Jackson Free Press

The town's abuzz, folks!

Everybody's got an opinion. Some folks are mad. Some folks are indifferent. A lot of folks didn't even see it. I'm talking about Tom Brokaw's exposé on Jackson. Those damn Yankees have come down here again and stirred up trouble.

Remember in the '60s, when the northerners came down to Mississippi and stirred up all the "good negroes" with their talk of voting and such? Well, the old adage that says those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it is apropos. As the establishment did during the Civil Rights era, whenever the light of truth is shined on the Magnolia State, folks scurry away like cockroaches under the kitchen sink. Our dirty little secrets never became that embarrassing until they're put on a national stage for everyone to see. The most disgusting part of all this is that a lot of folks weren't as mad at what they saw as they were at the fact that the rest of America saw it.

Since I was out gigging at the time, I missed the initial broadcast. So before I could pass judgment, I had to go back and read the transcripts, watch the footage and browse through readers' comments.

My question to all the pissed-off Jacksonians? Why are you just now getting mad? Brokaw didn't uncover anything new. We've been screaming for years that kids in our own backyard have been growing up in abject poverty. Where was all the anger two years ago when Lanier didn't have one male student academically eligible to run for class office? Where was the outrage back in '86 when big-city gang culture infiltrated Jackson? Where was the disgust when that gang-culture birthed a drug culture? Why did you turn away when that drug-culture led to murder and mayhem on our city streets?

The fact of the matter is, our supposed "leaders" just don't get it. They're out of touch with the "hood." They're out of touch with the youth. More importantly, they're not in tune with what these kids are going through.

That was never more evident than by some of the folks NBC chose to talk to and the haphazard, half-ass attempt to somehow make hip-hop a scapegoat—again. Now that the world has seen it, we're ashamed. That's funny. Can't make a fluff-tourist-friendly piece when there's no fluff to work with. But I've been telling you since I started this column, that's why our lyrics sound like they do. That's why kids like Manuel end up like they do. These kids are giving you all the answers to all your questions, but you're not listening. Perhaps Brokaw had to help you get a clue.

This city has deep-rooted problems that were here before him, and if we're not careful, they'll be here after. Policy notwithstanding, our mayor doesn't think he's too good to talk to the least of us. That counts for something.

The real "problem" has to be addressed by all of us who don't want to see another child go to bed hungry in Georgetown or on Wood Street. So to all African-American fraternities and sororities, NAACP, 100 Black Men, churches, liberals, whoever ... stop talking, meeting and blogging, and start doing something. And that's the truth ... sho-nuff!

Previous Commentsshow

Want to make sure my entire point gets across too. My column was a little longer than usual so they had to edit parts out, my passion for this subject had me writing bunches...But... Before the next to last paragraph...my statement was: "It didn't matter until it was brought to some of your doorsteps.  The fact of the matter is, our supposed "leaders" just don't get it.  They're out of touch with the "hood".  They're out of touch with the youth.  And more importantly, they're not in tune with what these kids are going through and refuse to concede to those who can reach them.  That was never more evident than by some of the folks NBC chose to talk to and the haphazard, half-ass attempt to somehow make hip hop a scapegoat --- AGAIN.  Now that the world has seen it, we're ashamed.  That's funny.  Can't make a fluff-tourist friendly piece when there's no fluff to work with.  But I've been telling you since I started this column, that's why our lyrics sound like they do.  That's why kids like Marvel end up like they do.  These kids are giving you all the answers to all your questions, but you're not listening.  Perhaps it took Brokaw for you to get a clue. I CONTINUED HERE: ......And, guess what, the mayor is not the problem!  Sure he's unorthodox.  But this city has deep rooted problems that were here before him and if we're not careful, they'll be here after him.  Hell, Frank Melton and Kenneth Stokes are the only public officials here I've ever seen actually go into the hood and interact with the people.  Policy notwithstanding, our mayor doesn't think he's too good to talk to the least of us.   Whether you like it or not, that counts for something.  Some of you folks were so fixated on the mayor being part of that story that you carelessly overlooked the real "problem".  That "problem" won't be fixed by any mayor, police chief, or public official.  just wanted to make sure my points weren't lost with the edits. Thanks Ya'll

Kamikaze

Aug 2 2006

I love this column/article although I disagree with a little bit of it. That bit isn't worth mentioning. Good writing, probing, riveting, and challenging. Thomas Billips, coach at Lanier, was the high school quarterback at Camille High, the black High School in Louisville, before intergration. I was in the band when in the 6th and 7th grades and saw him play all the time. He has always been very driven and doen't accept excuses for failing. The coaches literally had to snatch him from games when he was so injured he could barely walk or move. He has out of this world courage and threshhold for pain. There is absolutely no room for bullsh1t or anything else short of success with him. Back then we thought he was crazy and many of us still think it. But he has won championship after championship.

Ray Carter

Aug 2 2006

Ray Carter>> love this column/article although I disagree with a little bit of it. That bit isn't worth mentioning. Good writing, probing, riveting, and challenging.<< This is more akin to rantin' that anything else. Much like the people he rants against, he also fails to offer any solutions to the conditions he so eloquently complains about. Am I too undertand that just "goin' into the 'hood" and talking to people is cause for accolades or somehow gives one more insight or sympathy for the plight of inner city residents? Hell, many of us came from there or still live there and still don't give a d***. I agree on one thing in the article, and that is the "mayor is not the problem". No, but he is the front man for the continuing oversimplification of the intractable nature of crime and poverty in our city. Sloganeering, quips and quick fix solutions do more to perpetuate these conditions than one might expect, because it causes people to belive they don't need to make substantive, long term committments of time and resources. The homeless will still be homeless long after the mayor has spent his last fireside chat with them underneath the train trestle. The neglected black children of Jackson will remain neglected and poverty stricken many years after he has gotten down with his last hip-hopster. And people will still believe that "quick fixes" are possible when we know they ain't.

tomac

Aug 2 2006

This is going to be a good one. I like it because it's Kamikaze's trademark writing style with good and bad points. I can't disagree with Tomac, but I'll just read a little more before chiming back in. Tomac, don't forget to rad Donna' column on the matter too.

Ray Carter

Aug 2 2006

I hate that I didn't get a chance to see the TOm Brokaw special, it must of been something. But with all the fuss surrounding the special report.... the main thing that is reoccuring in my mind is......... these problems are all over the united states..... it doesn't start and end here. I hope Brokaw touched on that fact. tomac you wrote: " Am I too undertand that just "goin' into the 'hood" and talking to people is cause for accolades or somehow gives one more insight or sympathy for the plight of inner city residents? " I disagree w/ this statement. It may not be a cause for "accolades" but that is a start. people in higher places often think they know what's best for people on lower ends of the todem pole simply because of their "stature" but in reality how can you truly help the people if you don't know what's going on. These are individuals with individual problems.......generalizations will not solve everybody's problems. So for public officials to go to the "hood" and make an effort to care about the people is a start and does deserve to be mentioned, because in a sense it's building a relationship and trust between the haves and the have nots

jan2006

Aug 2 2006

I am not going to even get into the fact that whenever Kamikaze does an article there is always someone on here that has to be contrary. Why not give accolades to someone who goes into the community. It's not like there are billions of folk running to the communities to offer any solutions or even to figure out the problem. So yes, when someone takes it upon themselves to do this, not for a job or for money, or community service or because they lived there or because they know someone in the community, but just because they have a place within that lets them know that the positivity they own should be shared and do not allow the hatred from folks who talk and don't do a darn thing, keep them from trying to reach these communities. I have never seen so many people so willing and able to judge Kamikaze as if this man is not taking this city for what it is and trying to see it become something more. Someone who would do this and isn't the Mayor surely does need accolades. Are you doing it tomac? What is it that you are doing that could possibly lead to an accolade, besides trying to tear down that which POSITIVITY has and is still trying to build.

Queen601

Aug 8 2006

Oooh, okay, my bad I guess that was jumping the gun. You were probably talking about Brokaw, not Kamikaze....sorry Tomac...I was reading fast and ready to get upset...I guess. Sorry...hey donna can you delete my crappy post. One of those days. I apologize and yes, I'll log off now.

Queen601

Aug 8 2006