Jackson Free Press

Somewhere in the fight to stop Amendment 26 (Personhood), I went from just living in Mississippi, home of the entrenched conservative mindset to which I must surrender my hopes of progress and change, to understanding that this is MY Mississippi, home of diverse and often progressive souls longing for progress and change.

We, the progressives, have largely remained silent, as our leaders have lied to and about us under the banner of religion. We have, whether from the belief we could not effectively cause change in this state or some other incorrect assumption, allowed them to keep us in the relative dark ages, as we are last in so many crucial areas that affect women, children and families. And when we sit silent, not addressing the grievances we have with our government, we have allowed an atmosphere ripe for conservative extremism and theocratic rule, ripe for amendments like 26 (Personhood) to be introduced.

We had to work tirelessly to educate this state about birth control, reproductive health and women's rights because we failed to have these conversations beforehand, and we failed to be proactive and to tell our representatives what we all obviously agree (is) very important to us and our state.

It is with this in mind that I call for Gov.-elect Phil Bryant to apologize for his remarks that equated concerned Mississippi voters who rejected the Personhood amendment with Satan and evil, dark forces. I also put other government officials on notice: Mississippi is not your church. It is not a theocracy. If you treat it as such, we progressives will make every effort to make sure you do not have that opportunity after the next election.

—Al Harrist, Biloxi

Hat's Off, Mississippi
My compliments to Mississippi for so thoroughly rejecting the tyrannical and draconian objectives of the Right to Lifers to control human sexuality.
You not only got the nation's attention but, for the most part, their admiration and gratitude.

—H.G. Sawyer, Groton, Conn.