Jackson Free Press

The JFP is a proud sponsor of two upcoming panel discussions on domestic abuse and violence, both called "A Way Out: A Community Discussion on Domestic Abuse and Violence." Desare Frazier of WAPT will moderate both panels:

"A Way Out: Community Discussion on Domestic Abuse and Violence" will feature community speakers Jimmy Houston, Ridgeland Chief of Police; Voncele Savage, author of "A Letter to My Sisters, The Way Out"; Carol Davis, Madison County Justice Court Judge; Donna Ladd, Editor of Jackson Free Press; Sandy Middleton, Executive Director for The Center for Violence Prevention; and Desare Frazier, Channel 16 News Anchor and moderator. A second presentation has been scheduled for the Flowood Library on Thursday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m. For additional information, please call Ridgeland Library at 601.856.4536 or Flowood Library at 601.919.1911.

Nov. 29 - Flowood Library on Old Fannin Rd. 6 p.m., free
Participants: Author Voncele Savage, Rankin County Sheriff Ronnie Pennington; Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd; Center for Violence Prevention Director Sandy Middleton; Assistant Attorney General Heather Wagner; Police Chief Jimmy Huston.

Call Ronni Mott at 601.362.6121, ext. 0, for information.

Previous Commentsshow

Donna: Are any forums scheduled for Jackson in the near future?

BuyJxn

Oct 30 2007

We're working on one, but can't square a date in November that will work (most of my nights are jam-packed between teaching, JFP sponsorships and charity stuff). And December is tough for scheduling anything. So we're looking toward mid-January. Thoughts?

DonnaLadd

Oct 30 2007

None other than I am available as volunteer labor for the Jackson stint whenever you may need. Anything. Cleanup, whatever. I attended a vigil last night and when I told a male friend of mine where I had been his advice to me was that I should let go of my past (meaning the domestic violence and sexual assaults I've endured) and get on with my future. That caused me to wonder how many women have no one to really reach out to because when they do they're told basically to suck it up. It occurred to me that this is the way we are forced into silence. I won't suck it up, that's what's getting so many of us killed. How dare they tell us to just go on as if nothing has happened when everyone in the world presently is the sum total of their past experiences. What a load of crap. Really

BuyJxn

Oct 31 2007

What a great topic! I'm sure that it will be well attended because it is my understanding that a lot of abuse happens in the communities that the events are scheduled for. The spectrum of abuse is physical, sexual and of course emotional. I wish that Mrs. Bell could have had some guidance for herself and her son other than the protective hiding under a mother's wing. I, too, would like to see the topic presented in Jackson, proper.

justjess

Nov 1 2007

What a *great* discussion, folks. Watch WAPT tonight at 10 for a report. Cheers to Desare and all the panelists. Can't wait to do the next one.

DonnaLadd

Nov 1 2007

How'd it go last night? Let me know when a forum will be in Jackson. I'm willing to help out.

LatashaWillis

Nov 2 2007

BuyJKN, thanks for sharing your comments about personal experiences with abuse and your volunteer position for "anything" should not go un-noticed. Your being able to respond to the gentleman in a "take charge of me" fashion speaks highly to the fact that you are able to move on: This time in a positive direction. Hang in there!

justjess

Nov 2 2007

I want to throw something else into this discussion just as food for thought. Ms Bell has been indicted and I've noticed the conversation about her has taken a turn albeit a subtle one, toward disappointment in her allegedly aiding her son. Let's look from another direction. What are the possibilities (I think they are many) that Ms Bell found herself in the middle of a nightmare with her son. What if she was absolutely terrified to move or do anything other than what she was instructed fearing her son would kill her too? This is not far-fetched. What is Ms Bell was afraid to even reach for the phone? Everyone who has never really experienced what real fear can do will scoff at my suggestions but let me just say that absolute fear has the safe effect as absolute power. Absolute fear paralyzes TOTALLY. Yes it's nice to say "I would have done this or that, there's no way I would have done this or that" but the truth is none of us know what we will do in any situation untill we are not only faced with, but smack dab in the middle of that situation. If Robbie Bell is the doting mother who was not in fear of her life and actually sat helping to figure her son's way out of this mess I'll be the first to condemn her, but until that is proven I'm more likely to believe she herself has been the victim of the culture of abuse that led to her inability to act in these circumstances. Fear people is crippling even when to an outsider there appears no reason to be afraid. If you've not experienced it there is no way for anyone to explain to you why they couldn't act or "get out".

BuyJxn

Nov 4 2007