www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 34 JUNE 14 - 20, 2018 50¢ "You can kill ‘Remembering Medgar Evers’ a man but July 2, 1925 - June, 12, 1963 you can't kill an idea." Black voters must Celebrating the life of civil rights hold all politicians accountable activist and icon Medgar Evers By Jeffrey L. Boney NNPA Newswire Contributor By Cianna Hope Reeves JSU Student Intern It’s that time again. It occurs ev- ery year around the same time like As news began to spread rapidly clockwork. It’s election season. about the assassination of Medgar Political signs infiltrate black Wiley Evers, a prolific and profound neighborhoods, placed by cam- civil rights leader in Mississippi, paign operatives hoping you re- June 12, 1963, the black community member their respective political was brought to its knees. The devas- candidate come election time. More importantly, tation would have a lasting impact. these political operatives are hoping your familiar- Because of Evers’ unforgettable ity with their respective candidate will drive you fight to attain justice, his legacy still to the polls with the belief that their efforts will lingers more than five decades later. translate into votes for them at the ballot box. Fifty-five years to the date of his Establishing familiarity is quite an effective death, citizens across the state of tool, especially when it comes to creating a sense Mississippi gathered to commemo- of connection with people. Now be honest. If con- rate and reflect on the heritage of necting with people through establishing a sense of Evers in Jackson at the recently familiarity weren’t so effective, why would radio opened Civil Rights Museum. stations play the same song over and over again, or The program included special and why would major companies spend an inordinate memorable performances by MAD- amount of money to consistently and strategically DRAMA Performance Troupe, sing- Speakers recall experiences with Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers. (L to R) Grace Sweet, Hezekiah Watkins, Joan Trump- ers DeAnna Tisdale Johnson and auer Mulholland, Murlene Terry Taylor, Dr. Robert Smith and Rev. Ed King. PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON COMMENTARY Pam Confer, spoken word poetry by Leigh McInnis, and ended with us whether we knew him personally, Moderator Michael Vinson Wil- understood and what people under- advertise their product or service to consumers on a panel discussion of Evers’ former whether we worked with him, broke liams, who is also the author of the stand today, and that’s what I want a regular basis? colleagues and acquaintances who bread with him or just honored him book, Medgar Evers: Mississippi people to realize,” said Williams. Seeking to connect with people by establishing reflected on past encounters with the – that is my daddy, Medgar Wiley Martyr and director of the African To better understand his human- a sense of familiarity is one of the first things any legend. Evers,” expressed Evers-Everette. American Studies program at the ity and his dedication to advocate campaign team tries to do to help get their respec- Evers’ daughter, Reena Evers-Ev- As she continues sharing the lega- University of Texas El Paso, said for the equality of others, those who tive candidate elected. erette, recalled the influence her fa- cy of her father, Evers-Everette said it is pivotal that individuals are ex- knew and worked with him, offered Have you ever noticed that during every elec- ther had on many others and shared she is amazed by those who have posed to the works of Evers. insight to those in attendance as a tion season, radio ads become more frequent, print her personal experience of him as a worked to transform Mississippi just “Medgar Wiley Evers dedicated means to become closer to a man mailers get sent out in bulk quantities and televi- father and the indelible impact he as he strived to do. his life to fight for the right and priv- who fought daily for freedom not sion ads get placed on any given network during had on her and the entire family. “Each and every day I am awed ileges of the least served by society, just for his family but all families key television shows in an effort to try and reach “We are here celebrating a per- by him. Each and every day, I am and he chose to carry that fight out struggling to live in a racially di- registered voters? son that is so dear to me because awed by the warriors in this state, here in Mississippi. He actually felt Politicians have long been staples in our com- his blood runs through my blood. A some we know about and others we and internalized civil rights activism Medgar Evers munity. person that has touched so many of learn about,” she proclaimed. more than many people at that time Continued on page 3 Many of them visit a church here, walk the block and knock on doors over there; kiss babies, shake hands and even give the black community “stuff” to get them to come out to the polls and vote. It is fascinating the way some political candidates Federal judge holds annual scurry around during election season trying to so- licit the black vote so that they can get elected to a certain office or retain their current seat. It’s an art. Many of these campaign operatives and elected of- Court Watch program for Jackson youth ficials have it down to a science. However, when it comes to developing key, By Cianna Hope Reeves solid policies that will help the black community, JSU Student Intern many of these same candidates disappear – never In a city of heightened crimes, to be heard from again – until the next election high school drop-outs, and a lack of cycle rolls around. Interestingly, many of these mentorship in the community, one elected officials get a pass for doing nothing. judge has committed his time to en- Now, if members of the black community would gage students by welcoming young- be completely honest, they would admit that a lot sters into his world. of these elected officials are often treated like high- Students from Jackson Public profile celebrities, rather than public servants who Schools’ J.R.O.T.C. program and have the power to advocate for substantive policies other high school students around that can literally change the economic landscape the metropolitan area participated in and quality of life of their communities. the 18th annual Court Watch Semi- One act of familiarity that has been a go-to- nar held by United States District approach to reach the black community has been Judge Henry T. Wingate at Jack- the tactic of political candidates using certain gim- son’s Federal Courthouse Building micks to solicit votes. from June 4-9. You know what I’m talking about: offering the Throughout the six-day session, black community chicken dinners, BBQ cookouts, students observed court proceedings fish plates, steak days, gift cards, air conditioners and listened to professionals within for senior citizens, etc. Many of these politically- the court and law system such as Judge Henry T. Wingate and DEA Special Agent Brooks Benson and speak to Jackson Public Schools’ JROTC about motivated gimmicks are being used right now to United States Attorneys, Special the importance of abstaining from drugs and alcohol. PHOTOS BY CIANNA HOPE REEVES get black people to vote for a particular candidate. Agents of DEA, the Federal Bureau You know the routine. Black voters get out to of Investigation and Secret Service. Prisons and more. “When I set the program up, the said Wingate. vote, then there is very little reciprocity from many Students also obtained knowledge Wingate said his motive for start- purpose was to expose young peo- During Friday’s session, high of the candidates towards the black community, if about financial literacy, learned the ing the program was to show youth ple to all careers, not just to say you schoolers received lectures on the they are elected. importance of higher education, the plethora of career opportunities want to be in the criminal justice importance of not submitting to peer Think about it for a moment and ask yourself toured the Yazoo City Federal Cor- and educate them about laws in or- system as a defendant, but that you rectional Institution and spoke with der to become effective citizens in also want to have an idea of how the Court Watch Voters the staff of the Federal Bureau of society. justice system works as a citizen,” Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Share this issue with a friend by mailing it to: JUNE 17, 2018 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK JUNE 14 - 20, 2018 www.mississippilink.com CEO Carol Burger celebrates decades of service By Cianna Hope Reeves JSU Student Intern After serving the local community for 34 years, Carol Burger is stepping out of her position as chief executive of- fi cer and president of United Way of the Capital Area and into a new chapter of her life. To celebrate her acclaimed reign, United Way Board of Trustees held a retirement bash to honor the legacy that has impacted many across local and state levels. Senator Hillman Frazier and Senator David Blount award Burg- Burger and United Way’s Board of Trustees of the Capital Area. United Way’s past board members, er a certifi cate for her work within the state of Mississippi. staff, corporate partners, family and public and elected offi cials joined to- gether at the Mississippi Museum of Art June 5 to commend Burger on her mile- stone and shared sincere remarks about the selfl ess donor.