AltWeeklies Wire
Mississippi: Clawing to the Topnew
When Mississippians start doing this together thing, we quickly find that the culture around us starts changing. We suddenly believe we've got this, we can solve problems, we're as good as anyone else and, by damn, we can even win stuff—hearts and minds, respect, awards and maybe even a national championship or a Heisman.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
11-10-2014 |
Commentary
Love, Anywaynew
No, not all men abuse or hurt, but collectively we have condoned a society that excuses it too often when they do.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
06-13-2014 |
Culture
Mrs. Truth, Mr. Humanitynew
I first visited Battle Creek's monument to Sojourner Truth, an illiterate woman who shed her slave name and chose "Truth," saying "... and truth shall be my abiding name."
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
05-22-2014 |
Commentary
Mentoring: A Friend for Lifenew
The word "mentor" is incredibly common these days—a good sign that more and more people understand the need to help young people, especially those unfortunate enough not to have a strong family support bases.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
12-19-2013 |
Advice
Digging up the Rootsnew
When discussing the very difficult issue of violence, we find there are two types of people: those who don't care why criminals resort to violence, and those who get that preventing it can only come from attacking it at the roots. That is, we stop crime before it happens by trying to understand and fix why a young person takes that turn in the first place.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
12-19-2013 |
Advice
Tags: violence
Build an Army for Kids, Not Against Themnew
Many Mississippians are familiar with people who were raised on the slavery-spawned myth that people of color are more violent, which served as a primary justification to keep segregation and even lynching in place; nearly always, an alleged crime was the rationale.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
12-19-2013 |
Commentary
Great Expectationsnew
All of us need to be believed in, regardless of the luck of our early circumstances.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
04-26-2013 |
Advice
Take It to the Streetsnew
"Urban warriors" is what I've dubbed the growing group of people of all ages in Jackson who are determined to reverse the narrative here. These are people who know that crime is a symptom of much larger problems, and who don't try to use the problem as a way to get cheap votes or attention.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
03-15-2013 |
Commentary
A More Intolerant Nationnew
This week, a local dentist showed up on Facebook agitated that we had dared publish a story about guns in a public-health context.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
08-16-2012 |
Commentary
Two Steps Forwardnew
Unwittingly, I became part of one of Mississippi's core challenges: our brain drain. You know the drill: Either you go along with the program here (or lack of one), or you get the hell out.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
03-31-2012 |
Commentary
Best of Jackson 2012new
Every fall for a decade now, the Jackson Free Press has asked readers to vote for your favorite local businesses, people, institutions and organizations. Thank you to all who took time to fill out the long ballot to help point this positive spotlight where it needs to shine.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
01-27-2012 |
Commentary
Pecos Bill and the Haunted Statenew
As the nation struggles to determine an intelligent immigration policy -- which we desperately need -- it is time for a moratorium on "illegal" tall tales.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
02-22-2008 |
Commentary
The Fierce Urgency of Nownew
We all share history, for better or worse. What matters is whether we keep it locked away inside because it's too painful to admit, or whether we allow it to infuse everything we do to overcome Mississippi's racial legacy.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
01-17-2008 |
Commentary
Protecting God's Green Acrenew
Warning to all politicians: While you're bickering and lying about each other, and fighting over who owns God, the Green Revolution has arrived. And guess what: It's not for free-love hippies anymore.
Jackson Free Press |
Donna Ladd |
12-13-2007 |
Commentary
Fly Partynew
Style tips for Halloween decorating, tunes and drinks.
Jackson Free Press |
Maggie Burks, Andi Agnew and Donna Ladd |
10-25-2007 |
Culture
