Jackson Free Press

"There's nothing anyone can do to save Jackson."

"I'm not voting anyway. It's too many of them."

"There's nothing to do in Jackson."

"If I want to go to a nice restaurant, I have to leave Jackson to do it."

While I do chuckle at these statements, I hear them often, and it is alarming, to say the least. So, when an election as crucial as this mayoral race happens, those of us who are fighting for Jackson daily (regardless of who sits in a public chair), tend to get a bit territorial and uneasy about statements like those above.

Let us spit the actual factual here.

The mayor is indeed the leader of this city's government system. Therefore, it is important that whoever takes the seat following Mayor Lumumba is equipped with non-conventional methods of thinking. Sure, he or she will have to possess a plan. That goes without saying.

We've heard plans before. We got on board with plans we thought would work. Plans don't do anything but take up good time in meetings. A plan without action is simply a conversation on paper.

Additionally, it's the camps behind these people who come up with these plans, in some cases. Therefore, the candidate becomes the front person, following the lead of a man/woman we don't see. Is that leadership?

These plans also seemingly just trickle down from one candidate to the next. They simply add something here and there and call it "my plan."

I'm not impressed by that. I'm interested in seeing something that hasn't been done before. I'm interested in seeing a plan that's outside the box. Everyone claims to want to see Jackson thrive and become a more suitable reflection of the Jackson of old, so then, how can we see that happen if we repeat the steps that didn't work previously. Is this not simply common sense?

Having said all of that, it's important that we elect someone who recognizes that it'll take knowledge, accessibility, planning, originality and transparency, but most importantly, it will take the people. There is nothing anyone can do in that office without the help of the constituents.

We have to show ownership for our hometown. We have to love it enough to hold our elected officials accountable. We have to demand the same diehard respect that our neighboring cities do.

We have to take a stand for ourselves. It does us very little good to send the right person into office and still take all our dollars outside Jackson. We have to understand that when we do that, we build up the other cities around us while suppressing the growth Jackson stands to explore.

We do a lot of yapping around here about what's wrong with Jackson. We allow others to do it. We teach it to our children as well. Look, Jackson is now and always will be about us. We are the ones who set the narrative. Yes, I hear all about how the media do that. Well, is anyone holding the media accountable for their reporting? Whose job is that?

We have to stop giving ground and begin to stand firm on our belief that Jackson will win. If we do that, and we vote for the person who unselfishly agrees, then together we can all see Jackson be great. That will never happen if our mindset continues to spew negativity about where we are.

It is some people's perception that life is so much better once you leave Jackson. Well, why do they keep coming back? Why do they work here and live somewhere else? If our city is so worthless and full of "thugs," then why is it so necessary to come here? It's necessary because all is not lost.

Sure, we have an opportunity now to set the course for a new Jackson by selecting a mayoral candidate who can help this city get there. But, I beg you; stop believing that any one person can do this, even the mayor. Please don't be fooled by that mentality. It has always taken a village, and no matter who wins the next term as mayor, it will be no different. No matter what the platform reads, it's simply an outline, an idea. It will take complete dedication and determination from the people of this city to see any plan work.

Every town that has turned itself around has done so with a strong head and a body of people who believed and put their feet to the ground to save their city. Jackson must do the same. Make a commitment to the city and to the next mayor, even if your choice doesn't win. That should not be hard if we all do it for Jackson.

Funmi "Queen" Franklin is a word lover, poet and advocate for sisterhood.