Farish Gathering Touts Hope

I hate I missed this. Anyone attend? If so, what were some of the ideas discussed?

Hey Blackwatch,
I uploaded the audio file (see link above) you should be able to hear most of the presentation.

"I have rebuked the idea and the thought that because we are an over 80 percent African American city, that there is something wrong with the city of Jackson. ... "

I admit that I haven't heard the audio, but I'm just responding to this quote. What about those of us who feel there is something wrong with the city of Jackson, not due to its racial make-up, but because of the dysfunction on all levels of leadership and governance?

what was the attendance like? i would've loved to have known about this meeting.

They seem to have promoted it late, Blackwatch, but there is an audio there.

What about those of us who feel there is something wrong with the city of Jackson, not due to its racial make-up, but because of the dysfunction on all levels of leadership and governance?

That kind of blanket statement about "all levels of leadership" is mighty suspect, Krystal. Obviously, it is not true under this administration; it wasn't even true under Melton, although much closer than now. Sorry to say this, but that kind of statement just makes you sound partisan, or worse. Perhaps try to reframe into a specific example of a problem rather than a blanket indictment, and then we can have a conversation about it.

I agree, most generalizations should be dismissed. And I'm sorry to fall into that level of discourse, and I admit, I have a short period of Jackson history with which I am intimate, but in that time I have become very jaded. I often feel that ego is more important in this city than progress.

I'm also curious, Donna, what is your idea of "worse than partisan"? :)

That's easy, Krystal. There are worse ways than simply being "partisan" to come up with generalizations and stereotypes such as that one. I don't know your reasoning, but we will all know where that particular meme usually comes from. Of course, many people probably pick it up and pass it around without thinking about why it exists. Is that worse than "partisan," or simply the same thing? I'll leave that for others to ponder.

To your other post, certainly there are egos at play; there always are. But I will say that the worse example of ego I have witnessed in Jackson are all the people who got together and elected a completely inept mayor (Melton) -- apparently because he told all of them they could have whatever they wanted (which for some included curing crime in 90 days, others a big ole lake, still others perhaps a Brooklyn Bridge). Nice reason for electing a mayor, and l would say steeped in ego.

Oh and Krystal, I still suggest that you put specific issues on the table rather than continue to deal in generalizations. The current administration has weaknesses and strengths, and some of its strengths are recast as weaknesses by partisan opponents. So it could be helpful to get specific.

The forum was very well attended actually. I was pleasantly surprised. There were a couple of councilmen present. A Hinds County Supervisor, a sitting Judge, A JRA board member and several prominent activists in the room. A little disappointed that there weren't more young faces. But we have all pledged to continue the discussions. 2 hrs just doesn't cover it all.

If we can get more advance notice, we can probably turn out more young faces, Kaze. Pass it on to the organizers. This kind of thing needs to go in the calendars for a couple weeks in advance!