Jackson Free Press

After getting sucked into a couple different JFP conversations about the (over)reaction to recent Census numbers (the most recent one here), I've been thinking a lot about drama and the importance of precision in language over the last few weeks. The truth, as I have witnessed over the years, is that (a) too much drama blocks progress and (b) words really matter

On the drama front: I honestly believe that one of Jackson's biggest challenges is that so many people are prone to freak out about a large, complicated problem such as crime or white/economic flight without taking time to consider the *why*. You could argue that people are "fleeing" because of crime, but how does that help anything if you don't then stop and ask: Why is crime an issue? Why is there a high rate of crime? What kinds of crimes? How do you stop those crimes? Can police really "stop" crimes, or is that just an excuse that we use because we feel helpless about doing the real work of creating a community where fewer people actually commit crimes? The real question is: Are we willing to do/spend/volunteer/build/mentor/bolster and so on in order to lower our crime rates?

Since the JFP launched nearly a decade ago, we have periodically faced spates of sensationalism combined with high levels of personal attacks -- usually about halfway through city officials' terms and always pushed by the "local" corporate media who can't seem to put anything in a larger context to help people understand what is actually happening and perhaps help empower them to believe they can be part of solutions. So everyone starts pointing fingers, and the insults fly until the next city election passes, and then everyone calms down for a while.

This is not a healthy cycle, Jackson. It's kind of like running a business where everything is done at the last minute and people just spew drama because they didn't do what they needed to do all along to stay in a proactive, not reactive mode. (My company has been going through a procedure/planning overhaul to make us much more proactive, and we always have a low-drama policy that we don't violate too often).

The people who love drama never think it's a good thing when we say "why don't we all calm down a little and come up with solutions?" They just hurl childish insults at us because we won't climb on their bandwagon (which, incidentally, got Melton elected; nuff said on that). But those kinds of reactive people -- some of whom have good intentions; some don't -- cannot be allowed to drive our tone in the city if we expect to continue making progress (and to continue the slowing of flight that the last Census actually showed). City residents need to take a collective breath, roll up our sleeves and figure out a way to brainstorm intelligently and then share the solutions. We need to always think about what our next action should be, not point fingers every direction to find scapegoats for what we're not doing. That is simply counter-productive.

We're developing a model for community discussions now that are going to be different, or we hope and pray they will. We're going to try a procedure that gives everyone an equal voice and try to get away from the top-down panel "discussions" where "leaders" just tell everyone what to think, and then audience members try to stand up and make long speeches in response. These conversations will be open to anyone who wants to participate and, most importantly, they will result in lists of actions for individuals to commit to. This is basically the same procedure we are following in our offices right now, and are seeing exciting results from it. These are not the kinds of workshops where blame is going to dominate -- because the truth is that no one is perfect, none of us has done everything we can to help our city, and we're all busy and promise things we don't deliver. But if we can capture just 10 percent of the energy people use up complaining to put into positive, proactive actions to build on what we've already done in the last 10 years, the sky truly will be the limit for Jackson.

In some ways, this reminds me of the state flag debate. I watched it from a distance just before I moved back (in fact, it helped motivate me to). I don't agree with the tactics used to try to change the flag, and I believe people too often avoided getting real about why it was important to get rid of the symbol of segregation. However, I didn't come back to Mississippi to restart that debate. I came back to Mississippi to use my particular set of skills to join other people using theirs to help make my home state what she can be. We could waste all of our energy complaining about the state flag and what it symbolizes, or we can choose to take positive, deliberate actions to make our city and state better (and make it clear at the right time that the flag is in no way representative of who we are as a state). To me, that is being proactive, and it is the path we have chosen with our publications and our work in the community, not to mention our outreach to people and groups who don't agree with us or each other on every single thing.

So, Jackson residents, my call to action to all of you is to start thinking proactively. Do as we're doing at the JFP, and literally schedule your time wisely, including time each week to help the community become a more vibrant and safer place. Figure out a way that you can touch a young person and help steer them toward a better future and away from. If you open your mouth to complain or generalize about bad parents, you're too late to help that child or those parents. Instead, open your mouth to call a group like Operation Shoestring or the Boys & Girls Club or a community leader who is plugged into youth and say, "I have one hour a week to help. What can I do?"

The world is changed, folks, one action at a time. Please be proactive about Jackson's future and avoid the kinds of drama that will block our progress. We're in it together, friends.

Previous Commentsshow

Or, to paraphrase from Figment: What are YOU bringing to Jackson?

DonnaLadd

Mar 25 2011

Lorenzo, I would never argue for "censorship" of drama. The government has no place telling people what they can and cannot say. As for "influence, correct or change," I'll just be honest. I have observed that people (or media, etc.) who are prone to dramatic outbursts and finger-pointing seldom will alter those habits if no one speaks up and says, "calm your horses" or "consider a third way," etc. In work situations, you sometimes have to very directly in someone's face and say, "Calm down. This will work out." I've seen this happen so often in event planning, for instance. People wait, wait, wait until the last minute and then start wigging out. Or they wig out just because they like to wig out. It upsets the whole operation. In those instances, sometimes the only way to tamp the drama down is to get adamant about it. When I talk about tamping down drama, I am not talking about stopping conversations about methods and specifics that need to happen, even if everyone doesn't want to hear them. The truth is simply that Jackson is drama prone. We are still a small enough town/city that people make too many things personal. It has continually shocked me how many accomplished people in our city take it very personally when someone disagrees about something. But we can change this, if we have the will to recognize it and refocus on what matters. And ignore or talk to the people who try to drag us that direction. Many, of course, don't know they're doing it because it's the way things have transpired for so long in Jackson.

DonnaLadd

Mar 25 2011

Great post, Tom. I'm in a similar place. Other than occasional drive-by comments, I seldom get into the kinds of online discussions that I used to -- especially with people who are here just to argue. If I do get drawn into a conversation these, and even if I fully or in part disagree with the person I'm debating, it's exactly for the reasons you just stated, although I hadn't thought about it myself (you have a way of doing that): Arguing with people on the Internet is not on my list of priorities, and I'll generally only do that if (a) the discussion is really interesting to me, (b) the person is somebody I especially respect and/or especially consider persuadable, and (c) I'm in the right mood for it (or in a bad enough mood that I don't pay as much attention to (a) or (b) as I should). It's also why I never comment on sites other than my own, and then in an informational way with my full name attached. Life is too busy to waste time trolling for an argument. Also this seems apropos for today; just popped in my inbox: “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” -Gandhi I would respectfully suggest that we should consider Gandhi's words in those city v. suburbs conversations. Yes, defend the city against attacks, but there is no reason to fire insults back at the burbs. I've done that myself, and now I see the futility in it.

DonnaLadd

Mar 25 2011

I also realize that I promised two points in my post above and really only dealt with one of them. On the language precision point: We can completely have our hearts in the right place, but when we generalize about groups of people, then our message never will land right. For instance, any comments that the entire city administration is terrible; that older leaders are all out of touch; that all white people think one way and blacks think another; that JPS is all bad; that everyone is fleeing Jackson due to crime, that the suburbs suck, that the city sucks, etc., etc. We all should counter these kinds of generalizations and stereotypes. Many people who make them actually mean well, but their language is so inprecise as to be offensive. Thus, all we can hear are the generalizations and insults, which of course are not accurate about entire groups. We need to talk specifics. What does JPS or JPD need (to do) specifically? Make a list. Turn them actions. Assign someone to them. Pitch us stories about them. Volunteer to do something yourself. Don't always blame the other. It's on us, whether we accept the challenge or not. Elected officials are not elected saviors. Criticize individual people with specifics as needed, and reveal problems as you can (which is what the JFP has tried to do for a decade, even as we also tried to show respect and compassion even to a mayor as bad as Mr. Melton). We can do this, Jackson. ;-) I have more faith in humanity than you can imagine. And on that note, I have an idea. Click this link to participate in a different way to analyze a problem, using specifics rather than generalization.

DonnaLadd

Mar 25 2011

thanks for this encouraging post, donna. One of the things that I love about Jackson is the community's ability to get behind new projects, events and ideas. However, that said, I have spent a lot of time recently speaking to group made up primarily of the {broad generalization} Y Generation. Some of the questions and discussions are centered around where they see themselves moving and why. I've been following this up with having them list reasons why they don't want to stay in Jackson. It is my hope that these sorts of discussion can begin a revolution of this generation getting more involved in making Jackson the kind of place they WANT to live in. The problem, however, is that I find that often {people of all generations} often don't seem to want to be willing to roll up their sleeves and make it happen. I realize that I have probably made two opposite statements but I think we do truly have a dichotomy that exists in Jackson. A community that truly desires positive change, that wants to see Jackson become a better place and shows great support for new ideas and events at yet at the same time, seems to be plotting their move in search of a place that doesn't require as much "sleeve-rolling". It is never my intention to make broad generalizations or to seem negative in any way. I truly believe in the citizens of Jackson working together to improve the city of Jackson and I truly believe {even though I'm often laughed at} that it can happen in my lifetime. Further, I just wanted to say that I agree that it is about "specifics" - let's not simply hope for change; but let's make lists, goals and be willing to give some of our time to service. Everyone can do their part no matter how much "time" they can give. I know plenty of people across this wonderful city that can work with people to plug them into something that matches their availability and passions. Empowerment starts with citizens making these issues personal and finding their own unique and creative solutions, only then are we truly engaged in the process.

judah

Mar 25 2011

Further, I just wanted to say that I agree that it is about "specifics" - let's not simply hope for change; but let's make lists, goals and be willing to give some of our time to service. Amen, Judah. That's the mood I'm in. I'm sick of self-defeating generalities and finger-pointing -- as you can tell. ;-) And great posts by both you and Tyler. Tyler, you're really a welcome addition to the JFP online community. Thanks for joining us and being so forthright.

DonnaLadd

Mar 26 2011

Another thought: We all need to answer personal attacks with some variation of "Stop being part of the problem. Say something positive. Don't tear down; build up." And be careful if someone tells you you have to choose. Sure, we all should choose to fight the real common enemies. But being told to choose sides in a loud battle between the city and the suburbs is going to leave both sides conquered -- and young, dynamic people moving somewhere else completely. We can be urban warriors without tearing down everything around us. Let's work to bring them with us; not make them hate us. Remember the biblical lesson of the Judgement of Solomon. You don't have to choose one baby or the other. We must *all* work together to make the city stronger; that, in turn, will help our suburbs. So reject both the suburb bashing and the city bashing. We can be bigger than that, folks, regardless of where we live.

DonnaLadd

Mar 26 2011