a tough slog, but we need confidence and accountability in the Hinds criminal-justice system again.

Time to Do Away with the Electoral College

Several protesters stood in a line outside the Mississippi Capitol on Dec. 16 chanting "Brief the electors; send it to the House!" They were primarily protesting the Electoral College, the increasingly problematic way in which the United States has elected its president since it was adopted in 1787.

Christmas 1971, Christmas 2016

I huddled in the doorway trying, without much success to get some relief from the blowing snow and the cold. The bowling alley had closed many hours before, and it was a lonely and dark place now.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I try to live by two mottos: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I think both of those are important in this season, especially with the state of the world.

In the Spirit of the Holidays

The holiday season should be merry for everyone. The fact is, though, not everyone is feeling merry and bright. So be in the holiday spirit and keep your heart open to those who might be missing someone, overworked, stressed out, far away from their families, losing their jobs, etc.

Russia Hackers Pale Beside Domestic Voter Suppression

Scary as this may sound, foreign Russian influence doesn't hold a candle to home-cooked voter suppression.

Data Needed to Change Young People’s Lives

In order to solve a problem, you have to understand it fully. Just ask the state of Georgia, which used data to discover that detention wasn't working for its young people.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Ridiculous'

Donald Trump's refusal to be concerned about the potential of a foreign power trying to influence U.S. elections is stunning.

‘What Are Your Plans for Me, Mr. Trump?’

Big Roscoe: "Little Mama Roscoe and I have big plans to celebrate the remaining days of 2016 at Clubb Chicken Wing. Despite the numerous and unfortunate executions of poor people, law enforcement, former NFL football players, etc., the hard-working Clubb Chicken Wing staff will continue to serve its loyal customers with a special holiday event called 'The Eight Days of Christmas Hot Wing Happy Hour for World Peace and Sanity.'

All Must Take Responsibility for Preventing Crime

Much research shows that hopelessness prolongs problems, including crime, because people don't do what each of them could to alleviate the conditions that lead to misbehavior.

For Mississippi to Progress, Health Care Has to Become Issue No. 1

"I say to Congressman Harper that this demonization of the Affordable Care Act, which is an American law, helps no one. In fact, it hurts us all."

From Patriots to Panthers, a New ‘Rainbow Coalition’

Imagine what would happen if someone wore a Confederate flag button with clasped black and white hands to a Trump or Black Lives Matter rally. Given what we have seen on the media, the person would likely be met with indignation, insults and perhaps physical violence.

Recognizing Racial Injustice in Incarceration

Criminal-justice reforms are not only necessary for cost savings to the state but also a necessity to work toward a more equitable justice system.

The EpiPen Shock

Recently, news media outlets criticized pharmaceutical company Mylan for the price increase of the brand drug EpiPen. Within the timespan of only a couple of months, the price went up to $600 for a pack, while a vial of the active drug epinephrine costs less than $1.

Think Global, Art Local

December is always an interesting month at the Jackson Free Press. Right after Thanksgiving, we promote local shopping with our Small Business Saturday focus and our local gift guides throughout the month of December; it's also right now that the Best of Jackson finalists ballot is live for readers to give their opinion on the best local, unique people and places that Metro Jackson has to offer.

Why Hillary Clinton Lost

Neal Gabler and many of the anti-Trump post-election protesters are wrong when they issue a blanket indictment of all Trump voters, millions of whom voted out of an economic desperation that Clintonite neoliberals ignored for too long. Those voters are not bigots.

Public Streets Must Be Open to All Residents

Crime will not go away if we build gates or walls. It will only fester on the other side until we all start doing our part to actually prevent it.

My, My Mississippi

Mississippi is the soil of my soul. My childhood in Waynesboro gave me the foundation to grow into a decades-long career songwriter, producer, and collaborator with artists like Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole and Aretha Franklin. I wouldn't be the artist I am today without the great Magnolia State.

I’m a Patriot, Not a ‘Libtard’

A Republican friend from Mississippi State, whom I haven't seen in decades, wrote on my Facebook page recently that he reads my work, and he actually finds me quite conservative in some ways. He hoped that characterization didn't offend me. It didn't.

Election Over, But the Fight Continues

There's a rumbling in the auditorium. All eyes are focused on the stage, on the latest peddler of promise, the pied Piper of propaganda. Then a white guy sucker-punches a black guy, and a brawl ensues.

Keep Fighting for Transparency in Mississippi

While the fight for the Legislature's contract with nonprofit EdBuild dominated headlines this past week, it is important to not get lost in the weeds.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Big Deal"

Trump's international business ventures launch U.S. politics into uncharted ethical waters, whether he likes to admit it or not.

‘Surviving a Severe Political Butt Whooping’

"Jojo's Discount Dollar Store will host a series of weekly 'New Era Transition Holiday Sales Events.' Look out for weekly events in isle 7-and-2/5, starting with the 'Post Election Meltdown Mental Health Therapy Summit,' which psychologist Judy McBride is hosting. All President-elect Trump supporters are invited to attend."

Ellington