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The Art Of Being The Best
Just mention "the state's inferiority complex" to a Mississippi native, and he or she will likely respond: "God, isn't that the truth?" Let's just say that residents of our dear state haven't been schooled in the fine art of being the "best." Or, to be more precise, no matter how talented we are personally, collectively, we don't believe we're the best.
[Greggs] An Angry Young Woman
Topics often jump out at me over the course of a week. This week, everything was jumping, and not a one of them was staying down. I went over my last columns in my head wondering what to pontificate about this week. Gay? Did it. Woman? Been there. Sex? Several times.
[Stiggers] Et Tu, Popeye?
Chef "low-fat" Meat: "Distinguished members of The Illumi-nappy-headed, I'm honored to be a guest speaker for the 'What's Happenin' Now Conspiracy Convention.'
[Greggs] Male Rules For Dating
While sitting down and enjoying an "adult beverage" with a few guy friends the other night, the topic of dating came up. Now, I've always maintained that I wouldn't write about dating in a column. I've previously mentioned that I just don't do it well, and recent events in my life prove it. Dating for me at this point consists of believing that Michael Buble speaks to me through the radio. He is commanding me to stalk him. Every time he sings "Save the Last Dance For Me" with that Sinatra-like smoothness, he's shooting a rainbow straight through my heart laced with obsessive compulsion and covered in a restraining order. That man knows exactly what he's doing.
Clinton, Coulter and Me
Former President Bill Clinton was not the biggest draw for me this month at the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies' national convention in Little Rock. I don't dig liars. Personally, I was more excited about the luncheon the day before when my staff brought home six awards—including first-place honors in newswriting for reporter Adam Lynch.
[Stiggers] Working For Mr. Cholly
Boneqweesha: "It's Boneqweesha live, covering the grand opening of the Let Me Hold Five Dollars Insurance Company's Daddy McBride memorial building. I'm with Daddy McBride, patriarch of the McBride family and inspiration for L.M.H.F.D. Insurance Company. Daddy, I know that you and the McBride family are proud of this achievement today."
The Working Man's Scientology
It's time for "Understanding Ghetto Scientology" with main elder and founder "Cool Daddy" Jim:
The Second Storm
Last week, the House released "A Failure of Initiative," a report on the government's failures in Katrina. The report details the "organizational paralysis" that bottled up critical information for hours, even days, as information awaited "confirmation" by one agency after another.
Fulfilling The Mission
When I got involved with the Crossroads Film Society, I didn't know much about non-profits or arts societies—my face was too often buried in a computer screen to get involved in stuff like that. But two years ago, some great folks decided it was time to fill a gap and start bringing regular independent films screenings to the Jackson Metro.
The Sensual Environmentalist
Clubb Chicken Wing's ghetto science, folklore and music lecture series presents renowned ghetto environmentalist and former member of the Rent Party Disco Band, Dr. Tidwell "Too Funky Feets" Jackson:
[Stiggers] Koolin' Out
Kunta "Rahsheed X" Toby Productions presents a sneak peek at his new dramatic comedy that will touch your mind and not your behind: "My Big Fat Meat Front Porch Wedding, Barbecue and Disco."
[Stiggers] Angry Moments In Black History
Bruh Jojo: "Thirty years ago, I was one of the first black students to attend a predominately white, private high school. I encountered my most challenging moment during an American history class. The lesson of the day covered slavery, chapter 8, page 246 of the freshman American history book. All of the attention fell on me, Jojo, the black kid, as Mr. Jones asked me to read out loud brief paragraphs about slavery, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
The Little Weekly That Could
We celebrate a milestone with the issue of the Jackson Free Press that you hold in your hand, as it's the first issue of our fifth year of publishing. We're 4! It's been quite a ride from our start as a small bi-weekly upstart to our current incarnation as a mid-sized (and growing!), award-winning, story-breakin' weekly publication and a daily news-driven Web site. And we hope, a positive media force in the Jackson Metro community. We certainly couldn't have gotten to this point without dedicated readers, advertisers and—increasingly—the citizen journalists who call to give us tips and participate via our Web site.
What We Have To Lose
It was with a great deal of concern that I emerged from reading Adam Lynch's story on the city's budget woes in last week's Jackson Free Press ("Bleak House," 4/10/06), because it confirmed for me a fear that I have about Mayor Frank Melton's administration. Right now, the city appears to lack serious fiscal leadership at the top.
[Johnson] Shop And Save The World
In an ever-expanding society, it is easy to feel powerless toward the social ills looming across the globe. Despite wide-spread voter apathy and legions of lock-step bureaucrats pandering to lobbyists, voting is still heralded as the key to influencing societal affairs. While voting out some of these seedy individuals is a high priority, not much is made of the force exerted with the exchange of every dollar. In a culture defined by the free-market ideal, consumers exercise more power than citizens. After all, corporations can't lobby without the money we provide them.
[Greggs] Quitters Never Win
I am a smoker. For 10 years I've been a smoker. I smoke, and I love it. At last count, I've tried to quit six times. Each time I've exponentially increased the number of days I stayed off the cancer sticks, but always I seem to find my way home. After a few weeks sans cigarettes I would find myself coveting a friend's smoke and would stop at a store to buy a pack. Wracked with shame, I would thank the Sweet Baby Jesus that living in Mississippi at least meant the price of them wasn't killing me.
[Stiggers] Y Tu Abuela Tambien
Nurse Tootie McBride speaks to immigrant workers during a special missionary trip at the United States/Mexican border.
[Grayson] Save the Arts That Saved Me
As a Lanier High School graduate, I am proud (and aware) of the importance of my school's heritage as one of the most historic black public schools in the area—and know well how important support of the arts is to students such as myself. My life was changed because of experiences I received there in projects outside the regular curriculum—work that was funded by grants from local arts organizations such as the Jackson Arts Alliance (now called the Jackson Arts Council).
[Stiggers] Double-Dutch Church Bus
Rev. Cletus: "God bless ya! This is the Right Rev. Cletus, your transportation minister and car salesman, broadcasting live from Rev. Cletus Car Sales—home of the Double-Dutch Church Bus Express. Our motto: 'Swing low, sweet Chariot. We'll get ya to the church on time!'
[Stiggers] Dr. Collard Greene Goes Organic
Chef "Low" Fat Meat: "My health-conscious friends complained about the food I used to serve at my restaurant.