Don’t Politicize Special-Needs Education
Recent legislative deliberations, which come in the context of a larger debate over Mississippi's education crisis, have a whiff of election-year pandering in the same way politicians try to churn fears about terrorism with soccer moms in presidential election years.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Chained'
No, we don't keep women chained to stoves down here in Mississippi—but we do plenty else that's harmful.
Like A Tree Without Roots
Miss Doodle Mae: "Jojo's Discount Dollar Store is ready to educate the Ghetto Science Community during Black History Month with the 'From Here to Timbuktu Sale.'
Why I Fight for Education Funding
Only about 30 percent of student achievement comes from in-school factors such as teachers, principals and class size; almost 70 percent comes from outside factors such as poverty, parents and access to resources.
Superheroes in Jackson?
I always want to imagine what it would be like if Jackson had superheroes. It's got the right atmosphere for a comic book world—varied types of architecture, slums, an overwhelming sense of hope in the air (yes, I believe in that).
A Union Presence
Even the unofficial presence of a union and its supporters help workers long before an election is held and can force a company to act right.
Dads Are Great, But Don’t Ignore Moms
Most problematic—and indeed dangerous—is the underlying implication that the mere presence of adult testosterone is some kind of magic wand that can solve all problems.
On Life and Crime in South Jackson
I don't like the term "black-on-black crime." Crime is crime, and it happens in all communities, some more than others. The difference is in how we organize as a community to deal with it.
Every Single Life Matters
We're living through one of those difficult times in Jackson when fear and distrust of "the other" reach a fevered pitch due to a high-profile crime.
The Best Jackson Has to Offer
Jackson has no shortage of cool people, places and things to do. The stiff competition during Best of Jackson makes that clear. The creativity, enthusiasm and hospitality of our city and her people continue to make it an inspired place to live.
Keep Lifting Up the Dialogue in Jackson
In the last week or so, Jackson Free Press editors have been participating in encouraging conversations on social media and the Nextdoor neighborhood sites, and in the office, about preventing crime in the city.
Awesome Quote of the Week: 'Opportunity'
Surprise, sur-freaking-prise that Jeff Good, one of the city's most unwavering cheerleaders and all-around nicest dudes, would have the line that best captures the spirit of the Best of Jackson.
Hustlin’ to be the Best
Brother Hustle: "Welcome to the first meeting of the 2015 Compensatory Investment Request Support Group."
Acknowledging Our ‘Best’ Once Again
You hold in your hands (or you're viewing online) the culmination of many months' worth of planning and effort—the 2015 Best of Jackson issue.
We Must Finish King’s Work
Unfortunately, many have reduced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to a mere dreamer and tried to remove the work he was doing at the end of his life from all mainstream discussions about his life.
City Needs A Stronger Customer-Relations Framework
After eight months in office, Mayor Tony Yarber points to his office's listening tours, which travel around the city and give citizens an opportunity to air their grievances, as one of the top accomplishments of his first term as mayor.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Change'
The way Snowden and the Republican leadership are trying to ram the alternative amendment through, it's clear that they're opposed to adequate school funding, no matter what the constitution says or the people want.
Another Do-Nothing Legislature?
For the past four years, I have read almost every bill presented to the House and Senate, and most of them are complete and utter nonsense.
More to Lose If I Don’t
On the no-frills DASH diet, I have given up nothing that matters to me; cutting back sodium has been the hardest, because it's in so much more than just the saltshaker.
Jesus, the Migrant
In her new book "Jesus Was A Migrant," writer Deirdre Cornell says migration is central to "biblical spirituality" and the chosen people themselves were "displaced, uprooted, homeless" migrants.
Don’t Waste Your Mind
Boneqweesha Jones: "I recall a time when I brought in the new year uninspired, hopeless and alone watching a New Year program. New Year's Day was just another day for me. At 12:05 a.m., a one-minute public-service announcement from the United Ghetto Science Community Post-Secondary Training College Fund changed my perspective."
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Winning'
The logical assumption is that Gov. Bryant hasn't spent a lot of time around people in poverty considering that he and his fellow Republicans can only seem to come up with solutions to caricatures of poverty rather than the real roots of the problems.
Lawmakers: Don’t Waste Time on Gay-Marriage Ban
Though it's not clear what the Legislature can do to ensure that same-sex marriage will remain banned in the state, lawmakers will probably try to this session—if for no other reason than to get political points from anti-LGBT voters.
Are Mississippi Officials Deadbeats?
The situation in Mississippi may be dire, but it's not hopeless. There are opportunities to drastically—not incrementally—improve things in Mississippi, but our leadership seems fixated on solutions looking for problems.
I Am Not My Father
My father was very intent on ensuring that we knew who we were and where we came from. He wanted us to be aware of this world and its prejudices that were sure to come as we grew older.
Resolve to Have Clean 2015 Elections
2014 raised awareness about the way elections have been run in this state since time immemorial and the need for that to change.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Racist'
It's clear that it's Idris Elba's skin tone that is giving Rush Limbaugh the hives. Go figure.
Kuumba and Imani to You
My family and I have been celebrating Kwanzaa for 11 years as of this year. In 2003, I decided my family was going to have our first Kwanzaa after researching the cultural celebration for two years.
A Fresh Start
John Lennon once said, "Life happens when you're busy making other plans." That's always been one of my favorite quotes, but never one that seemed to apply to me.
City: Don’t Let Uber Run Over Jackson
In a place where the mere presence of a national albeit uninspiring brand like Walmart can be a source of civic pride, it's easy to understand the excitement over the Jackson launch of the app-based ride-sharing service Uber.