Jackson Free Press

It's frustrating. Those of us who preach progression, who practice tolerance, see it daily. Despite the Herculean efforts of most of us, we still have some among us who are not willing to embrace diversity.

The more I read, the more I listen, it seems those who reminisce for the days of old have become more vocal. Across party lines, across racial lines, across gender lines, some of those charged with being an example for my generation have let us down.

My mother grew up in Neshoba County—in Philadelphia to be exact. I spent summers in the place that seemed almost mythical to me from the stories she told me. Ironically, she never told me of the horrors that took place there. She never told me of the hate she experienced. Save for a few stories of bad experiences at Jackson State University before Lynch Street was blocked off, I never heard much of her encounters with racism. Those stories, the dark past of my mother's hometown, came later, after my own research. Perhaps she wanted to wait until I could process the information better. Perhaps she wanted me to learn on my own. Either way, it turns out that Neshoba County wasn't strictly about kids chunking rocks and picking wild plums off the tree.

This past week was the annual Neshoba County Fair. I like to call it "The Place Where Time Stands Still." It's hard for me to just dismiss it as a "Republican" event. I'd love to think it's just people looking for public officials who have the same political views or beliefs that they do. I'd love for it to be purely political. But, in form and content it reeks to me of a place where folks who long for the good old days like to go to be around like minds.

This is the place where Ronald Reagan launched his infamous southern strategy. It's the place where politicians throw caution to the wind and spout all the catch phrases they know will work with folks who liked Mississippi better when "folks knew their place." Where else can you tell folks how you really feel about those welfare mamas, illegal aliens and wretched poor people?

If you're like me, you're tired of the Internet cowards who spout tough from behind a keyboard, saying things they would never have the courage to say in public or directly to someone's face. But we must realize that they speak for a lot of folks who walk among us every day thinking these very same things.

The level of tolerance in this state, from folks of all races, seems to drop by the day, and it saddens me. I'm just venting, but when will some white citizens stop being afraid of black leadership? When will the ills of this state no longer be placed on the backs of black folks? When will black leadership stop playing the tit-for-tat game with white businessmen? And since it's this issue's cover story, when will some black folks stop thinking that Downtown Jackson Partners is the Illuminati, created to hold you down?

I can only hope my youngest daughter doesn't have to deal with this crap. I pray every day that when she becomes old enough to vote, she can visit the Neshoba County Fair and be among more than five black people. I hope she can make business or political decisions not based on "getting back at white folks."

Yes, the "old angry white men" have let me down, but the "old angry black men" have let me down, too.

Admittedly, I'm frustrated. They say those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Well, methinks there are many of us—black and white—who have learned nothing at all.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

164303

Comment

I taught my kids from a very young age that older black men and women deserve their respect and their behavior had better reflect it because these people grew up in a very unfair world. Everyone outside of that should be given the respect they earn. It bothers me when I read articles like this one in which the writer speaks the thoughts of others based solely on his own prejudices. How can you know that these people want to keep others "in their place"? Did they collectively tell you that was how they felt? Believe it or not it's not very hard to be branded a racist in this world if you're white. To simply complain of crime can get you that label. Or, if you go to the Neshoba County Fair then you are automatically there to get away from blacks and relive the good ole days. How can you pretend to speak for anyone? You begin this article with a self righteous mention of your "herculean efforts" to be tolerant. I didn't consider that to be a self righteous remark until I read your article which makes the assumption that no one visits unless they're longing for the good ole white days. I see no example of tolerance in this article but I see plenty of assumptions made about people you do not personally know who do not deserve to have an event they enjoy made out to be a klan meeting. Maybe you need to consider that some things aren't what they once were and there is a severe shortage of tolerance from blacks as well as whites. Am I wrong? Are you going to tell me that I read the article from the wrong perspective? Or will you just brand me as intolerant and racist because I defended those who you gave no opportunity to defend themselves. I've never been. I have no desire to go. It looks hot and boring to me but I'm not going to portray those who do go as racist. I know majority black events are laced with open arms of tolerance towards any whites who show up so there was no need for you to pick a like event and be fair about it. You know, I too hope one day my young sons can attend the Neshoba County Fair, maybe with your daughter, and feel secure in knowing they're not being portrayed as evil and white by some guy who knows nothing, absolutely nothing, of how they feel but writes an article destroying the validity of his own claim of tolerant. And just because someone has an opinion on the internet it doesn't mean they're hiding behind a keyboard.

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-08-06T05:11:53-06:00

ID

164305

Comment

I will say this Alex. Clearly you didn't read the entire column. Especially the last paragraph. As often happens, you've cherry picked parts of it to dissect. The column calls for tolerance on BOTH sides. Holding BOTH sides culpable. (Note: the angry white men/angry black men reference). Now if this column or the people it talks about does not apply to you. Then kudos. It clearly doesn't. But that does not dismiss the fact that there are some who do. It just is what it is. I apologize if that's not to your liking. I never said "all" I said some. To indict all would be irresponsible. Again, you don't fit that mindframe so my column isn't "about" yo u. Next, I didn't say "herculean efforts" to keep ME tolerant. I said the herculean eforts by myself and others to help our entire CITY embrace diversity. Even as we see/read folks everyday who don't. You can read CL comment forum to see that I don't have to "make up" the fact that we have a ways to go. This Hinds County Sherrifs race has shown some intolerance from Black folks too. And I for one have been embarrassed by some of the things I've read. All of it is crap. So in the end, it appears we are on the same page. indeed are

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2011-08-07T20:22:46-06:00

ID

164307

Comment

"This Hinds County Sherrifs race has shown some intolerance from Black folks too." Yep, and I was one of them too! lol!!! But in all seriousness, that was not my intention, to seem unreasonable or intolerant - however, it would take all day for me to explain myself in that regard and I don't want to hold this thread up. I just felt that Mr. Lewis' very grown son, could have presented better when standing next to his father, after being elected the 1st black sheriff of Hinds County Mississippi. But back to the Neshoba County fair, it is not a magnate for cultural diversity and thats my stand on this subject.

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-08-08T10:55:30-06:00

ID

164311

Comment

@Duan wasn't talking about THAT comment per se' that's more of a personal preference issue. I was referring to the "tit for tat" comments. White folks did this...so it's about time we did that kinda comments. Comments insinuating that if indeed there was some dirty dealings in the vote counting that it was white folks gettin their "come-up'ns" As far as Lewis' son. If He had a prob with his sons garb I'm pretty sure as a father he could handle it. Not for you or I to judge. Either way it's high time we get rid of this foolishness on both sides of the racial divide

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2011-08-08T12:35:35-06:00

ID

164312

Comment

@ 'kaze O.k. I got ya' In regards to your last comment: "Either way it's high time we get rid of this foolishness on both sides of the racial divide" I think the thing that bogs me down, is that there seems to be no happy medium - I think there is one in the works, but it truly isn't established as of this point. In that regard I mean a true working middle class neighborhood that is diverese and identifies strong within one political party. I think N.E. Jackson will be that destination for the metro area, but its still very divided politically.

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-08-08T12:44:56-06:00

ID

164318

Comment

Duan, When I think of diversity, I don't limit it to race. True diversity includes different races, ages, sexes (and sexual preferences), religious preferences AND political viewpoints. All of these aspects of the human experience should be included in whatever conversation we're having. Dissent is necessary for democracy to work. So is tolerance.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2011-08-08T17:24:32-06:00

ID

164320

Comment

What I have learned was from CNN last night (Aug. 8, 2011) when an anchor reported the HATE CRIME committed here in Jackson by a young white guy from Rankin County. Distric Attorney, Robert Schuler Smith was interviewed as they showed film footage of the actual crime. "It was AWFUL!!! Where is Judge Shamsudeen? He is the Judge who set the hate-filled youth's bond at $50,000 and he was released. When a few people started raising hell about blatent dispairites between black and white criminals, that bond was terminated: Another bond of almost a million was issued and the man was sent back to jail. Where were our gate-keepers? How could CNN come to town and give our citizens a story that should have been told by Jackson. At best, this sounds disingenuous and I am outraged! The things we learned last night were a reminder of not how far we have come, but, how far we have to go. These are the events that fan the flames, scrape the scalps off and ignite the angry, painful bleeding.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-08-08T19:46:32-06:00

ID

164321

Comment

There were two girls in the truck with the man who committed the HATE CRIME. (Beating a black man and killing him by running his truck over him). Can anyone say, ACCESSORY TO THE CRIME? AIN'T nothing WRONG, but, something AIN'T RIGHT.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-08-08T20:06:05-06:00

ID

164322

Comment

@ Ronni - I think you misinterpreted my point, when I said "identifies strong within one political party" When I said that, our (Mississippi) politics are race-based, black/democrat, white/republic. It's not like South Jackson, avg. median family income is $$$$$$, blue-collar, neighborhood, union-supported, democrat-stronghold It's recognized as, per say, a black constituency - democrat stronghold. You take an area of Pearl, with the same avg. income - as per say of the people in south jackson - it's white constituency, republican stronghold. We have race based politics and people are afraid to call it like it is. So I wish, we could get to the point, where political affiliation in Mississippi isn't strictly on race. I've debated this issue with blacks and whites of all income levels and political affiliations and there is no true happy medium, in that regard. Wish I could have clarified that a little better.

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-08-09T07:27:20-06:00

ID

164323

Comment

Justjess, *we* should have told this story already, and we're going to make up for the fact that we didn't. I'll admit: I had not read the details of the case to realize that it was likely a hate crime, and my team missed it. And the DA hasn't told us about a press conference in years. As for the judge and the $50,000 bond, that might have made sense at the time under the law, but I don't know for sure. From early media reports, it looks like they thought at first that it wasn't the same crime that it turned out to be. But we'll get back to you on that. I, too, am curious about the young women and other teens. *Anybody* with information on these folks or their families, background, etc., should email [email protected]; she's now on the story.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-08-09T08:17:21-06:00

ID

164329

Comment

Thanks Donna; however, I was speaking more specificially to TV media and daily reporting from the CL. The JFP would be the last paper I would accuse of hiding the facts of a case and chosing not to report a stroy such as this. I will stay tuned for your assessment and report. Thanks again for all of the informative stories that you have given to readers across the years.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-08-09T11:05:47-06:00

ID

164330

Comment

I know, justjess. I'm just kicking myself because we missed what was really going on there. We would have been all over like white on rice, pardon the expression. (Blame the elections and an overworked, if remarkable, news staff.) What's awful to me is that it took CNN to come in and call it what it (likely) is. That doesn't look good. We'll make up for it, though.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-08-09T12:08:47-06:00

ID

164340

Comment

Folks, District Attorney Robert Smith will be on Direct Line tonight at 7pm on comcast 14. He will have more info on the case and you'll have a chance to call in LIVE 601 914 0064 or tweet us @directlinetv23

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2011-08-09T15:30:25-06:00

ID

164348

Comment

Well, Kaze, I thought this was a pretty even and fair column. You got jumped on like you're Barack Obama. I'm hearing now that Barack is considering being silent the rest of the term in order to see what Coulter, Rust, Sarah, Backman, Hannity, the tea party and gop and them will say about him then. I already know what they will say. They will say he's now death and dumb.

Author

Walt

Date

2011-08-09T17:25:22-06:00

ID

164360

Comment

Justjess, *we* should have told this story already, and we're going to make up for the fact that we didn't. I'll admit: I had not read the details of the case to realize that it was likely a hate crime, and my team missed it. And the DA hasn't told us about a press conference in years.<----- DLadd Donna,Kudos for this statement. I will admit that like Justjess, i was dumbfounded by the fact that this was not reported. It seemed like it took CNN to come here to add some flame to the fire in order for our local media to even find this report-worthy. CL did a story but it was.........um.........ClarionLedger-like and thus, did not give much insight into what this case actually was. I expected to read more about it from JFP and was disappointed that I didn't. However, I am sure that whatever is to follow from you all will be worthwhile. You know that some of us look to JFP for "THE REAL DEAL". RESPECT!

Author

Queen601

Date

2011-08-10T07:58:51-06:00

ID

164363

Comment

No problem, Queen. I will say, folks, that with our tiny-staff-that-could, it helps when y'all tell us about stuff you think we're missing, like this story. We need your eyes and ears!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-08-10T09:17:47-06:00

ID

164366

Comment

Contrary to what you guys are saying, I read all of the CL stories and it was pretty specific from the get go of it being racially-charged. They did not use the words "hate crime" but they identified the youth as stating they were "going to f--k with a n---" pretty early on. I admit, it was "CL style" reporting but I'm gonna jump on the horse while its down and go ahead and slap y'alls hands as well. http://beta.clarionledger.com/article/20110719/NEWS/107190328/1001/newsfrnt/Revenge-cited-as-motive-in-hit-and-run-death July 19th "Racially motivated killing". Specifically, it took about six weeks for CNN to pick it up as a national story. There was at least one story a week out in some form of media until then. I know this. I read a LOT of news (don't watch it! as I learned yesterday). Previous links to other CL stories concerning it wouldn't show up. There were more in the beginning as they were trying to figure out who instigated the entire thing, Dedmond or Rice.

Author

Lori G

Date

2011-08-10T11:50:27-06:00

ID

164371

Comment

Don't need a hand slapping Lori, as I stated, it did not give much insight into what the case actually was. I learned MUCH more about the case from CNN than all the stories the CL did put together. The CL story was vague whether they called it a hate crime or not. As a matter of fact the second guy who turned out to be the murderer was mentioned minimally. Saying that it was because they couldn't determine who was at fault doesn't sit well with me considering the fact that so much concentration was given to Rice (in the beginning). There was a freaking video of the incident, why was it ever a question who did the actual running over of Anderson? It's neither here nor there for me at this point. I still think that CNN came in and did a better, more thorough, report of the incident than what was reported by local media. I read a LOT of news too!

Author

Queen601

Date

2011-08-10T15:25:57-06:00

ID

164411

Comment

I hope that Robert S. Smith, Distric Attorney, will not in any way prejudice this case in any way to cause a mistrial. Walt and other legal minds, is there reason for this kind of concern? Just asking.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-08-11T20:44:59-06:00

ID

164429

Comment

Kamikaze.. I did not cherry pick the column as you said but rather I commented on the part of it that I felt made unfair assumptions about people. I frankly felt the last paragraph was more of an obligatory statement inserted only to be used to refute someone like myself by being able to point it out. One sentence does not a fair column make in my opinion. Now had you taken one of the numerous black sponsered events in our state and made collective assumptions about how everyone there felt about white people then I would have been less likely to comment. Devisiveness sells papers, as does anger and frustration. Being a huge fan of capitalism I understand the need to make a profit and being contraversial helps sell papers also. I don't mean to imply your article was divisive but it did make unfair assumptions in my opinion be it right or wrong. I've read alot of what you've written and will say you appear to be much more responsible and fair than most of what I read in this state. Being one who believes in pointing out the good as well as the bad I do want to say I think you are a good writer even if I disagree with you occasionally. And yes we are on the same page but the age old differences exist that keep us from reading it from the same book. It's only natural to defend one's race or religion or heritage because no one wants to be the bad guy and therein lies the problem that has lead me to believe we may have passed the point of no return. You mention white people being scared of black leadership as your viewpoint. I see that as someone white disagreeing with the policies of someone black and the implication is they are racist because they fear the elected black official. Could it be that they just disagree? The same people you speak of probably don't think much of many white politicians but you don't accuse them of being afraid of sectional leadership. While those statements may be normal to you they're somewhat bothersome to me. Especially when Mississippi has more elected black leaders than any other state. But anyway, I'm sure my point is lost and I know from past experience I am in the definite minority in my views here. I just wanted to point out something that maybe you haven't thought about without it being an argument. The fact that we are on the same page is at least a start

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-08-12T00:10:25-06:00