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[Chick] Teaching Monkey the Birds and the Bees
Eight years into it, and I'm still allowed to be a mother. I can't believe it. What kind of decision-maker approves me as a fit mother? Oh, that's right. God. God gave me this child. I'm sure this is when someone should throw the "God has a sense of humor" cliche' into the situation. "Dear God, can I please, please, please complete a thought today without interruption? Yes, I'm thankful for Monkey and all, but I really think I was supposed to get a quieter one. I mean all my life, I had said that I would have a better behaved child than everyone else. Remember?
[Jones] What's A Cool Mom?
I'm not sure what "cool mom" means, but I'm flattered. If it means being an irresponsible parent, I withdraw the nomination. So many times people think being "cool" to kids requires that you let them drink and smoke and enforce no discipline or expectations on them. Johnny and I are quite the opposite. I really think of myself as a teacher.
[Stiggers] When I Say, ‘Hee', They Say ‘Haw'!
This episode of "All God's Churn Got Shoes" has the answer to the burning question: Where is Colin Powell? The former secretary of state and his son Michael (former FCC Chairman) have gone to China to visit Master Po' Brutha, elder Shaolin Priest and honorary member of the Ghetto Science Team.
Don't Call Me Ma'am
"Yes, ma'am." "No, ma'am." "Ma'am this, ma'am that." If there is anything I absolutely despise, it is the tendency of people in my home state to call me "ma'am." I spend much of my early interactions with my new interns—and even sometimes with writers who are older than I am, or at least look and act older—trying to get them to stop using the M-word around me.
Fear And Loathing In The Dirty South
I'm an opinionated chick, but every now and then, an issue comes a long that, no matter how much I ponder it, I can't quite firmly take a side on it. Choosing one side would be denying the reality of the other, when both are very real.
[Stauffer] A River Running Through It
The LeFleur Lakes project will be something that Jackson talks about for some time to come. Originally the brainchild of developer and engineer John McGowan, the "Two Lakes" project, as it�s often called, is a plan to dredge a canal in the bed of the Pearl River and then flood the river to create what (arguably) could be called two lakes—an upper and a lower, with the dividing line somewhere around LeFleur's Bluff Park. Some supporters tout the project as a miracle solution to Jackson's problems—or, at least, the flooding and economic development woes. With waterfront lapping up to the outskirts of downtown and all along the eastern edge of Jackson, people will flock back to Jackson and once again fill the city's tax coffers, they say.
[Lott] Upon the Death of Ronald Reagan
"On this sad day, I am thankful that, at a time when our country was down, and the cause of freedom was in danger, and so many had lost faith in the future, Providence gave to us and to mankind - Ronald Wilson Reagan.
[Mizell] It's as Simple as That
I took a creative writing class in college recently that was small and intimate and we actually discussed interesting things. Usually we'd go over poems and plays; but recently we began to discuss Mississippi, and what we like about it, and what we don't like about it, and how we could change it. So I offered up the question of how my classmates felt about the controversy about the cigarette tax proposals that were recently brought up, and defeated, in the Mississippi Legislature. Most had no idea what I was talking about, and being passionate about the topic, I began to explain.
[Perry] ‘Eye for an Eye' Not Enough
As a transplanted native of Jackson, with family still there, I have been following the story of Edgar Ray Killen's upcoming trial. I was delighted to see that Mississippians such as Donna Ladd, Eric Stringfellow and the Jackson Human Relations Council are talking about a truth and reconciliation process, an idea I support wholeheartedly.
The Great American Experiment
Here's the column that drew the ire of Mr. Kim Wade, radio talk-show host, as reported in this week's issue.
[Stiggers] Summertime, and the Livin' Ain't Easy
Ladies, gentlemen and po' folks, playwright and entrepreneur Pookie Peterz presents his critically acclaimed ghetto-tragedy opera "Porgy and Bush."
[Cannon] Stamp Out Black History Month
It's here again. Black History Month. "Roots" will be played over and over and over again. The Black Heritage Movie Network will show films like "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song." And we'll be blessed with all those precious Black History Moments: "Madam C.J. Walker was the first black female millionaire," says the smiling local news personality. Why is that remarkable thing significant only in February? Answer: It's not.
More Than A Woman
Four years ago, I came to Jackson to go to Millsaps excited mostly about one thing: getting away from my mother. My mom had always been pretty lenient—pushing my curfew back much later than any of my friends, letting me go visit friends in New Orleans for a whole month—but I couldn't wait to get away.
[Greggs] The Storm of the Century
This is the first time I've written since The Storm of the Century hit the Coast. This has bothered me more than not sleeping in my own bed, as writing is my own form of sustenance. I've been a "displaced person" since Monday. I'm not quite sure when I will be able to return to my house, as I will probably be one of the last people to get power. During the storm, a 150-year-old oak tree fell on the power lines in my front yard. Minus it being one of the scariest moments of my life, it also means there is a lot of work to be done before I am restored on the Almighty "Grid."
[Stiggers] Summa Time Tips And Stuff
Ghetto Science Public Television presents "Energy Savin' Spring and Summa Time Tips and Stuff" with Grandpa Pookie and Bruh JoJo.
[Lott] Protecting Forests
Recently passed by the Senate thanks to the strong leadership of Senator Thad Cochran and supported by President Bush, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act will be a major benefit in states like Mississippi where forests cover 60 percent of our state, account for 10 percent of all jobs and consistently compete with poultry as the state's number one agricultural product. This act will use sensible measures to ensure that wildfires like those which scorched California last year will not harm Mississippi's wildlife or human life.
The Weak Shall Inherit The State
A coalition of children's advocates are declaring 2005 the "Year of the Child" in Mississippi. It's about damned time. It's way past the point that we Mississippians must start standing up for our weakest residents. Young people have rights. They have needs. They make mistakes. It's not all about them respecting us; it's about us treating them with dignity and compassion and understanding, helping them instead of inflicting further harm.
Real Life
As I start this column, I'm in a hotel room in Baltimore, Md., just outside of BWI airport, having had my flight back to Jackson canceled repeatedly for the past two days because the airport had no power and water. I'm watching the Weather Channel and CNN and checking in to post things on the JFP Web site, because I'm the only member of the staff with Internet access. Or power. The devastation on the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans is heartbreaking and, seemingly, getting worse by the hour.
[Stiggers] The Pink Slip Is A Joke, Right?
Too Much Drama fo' Yo' Momma Street Corner Theatre Productions presents "Free Like Government Cheese," a one-man play by Filmo Jones.
Houston, We Have A Problem
As soon as the Best of Jackson 2005 issue was put to bed, the JFP turned our attention to the upcoming city elections. My personal mayoral bias was that Harvey Johnson Jr. had done a pretty good job as mayor, certainly in the last four years; our readers thought so, too. They had voted him Best Elected Official and Most Under-Appreciated Jacksonian in the Best of Jackson awards—largely, I suspect because his long-term visions had started coming to fruition in the last couple years, and because he has embraced the emerging diverse, determined creative class here. It didn't hurt any that crime was falling and private investment was returning to Jackson.