[Kamikaze] Healing Starts at Home
So, #STOPKONY is a new trending topic in social media. If you're not familiar, the "Stop Kony" movement refers to Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. Kony lived in relative anonymity before last week when a video from activist group Invisible Children went viral.
[Head] Men: Hold Creeps Accountable
I think we men, myself included, have not done enough to confront other men. We have let too much slide.
[Editor's Note] A Romney Runs Through Us
Campaigning in Mississippi last week, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney set off a mini-firestorm in our offices. Sometime between joking about grits and forking up some hay, down-south style, Romney uttered words that made us nearly sputter in response: "If the federal government were run more like here in Mississippi, the whole country would be a lot better off." Say what, Gov. Romney?!
A Romney Runs Through Us
Campaigning in Mississippi last week, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney set off a mini-firestorm in our offices. Sometime between joking about grits and forking up some hay, down-south style, Romney uttered words that made us nearly sputter in response: "If the federal government were run more like here in Mississippi, the whole country would be a lot better off." Say what, Gov. Romney?!
A Woman's Power
Last week, I was part of a panel that explored the question of why more women don't run for public office, sponsored by She Should Run. The Washington, D.C.-based organization is at the vanguard of researching the current landscape (women hold only 17 percent of congressional seats, for example) and dispelling the myths of women taking leadership positions.
Stop the City Council Game-Playing
Here we go again. When the Jackson Free Press started 10 years ago, the City Council members from Ward 1 (Ben Allen) and Ward 3 (Kenneth Stokes) were constantly at each other's throats. It wasn't an intellectual disagreement with occasional laughs; they made the city look like a laughing stock with their constant insults of each other.
[Editorial] Stop the City Council Game-Playing
Here we go again. When the Jackson Free Press started 10 years ago, the City Council members from Ward 1 (Ben Allen) and Ward 3 (Kenneth Stokes) were constantly at each other's throats. It wasn't an intellectual disagreement with occasional laughs; they made the city look like a laughing stock with their constant insults of each other.
[Your Turn] Movement for Education
The link from education to the economy, health and crime is easy to see, and Blueprint Mississippi 2011 makes this compelling case with fresh data. As a teacher at one of Jackson's public high schools, I work mostly with low-income students, and I believe education is the best way to intercept the cycle of poverty. Yet even innovative policy solutions will only make incremental change without the grassroots support of the communities they seek to serve.
Movement for Education
The link from education to the economy, health and crime is easy to see, and Blueprint Mississippi 2011 makes this compelling case with fresh data. As a teacher at one of Jackson's public high schools, I work mostly with low-income students, and I believe education is the best way to intercept the cycle of poverty. Yet even innovative policy solutions will only make incremental change without the grassroots support of the communities they seek to serve.
[Your Turn] Bring Net Metering to Mississippi
Mississippi is on the verge of being the last state in the union to adopt a net-metering policy. I have tried for about two years to bring the topic of net metering to the attention and action of our state legislators. Others in our state have been trying longer than I have.
Bring Net Metering to Mississippi
Mississippi is on the verge of being the last state in the union to adopt a net-metering policy. I have tried for about two years to bring the topic of net metering to the attention and action of our state legislators. Others in our state have been trying longer than I have.
[McGowan] The Attack on Republicanism
Recently, a radical minority of Republicans has brought our entire concept of government under fire.
[Publisher's Note] The Ledger's Obsession with ‘Exclusive'
Something interesting came to the attention of our advertising sales department during the production of this edition of the Spring Arts and Events Preview. It seems that The Clarion-Ledger is now telling some arts organizations that if they would like The Clarion-Ledger (or, presumably, their subsidiary publications, such as VIP Jackson) to sponsor a non-profit or charity event, then The Clarion-Ledger must be the "exclusive print sponsor" of that event.
The Ledger's Obsession with ‘Exclusive'
Something interesting came to the attention of our advertising sales department during the production of this edition of the Spring Arts and Events Preview. It seems that The Clarion-Ledger is now telling some arts organizations that if they would like The Clarion-Ledger (or, presumably, their subsidiary publications, such as VIP Jackson) to sponsor a non-profit or charity event, then The Clarion-Ledger must be the "exclusive print sponsor" of that event.
[Editorial] Teach Kids About Safe Sex
Adecision by a Department of Education task force earlier this week confirmed what some of us have suspected for some time: Schools in Mississippi really don't have any legal way to teach comprehensive sex-education. A recent law gives school districts a choice between abstinence-only and "abstinence-plus" sex education in theory; in reality, they're just different names for the same policy.
Teach Kids About Safe Sex
Adecision by a Department of Education task force earlier this week confirmed what some of us have suspected for some time: Schools in Mississippi really don't have any legal way to teach comprehensive sex-education. A recent law gives school districts a choice between abstinence-only and "abstinence-plus" sex education in theory; in reality, they're just different names for the same policy.
[Stiggers] Drink Your Big Black Cow
Mr. Announcement: "Ghetto Science Public Television presents highlights from Kunta 'Rasheed X' Toby's thought-provoking documentary film series 'The Pursuit of Crappyness: The Unemployed, Underemployed and Part-time Djs are Close to the Edge.'"
[Kamikaze] Behind the Curtain
It appears the culture wars of 2008 have returned for a sequel in 2012. You can attribute some of it to the Republican presidential candidates. Sure, gas prices are rising, and there's growing unrest on foreign soil, but why bother with those issues when it's so much more important to legislate morality?
[Purvis] The Art of Appreciation
I love gazing at art, but know only enough about it to embarrass myself if I try to discuss it in more informed company.
[Editor's Note] Living in Hell
I just finished reading a chilling historical novel, "The Healing," which resoundingly answered an oft-debated question: "What was the Civil War really about?"
Living in Hell
I just finished reading a chilling historical novel, "The Healing," which resoundingly answered an oft-debated question: "What was the Civil War really about?"
Stop Obstructing and Get to Work
Republicans in the Mississippi Legislature seem to be dealing with a lot of pent-up demand. Every day, we hear of another piece of legislation that is a virtual rehash of a bill that could not be passed without a Republican majority in both houses of the Legislature.
Stop Obstructing and Get to Work
Republicans in the Mississippi Legislature seem to be dealing with a lot of pent-up demand. Every day, we hear of another piece of legislation that is a virtual rehash of a bill that could not be passed without a Republican majority in both houses of the Legislature.
[Your Turn] Save the Libraries
Brandon Jones, Executive Director, Mississippi Democratic Trust
In his FY 2013 Budget Recommendation, Gov. Phil Bryant stated that libraries are not an "appropriate government function" and are a "non-core area." Consistent with these beliefs, the Republican budget calls for a 15 percent cut to Mississippi's public libraries.
Save the Libraries
Brandon Jones, Executive Director, Mississippi Democratic Trust
In his FY 2013 Budget Recommendation, Gov. Phil Bryant stated that libraries are not an "appropriate government function" and are a "non-core area." Consistent with these beliefs, the Republican budget calls for a 15 percent cut to Mississippi's public libraries.
[Your Turn] Fix the System
The recent flap over Haley Barbour's 200 pardons and commutations has highlighted problems in our current gubernatorial clemency processes. At my request, the staff of the legislative Performance and Expenditure Review Committee reviewed the files of those who were pardoned.
Fix the System
The recent flap over Haley Barbour's 200 pardons and commutations has highlighted problems in our current gubernatorial clemency processes. At my request, the staff of the legislative Performance and Expenditure Review Committee reviewed the files of those who were pardoned.
[Queen] If I Were A Man
We are just as capable and ready for battle as any man—whatever that battle is.
Evolve My Mind
I have always measured the quality of my education against what my father taught me. School bored me mostly, but having a conversation with Papa rarely did. He was a natural teacher of philosophy, political science and history. He peppered his lectures with anthropology, science and economics.
Time to Swim, not Sink, Together
With evidence everywhere that good public education is key to our city and our state's economic future, not to mention public safety, it is time that to slay the dinosaurs of the past who don't want to fund or reform education in a way that makes sense for the most children.