All results / Stories / Donna Ladd
7 Poverty Triggers
There is a reason that blaming the poor for their plight is useless, not to mention offensive. It’s usually not their fault, especially if they stay poor for long.
How Poverty Happens
It’s one thing to lose your job and suddenly face possible eviction if you don’t find a different one; it’s quite another to exist in a cycle of poverty surrounded …
Poverty in the Midst of Plenty
“Poverty in the Midst of Plenty is a paradox that must not go unchallenged in this country.” — John F. Kennedy
A Kinder, Gentler Union
Picking on food stamps has long been a way to gather votes from people who don't bother to pay attention to who is poor and why (call them the 47-percenters).
Weapons of Mass Destruction
The gun lobby has become too strong, too strident and a bit insane.
From Nothing to Something
When I moved back to Mississippi 12 years ago, it felt as if the majority of people I met, especially younger ones, constantly had one foot out the door in …
No Time to Fear
The grass isn’t greener, or safer, in another cow pasture or flood plain somebody wants to develop.
Mississippi’s Flag: A Blow at Civilization
The state flag tells the world that Mississippi hasn’t changed.
A Battle Worth Fighting
“A constant struggle, a ceaseless battle to bring success from inhospitable surroundings, is the price of all great achievements.” — Orison Swett Marden
The Devil Is In the Questions
I really don’t get hating people because they ask vital questions.
Green Space
If you want to see how differently various people approach the idea of planning for Jackson's future, listen to a discussion of parks and green space.
From Emmett to Trayvon
Crazies will always be there, and we will always have to deal with them. But when trigger-happy men shoot kids of color under cover of Stand Your Ground or Castle …
The Southern Strategy's Last Stand?
This entire arc of ugly is good for us all, ultimately.
The Contraception Wars
Most of you have surely heard by now that former presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is blaming his resounding loss on "gifts" that President Obama offered young voters, African Americans and …
Build an Army for Kids, Not Against Them
I was mortified, if not really surprised, to see some of the angry responses to R.L. Nave's excellent cover story last week about the killing of Quardious Thomas.
Mentoring: A Friend for Life
The word "mentor" is incredibly common these days—a good sign that more and more people understand the need to help young people, especially those unfortunate enough not to have a …
Digging up the Roots
When discussing the very difficult issue of violence, we find there are two types of people: those who don't care why criminals resort to violence, and those who get that …
Character: What Kids (Really) Need
The truth is that not all children have good parents, and giving birth or marrying a person of the opposite gender does not turn people into good parents. Not to …