Opinion

From Affleck to Baltimore: Sh*t Our Ancestors Did

Forget a "sagging feeling"—it's a gut-punch to discover you descend from a slave owner or plantation overseer, especially when your relatives have laughed off such a notion your whole life, always adding, "Our family was too poor to own slaves." Right.

Drafted by Mississippi

In July 1992, I was born at Baptist Memorial in Southaven, Miss. From the moment I took my first breath at 8:41 a.m. to the present, I have been a Mississippian. Not by choice, but by birth.

Tax Commish Owes City Deference, Mayor Owes it to Council

After the Legislature passed a bill in 2009 empowering Jackson to hold a referendum on whether to impose a 1-percent sales tax on certain goods, then-Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. was always reluctant to move forward, fearing that a 10-member oversight commission the legislation called for was a threat to the city's independence.

Freddie Gray Death Highlights Lead Poisoning Crisis

Lead absorption at any rate can cause harm to a child. Lead exposure can affect IQ, focus, memory and academic achievement.

Trouble in Mississippi

Look at Mississippi under Republican grass-eater rule in both the governor's mansion and state Legislature. A lopsided tax system that favors corporations and the rich has contributed to one of the biggest income gaps between the rich and poor of any state in the country.

My Generation Doesn’t Give Up Easily

All jokes aside, millennials arguably have it harder than any generation before us.

The Cost of Living in the Ghetto

Miss Doodle Mae: "Jojo surprised the staff today. During the monthly staff-appreciation morning meeting, he announced that all part-time and full-time staff of Jojo's Discount Dollar Store would receive a 'Cost of Living in the Ghetto' raise and a very affordable health-care plan."

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Salt-and-Pepper'

We can't remember too many times Barbour so loudly told fellow Republicans to embrace diversity with in its ranks, and he helped birth the divisive "southern (race) strategy" of targeting fearful white voters.

School Funding Trickery Hurts Future Generations

Believe it or not, the Mississippi Legislature's refusal to adequately fund public schools and its attempt to derail a proposed constitutional amendment to require such funding isn't about differing philosophies about how to fix the state's educational system.

What I Don’t Need from Men

What exactly is a "consciously awake woman," and why exactly do you want to be one? The writer, Kelly Marceau, says the key to being consciously awake is self-awareness.

Punishing Children for the Sins of their Legislators

Our children have been set up to fail, based largely on lack of funding, a stalwart position of the Bryant administration.

Jackson, Suburbs Must Bridge Mistrust, Reach Smart Compromise

Not even officials with the West Rankin Utility Authority, which is made up of cities along the eastern side of Pearl River, disagree that building a new wastewater treatment plant will lead to higher sewer bills for their customers.

One Drop at a Time

Every day, I hear people calling one another out. Liberals call out conservatives, and the reverse is also true. It’s a game of gotcha, where one side tries to shame the other in the hope of winning in the court of public opinion.

Stop Taxing Schools With Underfunding

Because JPS's budget comes from City of Jackson millage rates, local property taxpayers are ultimately on the hook if the district needs to increase its budget request due to insufficient funding.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'One'

In a rare show of unity between Reeves and Gov. Phil Bryant, the GOP leadership teamed up to criticize the move by Kidd, to whom they repeatedly referred as a Hinds County judge.

Shot in the Back

Mr. Announcer: "In the ghetto criminal-justice system, the people are represented by members of the newly established Ghetto Science Community Peace Keeping Unit."

Woman, Be Free

pain doesn't stop hurting because you stop thinking about it. It will not go away because you've retreated into yourself. Pain is only released through freedom.

Creating Better People

It's hard to watch a grown man cry. It's even harder to see a distinguished judge break down in front of an audience decades after a white teacher lied about his actions and got him more than 20 hard licks from his principal.

Crossroads = Creativity

I and other writers, including Genevieve Legacy, Richard Coupe, Ronni Mott and R.L. Nave contributed to this cover package, reviewing films that cover everything from Depression-era Mississippi, to a wandering rabbi, to the Motor Vessel Mary Parker.

Mississippi Needs to Embrace Voting Reforms

Mississippi ought to send a positive message to the country and embrace voting reforms that make our state better.

You Are Welcome Here

My job at HRC Mississippi is to work with others to create a state where everyone is welcome. Or to put it this way, that the "hospitality state" truly embodies its nickname.

State’s Film Incentives Should Focus on Local Workforce

There is no doubt that the state's film incentives have revolutionized the movie industry in Mississippi.

It’s Time to Question Vaccinations

Immunization is one of the greatest public-health achievements in the 20th century, but as with all medications, vaccines can harm. We should be asking why some children experience severe reactions, while most in society do not.

An Open Letter to Our Teachers

I don't doubt for a second that there are bad teachers who just show up to collect a paycheck, but I can't recall ever having a teacher who I didn't believe cared deeply for all their students.

Of ‘Scandal,’ ‘Empire’ and Hot Chicken Wings

Big Roscoe: "Little Momma Roscoe conducted a Clubb Chicken Wing customer survey during last week's Hot Wing Happy Hour. Our customers, who are fans of television shows like 'Empire,' suggested that Clubb Chicken Wing have a weekly big flat-screen television viewing party and Hot Wing Happy Hour.

Ellington