The Amazing Toughness of Kids
All kids need is love and attention, and they'll grow into amazing people; just look at the roster of our Amazing Teens, which includes National Honor Society members, community volunteers, inventors, athletes and class presidents from all over the Jackson metro.
The 'Obama Effect' and the Jackson Mayoral Race
As local news stations and media outlets continually display nefarious activities committed by young African American men, it’s refreshing to witness young African American men being featured for reasons other than criminal wrongdoing.
‘Old South’: More Discussion Needed
In 2014, it's sometimes difficult to believe that individuals still exist who do not see the offensiveness of the Confederate flag and celebrating the "Old South" culture.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Qualify'
While it's not fair to lay all the blame at Sheriff Lewis' feet, it's his jail now, and he has to answer for any mistakes that happen out there.
In Love of Humanity
Change, like time, has no care for how you feel or if you are ready for it. It shows up when it wants and makes itself known. We must choose what we will do with the changes we are handed.
As Shepard Lay Dying
Local theater man John Maxwell could not have known when he decided to stage "The Laramie Project" in downtown Jackson at Galloway Methodist Church just how impeccable his timing would turn out to be.
Kappa Alpha Order and the Old South
To be fair, I never saw any Confederate uniforms or flags in any of the pictures I saw on social media. But the antebellum suits and dresses remind me of a period of time in which African Americans, particularly on southern plantations, were treated in grotesquely inhumane ways.
The Police State That Was Mississippi
One out of every four adult Americans now has a police record. Louisiana and Mississippi lead the nation in putting people behind bars.
Bypass the Legislature on MAEP, Medicaid LGBT Rights
In the past six years alone, under a Republican-led Senate and, until 2012, a Democratic-led House of Representatives, MAEP has been shorted by more than $1 billion.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Proud'
If Gov. Bryant was so proud of his signing the bill, he would have held a public signing ceremony and invited the news media. But instead of creating a space where reporters could have asked questions about the effects of the bill, Bryant opted for a private signing ceremony, surrounded by far-right religious leaders.
Singin’ the Inner-City Blues
"What is happening to inner-city people these days? I always believed that folk living in urban communities were strong enough to endure and overcome oppression. Now, It looks like the 'inner city blues' has become a behavioral, social and mental epidemic."
Big, Bad Chef of the Week
We must believe in our own power—to change hateful laws and to vote out every single person who tries to keep us mired in a Jim Crow-type world. Stand up, Mississippi. We are better than this. Let's prove it.
SB2681: A Sinister and Heinous Attempt to Unseparate Church and State
On its surface, Religious Freedom Restoration Act appears to harmlessly promote an individual's religious right. But similar to an iceberg, the body of the bill is latent through a form of legislative rhetoric.
Do It for Jackson
We have to stop giving ground and begin to stand firm on our belief that Jackson will win.
Stop the Death Penalty Now, Mississippi
If you were unsure last week whether Mississippi should immediately declare a moratorium on the death penalty, then now it's hard to deny the evidence.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Gaycation'
How can WLOX-TV anchor suggest that the LGBT community take a "gaycation" when Mississippi has yet to recognize the human rights of all of its citizens?
We Don’t Need Another Hero, Jackson
As we are faced with the challenge of moving forward after the loss of Mayor Lumumba, I recognize the appeal of being told there is someone who can save us. Yet the truth is, Jackson, we don't need another hero.
As SB2681 Passes, A Gay Mississippi Businessman Talks Back to the Far Right
"I don't have to look back very far in my lived experience to recall a time when I was afraid to live openly. I once thought the very best I could hope for was to get a job, fall in love, and keep that part of my life hidden from family and clients."
I Don’t Feel Welcome in Mississippi
Having lived in Mississippi my whole life, a lot of things have been not cool. Add being gay to that, and you have the formula for a whole bunch of uncoolness.
Show Us the Campaign Money—On Time
On Tuesday, April 1, candidates seeking the office of Jackson mayor are required to submit their campaign-finance reports.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Holy Ghost Handshakes'
How can the public know be sure that Yarber won't award contracts and conduct other city business on the strength of the Holy Ghost handshake?
What It's Come To
Miss Doodle Mae: "Jojo, our fearless leader, is an avid seeker of knowledge and understanding. His desire is to use helpful information to better serve his customers, staff and community."
Protect the Innocent: End the Death Penalty
Michelle Byrom is a textbook case of what is wrong with the state executions in Mississippi and the rest of the nation.
Diaz: Michelle Byrom Did Not Get a Fair Trial
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver E. Diaz jr. explains why Michelle Byrom did not get a fair trial and does not deserve to be executed. And he wants to abolish the death penalty.
Hobby Lobby Wages War on Birth Control
The Green family is headed to Washington, D.C., for its day in court—the U.S. Supreme Court.
Stop the Execution of Michelle Byrom
Michelle Byrom is clearly not guilty of the crime for which the state plans to execute her next week.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Worship'
The U.S. Constitution indeed protects the right to practice the religion of one's choosing. It does not, however, allow individuals or businesses to discriminate in the execution of that right.
Women: Be Bold and Strive
Over the last few years, women leaders have taken our city by storm. It's refreshing to be involved in a movement chock full of community service organizers, entrepreneurs, elected officials, attorneys, filmmakers.
Proud to Be the Boss
As a woman who became my own boss in no small part due to the sexism I encountered while working for other people, I know what lies ahead for many of them as they try to become leaders in their fields, if they even choose to.
