Opinion

State Should End Costly, Embarrassing Legal Challenges

Last week, the state—via the Democratic-led Mississippi attorney general's office—again stood on the wrong side of a federal judge in an individual-rights case.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Critical'

Even the University of Mississippi, which has often had to be dragged kicking and screaming into modern times, is on the right side of this issue.

Protect Our Queens and Princesses

More than 8,000 people have commented on the video of the South Carolina man speaking passionately about the incident at Spring Valley High School, where a young, black girl was tossed around like a rag doll by what I would label an overzealous law enforcement officer.

Born into the Wrong Demographic

Failing to pass Initiative 42 punished Mississippi's children simply because they were born into the wrong demographic.

The Next 12 Months Are Critical for Jackson

One election is behind us, but several others are on the horizon.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Important'

On Monday, Nov. 2, Delbert Hosemann told the Associated Press that he predicted a light turnout in the Nov. 3 elections despite his role as the secretary of state.

You Know the Routine

Rev. Cletus: "This is your car-sales pastor broadcasting live from WGSR, Ghetto Science Radio, your friend at the end of the FM dial."

Don’t Act Normal

I'd rather be "not normal" than stick with the status quo. I'd rather judge people based on the quality of their character, not by the way they look.

Tav Falco’s Evanescent South

Tav Falco, enfant terrible of the 1980s, walked onto the stage at Lafayette's Music Room here, dressed in black, his hair a Nuevo-'50s coif, picked up his guitar and let loose.

Great Leadership Isn’t Enough

It's not just that power corrupts. It's that, in a very real way, power dilutes.

Find an Issue Worth Your Vote

Being registered to vote is meaningless unless you wield your power as a citizen and actually head to a polling place.

Be True to Initiative 42’s Calls for Accountability

After reading more than a dozen opinion articles from numerous outlets, one thing is clear: Initiative 42 does not simply fall under a catchall category.

Oppression and the Power of Elections

University of Mississippi's decision to lower the state flag shows that there is power in symbols and a tremendous amount of power in people coming together to demand that symbols change.

Planned Parenthood Saved My Life

As Congress debates whether or not Planned Parenthood should continue receiving funding for providing health care to women, do me a favor and think of that young woman who may be able to live a healthy life because the organization was there in her hour of need.

Jails and Prisons Also Need Adequate Funding

Although the state of Mississippi's criminal-justice system always seems to be in the news, lately there's been a flurry of bad press for the state's jails and prison system.

The 42 Vote: Mississippi’s Time of Reckoning

When Mississippi Rep. Lester "Bubba" Carpenter stepped to the microphone at a Republican rally in Tishomingo County and started warning about a "black judge" taking away funds from white schools and giving it to blacker ones, it was deja vu all over again.

Backroom Anti-42 Politics Counterproductive for Employers

Improving education in Mississippi should be the priority of manufacturers and bankers and insurance agents and realtors and restaurateurs.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Legacy'

If Thad Cochran is truly a student of Evers' contributions, he should also understand that Medgar, like his widow, Myrlie, would not have tolerated Mississippi's offensive state flag.

Buenos Días, My Fellow Hustlers

Brother Hustle: "Welcome to another Compensatory Investment Request Support Group meeting. I invited a very special guest to attend our meeting and provide inspiring words to new and senior group members.

Pause for Applause

A signature sound is more a product of its surroundings than the artists that fill them, and whether we like to admit that or not, an audience's reaction has an extraordinary impact on those surroundings.

Remembering the Ladies, Black and White

"Wherever there is a racial issue, there's a gender issue," said Anita Hill, keynote speaker at the Mississippi Women's Economic Security Policy Summit, held Oct. 10.

Do the Anti-42 Politicians Feel No Shame?

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder why Mississippi's Republican Leadership seems to hate democracy so much?

Kids Who Die in the Swamps

The notion of being seen and not heard has put our young people in a position that leaves them far behind, swimming beneath deep waves meant to contain, not to love.

The State Had Better Recognize Jackson’s Might

After months of brinksmanship, the City of Jackson and Mississippi State Fair Commission finally came to an agreement this week over security at the state fair, which begins today, Oct. 7.

Under Siege in America

Sadly, I feel physically safer in France, with its baguette-eating, cigarette-smoking, non-church-going, slightly rude and less social population than with gun-toting, Bible-thumping Americans.

State’s GOP Lawmakers Must Stop Pitting Poor Kids Against Sick People

Mississippi Republican leadership will stop at very little to try to scare voters into allowing them to continue violating state law and underfunding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, even if it means using the sick poor of the state as a pawn in the game.

Ellington