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.
[Stiggers] Gainful Employment
My purpose is to celebrate and make history by encouraging the workers who remain jobless in 2012. I will not condescend or criticize people who feel betrayed by the government, politicians, corporations, etc. Instead, I will use the stories of people like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells Barnett, and Ella Baker to motivate the despondent and defeated masses still looking for a job with health-care benefits.
[Kamikaze] Year of the Underdog
I'm drawn to stories of the underdog—the little guy or gal triumphant against seemingly insurmountable odds.
[Johnson] Right the First Time
Charter schools have the potential to be a boon for children in our state's education system.
[Editor's Note] Aloha, Jackson
When we boarded our plane in Dallas bound to Honolulu in January, I'd had only had two hours' sleep. Inevitably, I tossed and turned in anticipation of getting up at 4 a.m.--and then traveling for more than 12 hours. So when I saw the large man I would have to share my other armrest with, I grimaced.
Aloha, Jackson
When we boarded our plane in Dallas bound to Honolulu in January, I'd had only had two hours' sleep. Inevitably, I tossed and turned in anticipation of getting up at 4 a.m.--and then traveling for more than 12 hours. So when I saw the large man I would have to share my other armrest with, I grimaced.
Stop the Injustice of ‘Justice'
Nothing brings the inequality and foibles of our justice system into stark relief like an upcoming execution. As lawyers battle over last-minute efforts to save a human life, it's impossible not to weigh one man's sentence of death against others who receive lesser sentences—or even pardons—for equivalent crimes.
Stop the Injustice of ‘Justice'
Nothing brings the inequality and foibles of our justice system into stark relief like an upcoming execution. As lawyers battle over last-minute efforts to save a human life, it's impossible not to weigh one man's sentence of death against others who receive lesser sentences—or even pardons—for equivalent crimes.
[Stiggers] In Return for a Dollar
Welcome, fellow hustlers, to the first Compensatory Investment Request Support Group Meeting of 2012. I look forward to a great year for our group. The purpose of the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group is to provide a forum for new and established street entrepreneurs.
[Outlaw] A More Perfect Union
Change will come—even in the state that seems slowest to change.
Choosing The Light
In my line of work, people like to talk trash about you. And there's really something about a woman speaking her mind that just hacks off a lot of men, and some women. And Lord help me if I dare tell them they can't do the nasty all over the Jackson Free Press website (inevitably using a cowardly fake name). They go off and start websites, and blogs, and Facebook pages to mete out their revenge. We're used to it by now.
[Editorial] Change Felony Voting Laws for All
Here's what continues to get us about former Gov. Haley Barbour's excuses for all those pardons. He keeps saying that he is a Christian and, thus, is concerned about the trustys and others whom he believes served enough time and now should be able to go vote and hunt and get professional licenses and the like. Our question to Barbour is: Where were you all these years?
Change Felony Voting Laws for All
Here's what continues to get us about former Gov. Haley Barbour's excuses for all those pardons. He keeps saying that he is a Christian and, thus, is concerned about the trustys and others whom he believes served enough time and now should be able to go vote and hunt and get professional licenses and the like. Our question to Barbour is: Where were you all these years?
[Stiggers] Love and Black History
Jojo wants to give his customers the gift of history to instill in them the ability to learn and think critically during the 'Tribute to Carter G. Woodson and Pre-Valentine Day Sale.' Therefore, Jojo will stock his store with plenty of black history books.
[Kamikaze] ‘I'm No Token'
I attended the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership annual luncheon last week. It's one of those affairs where the city's power players share a meal and listen to a speaker talk about how to move our city forward.
[Queen] Walking In Dignity
When my father named me, he spoke my destiny into existence. The name is taken from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. Funmi means to help people, and Folayan means to walk in dignity. Some may disagree, but this is the meaning my daddy intended: to help people walk with dignity.
[Publisher's Note] Celebrating the Best
Welcome to our tenth annual "Best of Jackson" edition, celebrating the best that Jackson and its surrounding communities have to offer in terms of people, places, services and products. (And, yes, lots of food and drink.)
Celebrating the Best
Welcome to our tenth annual "Best of Jackson" edition, celebrating the best that Jackson and its surrounding communities have to offer in terms of people, places, services and products. (And, yes, lots of food and drink.)
Celebrate the Best, Fix the Rest
The JFP applauds every person, business and organization that is making the capital city into a very special place. The world is starting to take notice.
[Stiggers] Chill With the ‘Peoples'
As the first month of 2012 ends, Lil' Momma Roscoe, the Clubb Chicken Wing staff and I are getting ready for the blitz of February holiday observances, such as National Freedom Day, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), Leap Day and Black History Month
[Furr] The Gold Standard
I want tamales served up Mississippi-style, smaller and spicier and crafted from cornmeal and Delta blues.
[Editor's Note] Rethinking "Tough on Crime"
Gov. Haley Barbour left a lot of people reeling with his recent round of pardons and clemencies. Among the list are vicious, premeditated murderers. It wasn't the first time he's done this--remember that we broke the news of his string of woman-killer pardons in 2008--but this time the state and national media actually paid attention.
Rethinking "Tough on Crime"
Gov. Haley Barbour left a lot of people reeling with his recent round of pardons and clemencies. Among the list are vicious, premeditated murderers. It wasn't the first time he's done this--remember that we broke the news of his string of woman-killer pardons in 2008--but this time the state and national media actually paid attention.
Keep Up the Reform Momentum
Former Gov. Haley Barbour's unprecedented spate of last-minute pardons brought numerous issues regarding some of Mississippi's antiquated customs into the glaring light of national media attention.
Keep Up the Reform Momentum
Former Gov. Haley Barbour's unprecedented spate of last-minute pardons brought numerous issues regarding some of Mississippi's antiquated customs into the glaring light of national media attention.
[Stiggers] Numbed by Nonsense
Boneqweesha Jones: "Welcome to this special 2012 edition of 'Qweesha Live and Direct' on Ghetto Science Public Television. It's a new year of promise, potential and hope for the Ghetto Science Community, America and the world. "
[Kamikaze] Politics, as Usual
We are a nation of extremes. And as we've been inundated with debate after debate in this Republican primary season, it has been even more prevalent. I watched as Republicans jockey to position themselves as the "most conservative" while trying to discredit the front runner, whom they deem "moderate."
[Barkley] Act on Your Beliefs, Guv
Forgiveness and second chances should be the cornerstones of our criminal-justice and correctional systems in Mississippi.
[Editor's Note] Grow Old With Me
The longest day of my life started on a tropical island. It was oh-dark-thirty, so early in the morning that it was still night. I had only taken a short nap following a goodbye party on the beach. The palm trees stirred in the warm sea breeze as I left Guam on my flight. I spent the night in Tokyo, crossed the international date line and landed first in Seattle, then later in Spokane, Wash., all on the same day: Jan. 9, 1986.
Grow Old With Me
The longest day of my life started on a tropical island. It was oh-dark-thirty, so early in the morning that it was still night. I had only taken a short nap following a goodbye party on the beach. The palm trees stirred in the warm sea breeze as I left Guam on my flight. I spent the night in Tokyo, crossed the international date line and landed first in Seattle, then later in Spokane, Wash., all on the same day: Jan. 9, 1986.