News & Commentary

UPDATE: Rep. Bob Evans has agreed to pull this bill in a statement online. 

A group in Mississippi is proposing a ballot initiative that could discriminate against Mississippians with different religious beliefs as well as racial and ethnic minorities.

I was born in November 1965, a little over a year after my next oldest sister, Bettye. She was born in the middle of Freedom Summer. We grew up with our older siblings in Meridian, MS. 2505 ½ Fifth Street, within walking distance of our parents’ house, was the home of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) office opened by Michael Schwerner. The COFO office was the headquarters of the Freedom Summer operation in Lauderdale County.

We are a city, a state and a nation in mourning right now. We grieve for the all-too-soon passing of our visionary leader in Jackson, MS, Mayor Chokwe Lumumba.

Mississippi Legislators are once again playing politics with women’ lives and intruding into women’s private, medical decisions. Presuming that they know better than a woman and her doctor, legislators are considering a new ban on abortions after 20 weeks.

As Mississippians return to work and children return to school this Monday, they endeavor to keep New Year’s resolutions which include losing weight, reading more, saving money, etc. While all these resolutions are good and if kept are likely to put the person in a better circumstance regarding their health, intellect, and financial stance – I would like to add one more to your list which will make Mississippi a better place for all. This year resolve to treat every person you encounter with the same dignity and respect with which you want to be treated.