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7 Poverty Triggers
There is a reason that blaming the poor for their plight is useless, not to mention offensive. It’s usually not their fault, especially if they stay poor for long.
How Poverty Happens
It’s one thing to lose your job and suddenly face possible eviction if you don’t find a different one; it’s quite another to exist in a cycle of poverty surrounded by the factors likely to keep you there.
Poverty in the Midst of Plenty
“Poverty in the Midst of Plenty is a paradox that must not go unchallenged in this country.” — John F. Kennedy
A Kinder, Gentler Union
Picking on food stamps has long been a way to gather votes from people who don't bother to pay attention to who is poor and why (call them the 47-percenters).
From Nothing to Something
When I moved back to Mississippi 12 years ago, it felt as if the majority of people I met, especially younger ones, constantly had one foot out the door in one way or the other.
No Time to Fear
The grass isn’t greener, or safer, in another cow pasture or flood plain somebody wants to develop.
Mississippi’s Flag: A Blow at Civilization
The state flag tells the world that Mississippi hasn’t changed.
A Battle Worth Fighting
“A constant struggle, a ceaseless battle to bring success from inhospitable surroundings, is the price of all great achievements.” — Orison Swett Marden
Green Space
If you want to see how differently various people approach the idea of planning for Jackson's future, listen to a discussion of parks and green space.
From Emmett to Trayvon
Crazies will always be there, and we will always have to deal with them. But when trigger-happy men shoot kids of color under cover of Stand Your Ground or Castle Doctrine laws, and mainstream whites rush forward to defend them, we have a more severe problem.
The Contraception Wars
Most of you have surely heard by now that former presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is blaming his resounding loss on "gifts" that President Obama offered young voters, African Americans and Latinos.
Build an Army for Kids, Not Against Them
I was mortified, if not really surprised, to see some of the angry responses to R.L. Nave's excellent cover story last week about the killing of Quardious Thomas.
Mentoring: A Friend for Life
The word "mentor" is incredibly common these days—a good sign that more and more people understand the need to help young people, especially those unfortunate enough not to have a strong family support bases.
Digging up the Roots
When discussing the very difficult issue of violence, we find there are two types of people: those who don't care why criminals resort to violence, and those who get that preventing it can only come from attacking it at the roots.
Character: What Kids (Really) Need
The truth is that not all children have good parents, and giving birth or marrying a person of the opposite gender does not turn people into good parents. Not to mention, good parents don't guarantee perfect kids.