You don't seem to know much about Lumumba and the RNA, either, js1976, and that happened long before Fordice and Lott played footsy with radicals. That' didn't stop you that.

I agree that there is a difference between "racist" and "bigot," but bear in mind that there isn't real good evidence yet that Lumumba is a bigot, either. You might consider just skipping the assumptions and name-calling and be specific about what you're concerned about, which is what we've done with all the candidates.

Sarahmina, with the tone of your comments, you're going to have to convince me that you're "at the table." I'm not seeing it, with due respect.

And, thanks, I wrote the editorial this week. I've never pretended to be "all knowing" on race issues; you're hearing what you want to hear. I am willing to have the conversations; and choose to ready, study and think, including from some smart folks on race issues; and as a result have been part of wonderfully fulfilling conversations that taught me tremendous amounts, including mutual respect with others who are trying to do the same thing. I've also learned that it's not good enough for some people, and I'm fine with that. I also try to be compassionate about where that anger comes from, even as I wish it was used more productively.

All I or anyone can do is try very hard and hope that others will join me in that uncertain space.

I also agree on the horrible racemongering around both Obama and Lumumba. But I also know, and have seen, people evolve on who and what they think is "racist," so I will not give up on that front, despite your or other people's disparagement and pessimism. And that goes for people of all races who'd rather me shut up. Ain't happening, so settle in. ;-)

Did you speak out against them, js1976, as you are Lumumba? How do you feel about Lydia's role in state tourism when she is the honored keynote speaker for the CofCC?

And I'm in no way equating the RNA with those groups. I've seen no evidence, and I've looked, that the RNA was trying to take away the rights of people of other races. Thus, not "racist." Were some of the members bigoted? Perhaps. But it's not the same thing. We must be smarter.

js1976, what did you [think of Kirk Fordice][1]? Are you [familiar with Sen. Chassaniol][2] (of the Senate tourism committee)? [What about former Sen. Trent Lott][3]? Concerned about their radical connections as well?

[1]: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/i…
[2]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…
[3]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…

To be factual, Bill, there is no evidence that Mr. Lumumba wants races to live "separate" in today's world. When the RNA formed, it was in response to black people being killed indiscriminately, including by Jackson police, and nothing being done about it. There was a certain necessity to them, then, of black people moving to a separate place to take care of each other.

Now, considering, how many white families fled both the public schools and Jackson itself for then-white enclaves after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled over Christmas break 1969-70 that public schools must integrate right away, it seems that the RNA folks weren't the only ones who were trying to live separately. If you believe now that Lumumba must still hold the same "separatist" views, then you must also apply the same logic to all those white folks.

And I don't recall ever seeing you, or most of the people now inaccurately calling Lumumba "racist," here or most anywhere repudiating white racism and separatism. Nothing if not inconsistency.

The vast phenomenon of white people fleeing neighborhoods when they were no longer the vast majority even has a sociological name: [tipping point][1]. So if we want to complain about separatism, let's make sure we include everything in the conversation.

[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping_po…

OK, folks, many of you have no idea what "racist" means. Mr. Lumumba has never, to our knowledge, done anything to keep white people from having equal rights and access to resources, which is what racism is. You just can't turn him into a "racist" in order to justify your own hate. It's not logical.

ldavis, you are lifting words in the above story out of context. The JFP did not say that white business owners are the savior of the local economy. Here is the full sentence for you to read again:

> Some Jackson supporters of Lumumba's
> rival, businessman Jonathan Lee, and
> many whites in non-Jackson locales
> around the state wrote off the results
> as suggestive of a black electorate
> too ignorant to recognize that Lumumba
> would drive off the minority of white
> home and business owners who bear the
> burden of supporting the local
> economy.

update: Making this story stranger than it already is, one of Lea Easley and Ginger (Gordon) Whitwell's friends just friended me on Facebook. At the top of her Facebook page are photos taken Sunday of the two women (Easley and Whitwhell) riding bikes on vacation together in Seagrove Beach, Fla. When R.L. called Easley's business today, they said she was at the beach. Apparently, she is on vacation with at least one of the Whitwells this week, and apparently was when she posted about the JFP and forwarded the write-in email out to people. We look forward to all three of them—Easley and both Whitwells—returning our calls.

One of our "own"? Not sure I'm following, sarahmina.

We have been known to write about race issues from time to time. We'll see if we can get around to again. (smile)

Anyone can blog on the site, Pilgrim3.