Put The Pros On The Police BeatAs of this writing, Donna Ladd has spent at least 30 hours over two weeks with Mayor Frank Melton in interviews, phone calls, ride-alongs, press conferences and visits at his home to meet the young men he fosters. A good …
The Golden Easter EggI stopped attending church years ago. I'll pause for the collective sharp intake of breath and prayer. It really had little to do with my belief in a higher power, but more to do with having <i>absolutely nothing to wear</i>.
You Can't Resist It–It's Electric!G-SPAN (Ghetto-Science Public Affairs Network) presents highlights from the first annual Anegrophobia Racial Reconciliation and Diversity Conference. We now join guest speaker Dr. Coleman M'Pufu, renowned South African cultural anthropologist and international coordinator for the Electric Slide for World Peace …
LettersI am interning with several adolescent populations here in Milwaukee, and many of the issues ("What's In a Gang?" March 9) touched on really resonated with what I see every day here. It is true that much of the organized …
Who Are The Conservatives?Attend, if you will, to these numbers on discretionary spending in the first five years of two-term presidents.
Why Buy Jackson?Once again, an abundance of commentary has surfaced regarding the decline of Jackson, along with the local pundits' sometimes eccentric explanations of the Capitol City's current afflictions.
[Stiggers] Y Tu Abuela TambienNurse Tootie McBride speaks to immigrant workers during a special missionary trip at the United States/Mexican border.
[Kamikaze] Hamster On A TreadmillI've been intrigued reading some of the posts on the JFP Web site in response to the New York Times story "Plight Worsens for Black Men." Although I didn't need the Times to point out the obvious, folk should know …
Fulfilling The MissionWhen 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 …
The Working Man's ScientologyIt's time for "Understanding Ghetto Scientology" with main elder and founder "Cool Daddy" Jim:
That Motley Crue GirlAbout three months ago, my best friend called me with one of her fabulous ideas. These ideas come at least twice a year and previously involved both a foray into a foreign country and, just once, the purchase of a …
Shooting Blanks"I've made a lot of enemies from that abortion bill, but I'm tired of Republicans beating the hell out of Democrats over that issue."
A Pimp's RevengeI couldn't help but smile as I watched Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia accept their Oscar this month for Best Original Song. Not because they didn't deserve it. Oh no, Three 6 has been holding it down for nearly …
The Sensual EnvironmentalistClubb 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:
Pro-Business Smoke OutMuch has been written about the regional bidding war for the new Kia auto plant—a war in which Georgia defeated Mississippi, and Alabama was never really a competitor. But as state officials tout the various economic incentives they can offer …
The Choices Chicks MakeI spoke to a roomful of young chicks recently. We were all packed into the charming old depot in Forest, Miss., some 40 miles from where I grew up in Neshoba County. They've renovated the building into a downtown art …
[Greggs] Steel MagnoliaI am a woman. I write about it all the time. The dating, the shoes, the makeup, the irrational bouts of temper and the complicated decisions. I often get teased about it. People I meet usually laugh at most of …
[Chick] Quack! Quack!It all started in October, when I became the Hunchback of Noter Damn. After my back went wonky while doing laundry, MRI results showed Degenerative Disk Disease, and there's not a damn thing to be done for it. While I …
[Stiggers] Toot That Honky HornBroadcasting live from Lil' Ray-Ray's rigged satellite dish television network studio and home entertainment center, it's the Brotha Hustle TV Moment.
Call Him IrresponsibleMayor Frank Melton's stated desire to take a leave of absence from his job as mayor to become a vigilante lawman and "bring in" a former gang member and alleged murderer was disturbing to us here at the Jackson Free …
[Stiggers] Home, Sweet Double-Wide HomePookie: "Tonight on the Pookie Economic Report, Brother John-John, property management specialist, building contractor and token Caucasian member of the Ghetto Science Team, shares his vision of housing poor folk affected by Hurricane Katrina."
[Greggs] Quitters Never WinI 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 …
With A Little Help From My FriendsMy childhood was filled with strains of country—Hank Williams Sr. and Jr., Merle Haggard, Tammy and George, Porter and Dolly, Mel Tillis. Actually, I did know the music of one black man, Charley Pride. My mother played his music over …
[Kamikaze] Local Music Stands UpWell, we've come to another music issue. I'm sure this one will prove to be bigger than the last. Each one in the future will be bigger than the one before. I must say I'm very proud of the progress …
[Stiggers] You'll Never Take Aunt Tee-Tee Alive"Dear Diary: I'm not happy when I go to my mailbox. I receive lots of bad news in the form of energy bills. I'm retired and live on a fixed income. So what do you get when you have a …
[Johnson] Shop And Save The WorldIn 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 …
The Second StormLast 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 …
[Kamikaze] Spike's DazeI've always been a fan of Spike Lee, especially for his "take no crap" stance against the Hollywood establishment.
[Stiggers] Buck Shot All Up In Your Booty"It's Boneqweesha live with members of the McBride family as they respond to V.P. Cheney's lil' shootin' accident in Texas."
[Greggs] You're Already ThereThis week I've been wistful. I don't know exactly when this mood came about, but I know that it has definitely been affecting my behavior. This mood might have lent itself to listening to Michael Buble's song "Home" on repeat …