Great post!

@ashleedanielle
The spelling of the word was correct. The problem was the hyphenation. So,Ms./Mr./Mrs. Spelling Bee, please accept my deepest apology for this obvious irritant! I further suggest that you should not read any post by justjess. I am 67 years old and blind in my right eye. I also use a very old keyboard that frequently skips letters. In any given blog, you just might find errors: Some because of the conditions I just stated and others because of the fact that I am human and make mistakes.

@msnative1943
Race became a recognized "issue" when Mrs. Mayor Mary Hawkins stated that she did not want Jackson State University to locate in her town. She also stated that she felt responsible for the survival of LSU. Am I the only one who remembers those points?

Jackson State is only a 20 minute drive from Madison. LSU is 3 &1/2hrs. away from Madison.
Jackson State has a faculty shortage and a few other issues that would be better served if this type of debt was not taken on. There isn't any justification for this expansion. Again I ask that the Mountain is not moved to Mohammed.

Hopefully the Wathall Building will soon find a buyer. This will be a good deal for the many on-going projects in Down-Town Jackson.

Now, the opening of a JSU campus in Madison is another matter without absolutely any benefits: financially, politically or with any diversity points. I hope that I'm wrong; however, should it really cost 1.2 million per year in RENT to house 300 studens? At best, this is CRAZY. This does not begin to deal with the cost of hiring teachers, aministrative staff, supplies, office equipment, insurance, utilities and the list goes on and on.

This also means that you will have more of our tax dollars going into the coffers of Madison, Co.

In my opinion, th is truly taking the "Mountain to Mohammed!

It is nothing wrong with calling this wolf, .................. ugly!

This article should be a reading requirement for all kids: public, private or home-school. Even if you choose not to vote. Our City's survival depends on each of us. This is a must read for adults, also.

We MUST stop the name-ing, blame-ing and game-ing good people who are doing or have done a good job with having limited resources and with that BIG missing piece of the puzzle - The WE, The YOU and The They: not just the him or her as an individual.

Thanks for this wonderful article, Ladd. It was well though-out and certainly well received!

I'm confused. I know what was done to Black folks but what I don't know is this: What have Black folks done to white folks?

From my history, Blacks are/were the victims. Seemingly when ever there are signs and symptoms of a people trying to heal and become survivors, you then become the divider?

@ Dorothy Triplett's Open Letter to Jacksonians

Thanks Dorothy. Your letter was well thoughout and certainy, well written. I, too, as you know was a Johnson supporter and have experienced a deep sense of sadness and loss.

There are issues here that need to be resolved. People usually say bad things out of their fears, real or imagined. Some say things based on past experiences that they fear repeating. There are also issues that will require political postmortem: How did we lose Johnson as a candidate - not even making the run-off? Was Lee really a Republican plant brought in three years ago and with participatory thoughts, behaviors of Republican ideology to defeat Johnson? Who is Lumumba and are the fears of whites and some blacks with/without merit? ....and the list goes on and on.

I think that I know many of the problems. The solution will eventually be those things referenced in Dorthy Triplett's open letter if Jackson is to continue to survive and acheive its goal of becomming a "Destination City".

Positive thoughts can lead to positive behaviors. Positive thoughts and behaviors will lead to a successful Jackson: On our way up and not down the tube.

@myself (justjess)
"pop holes & checking resident tatus" Good grief, the correction is "status"

It is past time to get another computer and for sure a nre key board. i won't admit to alzheimers yet. LOL!

Jackson residents just un-elected a mayor, Harvey Johnson, whose complaints from citizens were the potholes in street and the LIE that his home is in Madison. So, why are we talking about past Civil Rights History of Lumumba and the Republicans supporting and financing Jonathan Lee.

Shouldn't we be discussing: pot holes & checking resident tatus?

Johnson was a Mayor who stood strong against the Legislature that wants to control Jackson's purse strings. One of the candidates, Jonathan Lee, accused him of not reaching across the isle to deal with White Republicans. I just wish that voters could have ivestigated Johnson the same way that Lumumba and Lee are being investigated. Had that been done, I think that we would have seen a different outcome.

Left standing in the Mayoral Democratic Race are Lumumba and Lee. Based on my on investigation of both candidates, I will now support Lumumba.

Mayor Johnson will be ok. It is my understanding that Jackson's loss will be another's gain. Many Cities and Small Towns are making fatastic offers to this talented and smart working man: One who was able to take over the ruins of Frank Melton and put the City back on the course of moving forward. It was not by accident that the JFP endorsed Johnson. Ladd and her team drive a tough bargain and it is understandable that the JFP has chosen to sit this one out.

I remember the JFP's many attemps to save this community from the hands of Melton. I guess this city should have the motto of Missourians: "I'm from Missouri - You have to show me."

melton showed this city a ghost!

It is my sincere hope that we are not of the brink of facing another horrible lesson in a repeat of our city's history.

See you at the POLLS and hopefully at the victory celebration for Chokwe Lumumba.

@1234
"If you do have a problem with that, or if you happen to be the type of mayoral candidate who would use that as one of his points to paint someone as "not a true Democrat," then you are not really any different than the Tea Party."

The ideations of these parties are their elements of seperation. If one pulls between both parties, they usually register as "independent". After all is said, this is the "democratic run-off". i think that it is fair game to challenge an opponent with so much Republican involvement and financial support. When much is given, much is expected. There have been many politicians here in MS who have used Democratic dollars and support to win an election. Once elected, they suddenly become Republican. Does anyone remember Mike Parker & amy tuck?

@JLucas

I agree with your assessment of the Mayoral Debate that aired on WAPT last night. Lee didn't just have a bad night; He had an evening of public exposure of his lack of experience, bad choices, failing business and lack of an understanding or an appreciation for the germ that yeiled him his place and station in life.

One of your comments does cause pause, JLucas: "....trying to convince folks he doesn't hate whitey as much as he used to".

I never thought that Lumumba hated whites; I think that what he hated was the egregious behaviors or some Whites - the lynchngs, beatings, rapes, negative evaluations (especially of the Black male), unfair/unjust legal system, etc. One can hate the behavior and not necessarily the person/people.

Isn't it true that Lumumba's MOTHER is White? He speaks very lovingly about being raised in the project in Detroit with loving supportive parents. Maybe the JFP have the answer or will get the answer to this question.