The ‘Perception' of The LedgerI used to work with someone who would infuriate me because—as I used to say somewhat venomously—she would "treat me as if I were as stupid as she is." Ever get that feeling? I've been feeling that way a lot …
[Fleming] Give Barbour Credit Where It's DueIn time, we all can agree on something in our political lives. This week, I can honestly say that I am in agreement with Gov. Haley Barbour on several points. First, I am glad that the governor has had a …
[Kamikaze] All Over But The CryingWell, it's all over but the crying (although I may be late on that one). One of the most storied elections in the history of Jackson is indeed that— history. On June 7, the Bold New City will have a …
[Stiggers] Buy A Steak And Eat It, TooIt's "Boneqweesha Live" from the vault of the Let Me Hold Five Dollars National Bank with Rudy McBride, bank president and the Ghetto Science Team's financial adviser.
Fear is a Four-Letter WordHarvey Johnson is not the only one who lost the mayoral primary last week. So did fear. Yes: <i>fear</i> suffered a resounding loss in Jackson.
[Stiggers] Slurp it Real GoodThe following is a brief message from Crunchie Burga World's Employee of the month: "I'm Miss Wanda, your senior greeter. I've been working at Crunchie Burga World here almost two years. I work to supplement my fixed retirement income. My …
[Hightower] Mine's Bigger Than YoursYou can now splash the essence of Hummer all over your body! General Motors, the maker of this massive symbol of automotive macho, recently licensed a new Hummer cologne calling it "The Essence of Adventure," and pricing it as high …
[Chick] Teaching Monkey the Birds and the BeesEight 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 …
More Than A WomanFour 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 …
[Kamikaze] Give Raines A Second ChanceI guess there's no such thing as second chances. Mistakes, accidents, lapses in judgment—it doesn't matter. Mess up once, and you've got one hell of a road to travel back to public approval. Commit a crime, serve time, and America …
[Stiggers] Summa Time Tips And StuffGhetto Science Public Television presents "Energy Savin' Spring and Summa Time Tips and Stuff" with Grandpa Pookie and Bruh JoJo.
[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 …
[Kamikaze] The Choice Is YoursCome election time, there's always a slew of PSAs—on both TV and radio—stressing the importance of voting. Each time, this election is more important than the last. "Vote or Die" is the new mantra. Even I, during the last presidential …
Community Policing Is Working HereDuring the weeks leading up to the 2005 city elections, we've heard a lot about "community policing"—the mayor's preferred approach to fighting crime—and whether or not it is working. As someone who has participated in community policing since November 2003, …
The Sound and Fury of 'Perception'Ponder these statements for a moment: "There is too much crime in Jackson." "The perception of crime is worse than the reality."
Houston, We Have A ProblemAs 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, …
[Kamikaze] Look Inside The MatrixI had the honor of speaking on a panel recently at Tougaloo College to discuss sexual imagery in hip-hop. It was apropos because my last column spoke to a similar issue. It was a spirited debate to say the least, …
[Stiggers] Not Even A CadillacReadin' Rain-Bro is brought to you by the Let Me Hold Five Dollars National Bank Emergency Aid Fund and the Cootie McBride Help the Financially Challenged Debt Consolidation Centers of America.
[Stiggers] Broke on a Fixed IncomeG-SPAN (Ghetto-Science Public Affairs Network) proudly presents our premiere bootleg broadcast of the Ghetto Science Team's Financially Challenged Economic Summit 2005, with keynote speaker Grandma Pookie.
[Sawyer] Poverty, Lies, And Feeding TubesThe Terri Schiavo debacle has turned into the surrogate of caring about life. It seems as if one advocates for the removal Mrs. Schiavo's feeding tube, then it is they who are violating the sanctity of life—it is they who …
[Kamikaze] Don't Blame NellyMy condolences go out to rap mega-star Nelly and his immediate family. In case you haven't heard, Nelly's sister, 31-year-old Jackie Donahue, lost her battle with leukemia recently. What a lot of people don't know is that Nelly spent a …
The Elephant In The ClassroomThe governor and his loyal cabal of "Stepford senators" seem to believe that Mississippians are stupid. And they sure want to keep us that way.
Chokwe Lumumba Is Getting A Raw DealThere is a pattern in America's ill treatment of those who have something to say, particularly those who are perceived as having "too much" to say. This pattern is made evident in America's treatment of activists ranging from politicians to …
Eating Popcorn and Paying DuesThis week marks the Sixth Annual Crossroads Film Festival, and in this issue of the Jackson Free Press you'll find reviews, recommendations and a program guide to give you a sense of what to look for this Thursday through Sunday …
[Fleming] Our Place in Paradise<i>"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are …
Thou Shalt Honor The F-WordRead my lips. The Ten Commandments are not a toy. And the U.S. Constitution isn't an instrument to be manipulated as the political winds shift.But here we go again. On March 8, the Mississippi House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a …
[Kamikaze] Let's Get ‘Real'Listen, this proposed "council" on racial reconciliation that I've read so much about in previous weeks appears to be a good idea ... in theory. But here's the thing, while this "council" is a necessary tool in the healing process, …