Jackson Free Press

Forty-five years ago, Medgar Evers became one of the first in a long line of modern civil rights martyrs whose lives were sacrificed for a better and freer Mississippi. June 12 marked the anniversary of his death.

A coward's bullet ended his life at the age of 38, but brother Medgar's legacy lives on, if only in the memories and efforts of a faithful few. Though he never received the notoriety of Dr. King and Malcolm X, this native son's simple yet brave idea that Mississippi could be a better place must never be forgotten.

We tend to build monuments to commemorate men like Medgar, but we, the living, honor such noble souls when we commit our lives to their movements for freedom and empowerment. Though monuments are beautiful symbols of gratitude, movements actually perpetuate their hope-filled ideas after they're gone.

Medgar once said, "You can kill a man but you can't kill an idea." His was the persistent idea that God's gifts should be shared with all Mississippians—regardless of their race, gender or class. That same idea must continue to inspire us.

I, like the slain civil rights activist, believe in Mississippi, and I am grateful for the progress that has been made since the peculiar days of Jim Crow. But I also understand that there is more work to be done. We therefore need women and men who believe in Medgar's idea and to be the change we seek in our world.

This Mississippi martyr gave his life so that generations to come would be able to live in a better state. May today's leaders understand and appreciate his legacy of struggle and sacrifice, and endeavor to carry on his work for generations to come. Medgar, along with a great cloud of witnesses whose names will never be documented in history, will cheer us on to final victory.

Minister CJ Rhodes
The Divinity School at Duke University
Durham, N.C., by way of Jackson

Caring For the Kids
I just wanted to know who to contact about the mayor's plans for young people. The city should be so happy to have someone in office that cares for these kids. Everything he tries to do, people don't like it. They are the ones that need to get out of office.

These are the future adults. The city needs to spend the money on them, instead of having to put them in jail later. What is wrong with Jackson? I grew up there, and we turned out pretty good. I'm now 60 years old and never got into things—nor did my classmates at Forest Hill High School—like the kids are doing now. Our small town is lucky to have someone that cares. Our kids have nothing. What are they suppose to do? We have nothing to offer them.

We use to go Jackson to shop and have a little fun, but now we don't even offer that. But we have the boats (casinos) for the big people to waste their money on. That's why so many young adults are getting out of Mississippi.

I raised four boys and got a bunch of grandchildren. The boys turned out pretty good, but I worry about losing all the other children to this kind of life we have around us right now. Wake up Jackson; let's give our kids something to look forward to.

Thanks for letting me sound off and please pray for our country. They have forgotten about us.

Tommie Shows
Mendenhall