Mississippi
There’s Obvious Racism Within the Mississippi Legislature
This has been defined lots of of instances I’m positive, however in gentle of the present combat to keep away from a state takeover in Jackson this legislative session, it bears repeating: Black individuals can’t be systemically racist.
We will be “prejudiced.” We will be “biased.” We are able to certainly discriminate in opposition to somebody. However we wouldn’t have the historic, political or monetary infrastructure to be systemically, structurally or institutionally “racist.” Particularly if we’re speaking about a spot like Mississippi.
I do know a number of Mississippi’s “patriots” obtained collectively at their final assembly and obtained the directive to start out recreating narratives with code phrases. You already know, like how they’ve turned “woke” into an insult. However calling Black people “racist” as a result of we’re calling out the apparent racism that’s presently stinking up the Capital is nothing greater than low-cost parlor methods.
See, though Mississippi has the most important Black inhabitants of any state within the nation, white Republicans—starting from average to full-on racist—nonetheless run the Legislature. They maintain a 77-42 majority within the Home and a 36-16 majority within the Senate. That majority is principally in a position to push no matter tripe via they want or kill no matter invoice they want.
Throughout this session, the apparent goal is Jackson and its Black management.
Payments Designed to Undermine Black Management
Systemic racism happens when one group is ready to power their will on one other via the passing of laws, legal guidelines, or practices that type the system of particularly concentrating on and oppressing a gaggle of individuals. For instance: redlining, gentrification, gerrymandering, redistricting, and so forth. How is that this working proper now in Mississippi? Glad you requested.
Jackson, Miss., is an 82.8% Black metropolis. It has a Black mayor and a majority-Black metropolis council. All our county supervisors are Black. It’s additionally the capital metropolis, the place legislators need to spend half their 12 months in session. Lots of them are by no means glad that Black people run Mississippi’s capital. It’s a lot too beneficial and has beneficial chips (i.e. the airport, Jackson State College, UMMC Medical Faculty).
Now, you received’t get any of them to confess this on the report, but it surely doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine this out. They will even inform you that this has nothing to do with the “coloration of the mayor’s pores and skin” however together with his “incompetence.” Which I all the time discovered hilarious contemplating that the state of Mississippi has probably the most poorly run governments within the nation.
For years, the state has watched us cope with 100-year-old water pipes, dilapidated college buildings, a shrinking police power and a shrinking tax base. An enormous chunk of that base was white people who fled from town prefer it was on hearth in 1997 when Jackson elected its first Black mayor, Harvey Johnson, which added to the white disinvestment that blew up after pressured college integration in early 1970.
Each ask, each request and each plan (former Mayor Tony Yarber offered the Legislature with one plan in 2015) was met with a “NO.” The benign neglect has gone on for years. Lastly the present Lumumba administration, realizing that Jacksonians have been being left for useless, went out and secured $600 million in federal funds and $195 million from different funding sources to assist repair town’s water woes.
Systemic racism is the state Legislature introducing new payments designed to undermine the Black management of their very own capital metropolis and attempting to usurp energy away from them. David Parker’s Senate Invoice 2889 appears to divert the monies Congress authorised exterior Jackson and put a regional board accountable for our water and sewer programs. That invoice is headed to the Home.
Home Invoice 1168, authored by Rep. Trey Lamar of North Mississippi, would require funds from the 1% Gross sales Tax Fee to solely be spent on water and sewer, excluding roads and bridges.
Then there’s probably the most egregious of all of them, Home Invoice 1020, which Lamar additionally authored. In layman phrases, the preliminary invoice appears to carve out a “metropolis inside a metropolis” that might have its personal separate police power, judges and court docket system. The issue right here is the Capital Complicated Enchancment District that this invoice was created for is the realm of town with the least crime. Mockingly, it’s additionally the space of town the place nearly all of white residents dwell.
Then, on Feb. 23, 2023, the Mississippi Senate Judiciary A Committee handed the new model of Home Invoice 1020, importing language from Senate Invoice 2343, which seeks to ascertain a brand new court docket system in Hinds County with unelected judges and prosecutors in an expanded CCID, giving the Capital Police jurisdiction over your complete capital metropolis. It additionally calls for that Mississippi Commissioner for Public Security Sean Tindell and the Metropolis of Jackson should comply with a memorandum of understanding by July 1. The latest incarnation of the invoice by the way now has help from a lot of the Jackson Metropolis Council. An indication that this invoice may very well get pushed via.
Coincidence? I believe not!
Each West and South Jackson have seen spikes in crime for almost six years. I used to be current at a few of these city corridor conferences the place residents have been pleading with JPD for some help. However as an alternative of crafting laws to go to the place statistics present it’s most wanted, as an alternative of giving JPD the funds to beef up their numbers, these legislators carve out an enclave in Northeast Jackson to higher defend the oldsters in Fondren, Belhaven and Eastover. Why? Once more—racism!
We’ve simply obtained to start out calling it like it’s. And we’d all be higher off if legislators simply admitted their racism and moved on. The humorous factor about all of that is, these white, Republican, right-wingnuts are calling Black people in Jackson who oppose these payments “racist,” saying that “the Blacks don’t need assist” as a result of we’re not summarily rolling over and accepting this tried takeover of our metropolis.
What occurred to negotiating? What occurred to colleagues coming to a compromise? What occurred to incomes mutual respect?
‘All Assist Isn’t Good Assist’
Hear, I do know a number of people don’t like Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. A number of it’s simply private animus. He’s too light-skinned, appears like Drake, he’s too younger, he’s a socialist, communist, Black radical, and so forth. All issues being equal, Lumumba and his administration do bear some culpability in all of this. However probably the most harm being finished to Jackson, presumably irreparable harm, is the Legislature’s marketing campaign this session clearly has in opposition to Black management. They’re attempting to neuter our management and take voting energy out of our palms. Which isn’t solely unconstitutional, it’s unlawful.
We’ve obtained to start out giving a rattling about these state Home and Senate races. The majority of what impacts Black people on this state comes from that physique. And but on a regular basis I hear people saying “the mayor” this or “the mayor” that. No, the foundation of this drawback begins rotting on the state degree. It’s a a lot greater image, and it’s enjoying out in entrance of us proper now.
Strive as you may, however this “I do know you might be however what am I” playground foolishness of attempting to label Black individuals as “racist” isn’t fooling anybody anymore. We all know that you simply don’t like that Black persons are working the capital metropolis (no less than not the type of Black individuals you like) and we all know you’re useless set on altering that by no matter means, legislative or in any other case, you possibly can.
All “assist” isn’t good assist, particularly long-term. When you’ve finished your analysis, you’ll know that’s why we’ve obtained miles of State Road that Jacksonians now has to keep up, and dozens of non-taxed state buildings in downtown Jackson proving that time.
This MFP Voices essay doesn’t essentially signify the views of the Mississippi Journalism and Training Group, the Mississippi Free Press, its workers or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices part, ship as much as 1,200 phrases and sources fact-checking the included info to [email protected] We welcome all kinds of viewpoints.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State debuted 41 new players against Eastern Kentucky, including 23 transfers. But one of the biggest transfer portal additions wasn’t on the field and may not be again this week.
Senior receiver Kelly Akharaiyi was left off Mississippi State’s depth chart that was released and coach Jeff Lebby didn’t provide much clarity on the situation either.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Lebby said at Tuesday morning press conference. “We need to be patient with him. We hope he has a good week and can create some confidence for himself more than anything. But I’m not ready to say he’s going to be available.”
Akharaiyi was one of the transfers most were looking forward to seeing in Lebby’s fast-paced, passing offense. But he was held out of season-opener for what was thought to be a minor injury. However, his uncertain status might be a sign of a more serious injury?
Or is Lebby playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham? We’ll found out soon enough.
QB1 – 2 Blake Shapen, 6-1, 210 lbs., Sr.
QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr.
or – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
RB1 – 24 Keyvone Lee, 6-0, 225 lbs., Sr.
-or- 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
RB2 – 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
SLWR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
SLWR2 – 8 Creed Whittemore, 5-11, 185 lbs., So.
SLWR 3 – 80 Kade Kolka, 5-11, 190 lbs., Sr.
WR1 – 6 Jordan Mosley, 6-0, 195 lbs., Jr.
WR2 – 5 Stonka Burnside, 6-0, 200 lbs., Fr.
WR3 – 13 Sanfrisco Magee, 6-2, 200 lbs., Fr.
WR1 – 14 Trent Hudson 6-3 180 Jr.
WR2 – 7 Mario Craver 5-10 170 Fr.
WR3 – 11 Jaden Walley 6-0 190 Sr.
TE1 – 18 Seydou Traore, 6-4, 235 lbs., R-Jr.
– or – 84 Justin Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., Sr.
TE2 – 86 Nick Lauderdale, 6-3, 225 lbs., Sr.
or – 10 Cameron Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., So.
LT1 – 66 Makylan Pounders, 6-5, 310 lbs., Jr.
LT2 – 51 Luke Work, 6-6, 305 lbs., Fr.
– or – 74 Jimothy Lewis Jr., 6-6, 310 lbs., Fr.
LG1 – 75 Jacoby Jackson, 6-6, 320 lbs., Jr.
LG2 – 53 Malik Ellis, 6-5, 285 lbs., So.
C1 – 67 Ethan Miner, 6-2, 305 lbs., Sr.
C2 – 72 Canon Boone, 6-4, 315 lbs., Jr.
RG1 – 77 Marlon Martinez, 6-5, 320 lbs., Sr.
RG2 – 52 Grant Jackson, 6-6, 325 lbs., Sr.
RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr.
RT2 – 55 Leon Bell, 6-8, 325 lbs., R-Jr.
RT3 – 78 Amari Smith, 6-7, 325 lbs., R-Fr.
DT1 – 22 Kedrick Bingley-Jones, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr.
– or – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr.
DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.
DT1 – 35 Kalvin Dinkins, 6-2, 315 lbs., So.
– or – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr.
DT2 – 92 Eric Taylor, 6-4, 310 lbs., Jr.
– or – 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.
DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr.
DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr.
– or – 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.
JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr.
– or – 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr.
JLB2 – 36 Donterry Russell, 6-4, 225 lbs., So.
MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.
DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
– or – 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr.
DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.
FS1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So.
FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.
SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr.
SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr.
– or – 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.
CB1 – 1 Kelley Jones, 6-4, 195 lbs., R-Fr.
– or – 6 Traveon Wright, 6-0, 180 lbs., R-Fr.
CB2 – 13 Raydarious Jones, 6-2, 180 lbs., Sr.
– or – 18 Khamauri Rogers, 6-0, 180 lbs., So.
CB1 – 14 Brice Pollock, 6-1, 190 lbs., So.
CB2 – 4 DeAgo Brumfield, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.
K1 – 80 Kyle Ferrie, 6-1, 205 lbs., So.
K2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
K3 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.
P1 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
P2 – 83 Zach Haynes, 6-1, 195 lbs., Sr.
P3 – 88 Ethan Pulliam, 6-1, 190 lbs., R-Fr.
KO1 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.
KO2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.
PR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
PR2 – 8 Creed Whittemore, 5-11, 185 lbs., So.
KR1 – 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
– or – 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
– or – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.
Mississippi State at Arizona State: How to Watch Bulldogs Football vs the Sun Devils
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Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 6 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona State and Mississippi State both had dominant wins in the season-opening weekend and now have a tougher challenge when they face each other on Saturday night. The Sun Devils are trying to build off an impressive 48-7 win over Wyoming and prove they might be a factor in the Big 12 race. Arizona State has never beaten an SEC opponent. Mississippi State plays its second game under new coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs beat Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in their season opener..
KEY MATCHUP
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen vs. the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the second play of their opener when Zyrus Fiaseu picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone. It was one of two interceptions on the day for Arizona State. Shapen had a great debut against Eastern Kentucky but will face a much tougher defense on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: Shapen had a terrific first game with the Bulldogs, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 44 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. The 6-foot-1 senior played the previous three college seasons at Baylor with mixed success. Shapen has thrown a TD pass in 12 consecutive games dating to this time at Baylor in 2022.
Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo led a balanced rushing attack against Wyoming, gaining 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. Skattebo was a do-it-all player for Arizona State last year, spending time at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Sun Devils might not need him to be as versatile this season, but he’s still a threat from just about anywhere on the field.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi State had six different players score touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. … The Bulldogs’ 93.7 passing grade in the opener was the second-best mark in all of the FBS, trailing only Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. … Mississippi State’s Kevin Coleman Jr. returned five punts for 117 yards last week. … Arizona State was credited with just two missed tackles on defense in the opener, tied for the third-lowest tally among FBS schools. … Skattebo is 270 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career. He is 342 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 and 202 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000.
___
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is preparing to play a team that, at least through one game, looks vastly improved from last season.
Coach Jeff Lebby admitted on Monday, and Bulldog players have noticed it too after Arizona State (1-0) thumped Wyoming 48-7 in its opener.
MSU (1-0) must also factor in the late kickoff that is scheduled Saturday (9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mississippi is hot, but so is Arizona — a different kind of hot, too.
Modifications and remedies are being made, such as the team leaving Starkville on Thursday instead of how it normally would on a Friday for a Saturday game.
“For our guys, just knowing exactly what we are getting into,” Lebby said. “We continue to talk about that through yesterday and this morning and (are) having those conversations to understand what it’s going to look like late in the week. We got to do a great job from a preparation standpoint of how we are hydrating, how we are eating and how we are resting to give us the ability to go on the road on this flight and be able to be at our best Saturday night.”
Just this week, Phoenix broke a record with its 100th straight day of 100-degree temperatures. According to AccuWeather, the high on Saturday in Tempe will be 107 degrees with a low of 86. The temperature should dip to around 91 near kickoff with a humidity of 24%.
“Coach Lebby has already been harping on that,” tight end Justin Ball said. “We’ve already been hydrating and making sure we are getting rest every single day. We leave on Thursday, so we already talked about the plan to make sure we are hydrating the entire plane ride there, making sure when we get there we get acclimated as quickly as you can and just staying together. Making sure we’re focused, make sure we keep the goal first and then execute the game plan.”
MORE: Jeff Lebby says Mississippi State football didn’t put on a good enough show. Here’s how he’s wrong
Mississippi State played well the last time it played in Arizona
The Bulldogs played Arizona in Tucson two seasons ago. They squandered a pedestrian Wildcats team 39-17. Kickoff for that game was at 8 p.m. PST though the temperature was 84 degrees at game time.
Not many players remain on Mississippi State’s roster from that 2022 season. But the ones who are, like linebacker Nic Mitchell, can benefit from the experience and also share it with teammates.
“We know it’s going to be a long flight, so we know we got to be hydrated,” Mitchell said. “It gives people experience that have done it before and they can tell the young guys how it’s going to be in the flight, how you got to hydrate and stuff like that.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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