Small is BeautifulWhen Peter Vandorn laid out downtown Jackson's streets in 1822, he designed a checkerboard of alternating green squares. His plan created a public park on every other block. Stores or residences or offices would open doors and windows to green …
[Stiggers] Law of Self-PreservationDuring our morning staff meeting, Jojo went into a philosophical mode to address why companies, small businesses and corporations are slow on hiring.
Light a CandleThe killing of Mr. James Craig Anderson in Jackson in June seems to have precipitated a number of questions that can, in my opinion, be answered by revisiting our state's history.
Be Our GuestOne of the most famous love stories ever told comes to Jackson in October: Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." W. Kessler Ltd. brings the musical, based on a French fairy tale, to Thalia Mara Hall (225 E. Pascagoula St.) Oct. …
An Open Letter to the Greater Jackson CommunityWe, the members of the board of Jackson 2000, extend our hearts and thoughts to the family and friends of James Craig Anderson, and we join the rest of the community in sharing the pain and sadness they must feel, …
[Stiggers] Throw Up Your HandsFrom my perspective, the world is a ghetto dealing with the inner city blues. It makes you want to holler, weep, wail, scream and throw up both your hands, right?
[Kamikaze] I'm AngryI try not to write when I'm angry. They say some of the best writing comes out of emotion. But some of the most regrettable pieces have come when penned emotionally as well.
Of Anger and Alternative EndingsWhen I was a teenager, I decided I wanted to be a civil-rights attorney. I had visions of righting the kinds of wrongs done in my hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. I only learned about the murders of Chaney, Goodman and …
Think First, Bark LaterFights about election results in tight races aren't unusual, but the committee's public-relations errors cast a negative image on Hinds County.
[Stiggers] Hustle ModeIf you're mad as hell and not going to take it any more, come to the east wing of the Clubb Chicken Wing Multi-Purpose Complex and join the Hustle family, the Ghetto Science Franchise Association and the 'Lord, I Don't …
[Mott] Shine OnIn his classic work on creativity, "The Gift," Lewis Hyde likens artistic output to the gift giving of indigenous people. Creativity is a sacred thing to be shared and passed on, like a fine pipe of tobacco among some Native …
[Mamoon] We Are JacksonLiving in Jackson, we have the power to touch lives and change things, and I don't think there is anything more interesting than that.
Stop Being a RegularEverywhere I go, I see people who are not satisfied with where they are. My friends in New Orleans can't wait until they can move to New York or Japan, but people in Jackson are anxious to go to the …
Time for Justice"The wheels of justice grind very slowly, but sometimes they grind in the right direction." Hinds County Circuit Court Tomie Green spoke those words to Cedric Willis March 6, 2006, as she was exonerating him of all charges against him, …
[Stiggers] Loosen the ScrewsSometimes events in life force you to make adjustments, just like that company did when it laid you off. It's time for you to loosen those screws. Rise up and move forward. Hijacking a plane won't help you.
[Kamikaze] What We've LearnedIt's frustrating. Those of us who preach progression, who practice tolerance, see it daily. Despite the Herculean efforts of most of us, we still have some among us who are not willing to embrace diversity.
Second Best IdeasI vividly remember the day when Ward 1 City Councilman Ben Allen bounded into my office at the Jackson Free Press. During the Frank Melton mayoral administration, it wasn't unusual for Allen to pop by; we didn't agree on everything …
Hellos and GoodbyesIn an organization the size of the Jackson Free Press, an employee leaving can feel like losing a family member. That is no more true than with Adam Lynch, the JFP's senior reporter.
[Stiggers] What A Wonderful WorldAlthough most will gripe, moan and complain, all I have to say, 'If we had gotten involved and voted, we wouldn't be in this mess today. And the rich will think to themselves, 'What a wonderful world.'
Truth to PowerI spent last weekend in New Orleans at the Association of Alternative Newsmedia convention. It was held in the posh Ritz Carlton in the heart of the city's business district, and I was challenged trying to reconcile our "alternative" moniker …
The Greatest CauseIt was my final semester in college, and I arrived in the Pendleton Learning Center for BA 465, Human Relations and Values. The class would help me finish my graduation requirements to walk that May.
[Stiggers] Teachable MomentIn the meantime, it's up to us to be positive and continue a good relationship with our loyal customers by honoring the Jojo's Discount Dollar Store slogan: 'In the ghetto, everything is everything, but, at Jojo's, everything will always be …
It's Up to Us to ‘Rebrand' CityThis week, in preparation for our big Jackpedia student/newcomer guide in August, we asked Facebook friends to share the city's "best-kept secrets" to include them in Jackpedia (and at http://www.jackpedia.com). One smart aleck responded immediately: "don't leave your keys in …
[Kamikaze] Professional PoliticiansI cringed when I heard the president utter the words. As his quote was continuously bandied about the Internet, I became even more disappointed. Barack Obama had become the very thing that he tried so hard to convince us he …
[Purvis] Do Unto OthersI am fortunate I haven't had to resort to drastic measures to stay afloat. I know others aren't so lucky.
Time to DecideThe one complaint we hear most often these days is this: Washington lawmakers are out of touch with the people they purport to represent. So how did we get here? As the cartoon character Pogo so aptly put it: "We …
[Stiggers] Poor Folks' Last SupperThe Ghetto Science Community Bureau of Parks, Museums and Cultural Affairs decided to have a 'Great Wall of Artistic Expression' built within the Clubb Chicken Wing Multi-Purpose Complex. This wall will feature various murals from reputable artists from the Ghetto …