Jackson Free Press

So I'm up in Chicago right now teaching at the Academy for Alternative Journalism done at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. It's been fun and inspiring—10 students are chosen every year for the workshop with the goal of increasing diversity in the alternative media by teaching them how to write alternative-style—meaning, for the most part, not like the daily newspaper. ;-) We teach heavy immersion reporting, narrative writing and in-depth research. I love it—it's definitely "being deliberate" about finding the right way to ensure that our industry covers all our communities in meaning ways.

It's a great group of students; I wish I could put them all in my carry-on and bring them back to Mississippi with me. And I think I did a good job of representing while here; many of the students seem to want to come to Mississippi to work now. It didn't hurt for them to hear about all our AAN awards in three short years, and about Casey going to Africa with Nick Kristoff after her JFP stint. They also really enjoyed Brian's cover story this week about Cedric.

I haven't gotten out much in Chicago on this trip. I did go meet a documentary maker I know here for beers (we both had the same fellowship a few years back and bonded due to our contrarian natures and love of those Brazilian cocktails with all the limes and sugar; I forget what they're called. Inevitably). He's probably the most dedicated filmmaker I've ever met, with a complete focus on doing work that matters. He gave me DVDs of his two most recent docs (including his Oscar-nominated "Legacy" which I've seen). I'm thinking we should do a special Jackson screening of them. And he would be great to come to Crossroads; let's see if I can find someone on the board there to convince. ;-)

I like Chicago, and need to spend more time here. I've had amazing cab drivers; they remind me of folks back home in Jackson, probably for good reason. There is something very southern about Chicago, a vibe I'm so familiar with after living in Jackson. We do have a direct connection with this city, and I need to spend more time here. In fact, I'll be back in two weeks to teach again, this time at the AAN Medill Writing Workshop, which will draw alt writers from around the country. Natalie's coming with me for that; it should be fun, too.

Otherwise, congrats to Natalie—our new assistant editor—for getting a fellowship to attend a Poynter Institute seminar on covering race and immigration. We believe very strongly in professional development and giving our writers and editors every chance to get connected in the larger world. That's good for Mississippi, and it's good for the "outside" to get chances to break up their stereotypes about Mississippians.

So, I have an hour before I have to leave for the airport. I'm happy to report that I was quick enough to get an "A" boarding pass for my Southwest flight; as everyone knows, that key. Dr. Leslie McLemore was on my flight here, and he and I both waited int he wrong line, and ended up near the end of the "B" line. However, he managed to get an aisle seat at the front of the plane, while I sat in the middle of two (thankfully skinny) women in the middle. And I'm happy to report that he made fun of me loudly as I walked back him so everyone would know that I was in the wrong line. Not tonight, Councilman!

Now, though I must nap. See y'all in Jacktown.