www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 7 DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2017 50¢ A dark cloud looms in Mississippi needs Mississippi ahead of a song to sing Trump’s planned visit By Jackie Hampton state song. She said that Missis- Publisher sippi was once the 6th most di- Minutes after jazz artist Pam verse state in the country. Confer sang her new song “Mis- Dolphus Weary, former presi- sissippi Beautiful” in the Missis- dent of Mission Mississippi, said sippi State Capitol Rotunda, the that Confer has used her gifts to world received news that Presi- bless so many. “In 1967 when I dent Donald Trump would be got on a bus to go to California, attending the December 9 grand we rode across the Mississippi COMPOSITE PHOTO AP opening of the new Mississippi River bridge in Vicksburg, and Civil Rights Museum. The Mu- all I could say was good-bye By Othor Cain Jackson. “The president should seum of Mississippi History also Mississippi, I’m gone and I’m Editor be here and we are thankful never coming back,” he said. opens to the public that day. When news broke that Pres- that he is coming, Bryant said. Weary said he was so glad he Confer’s new song will be ident Donald Trump would “It is right and fi tting.” came back. “It’s time for us to permanently featured in Gallery visit the Magnolia State to par- Bryant responded specifi - stop talking about what hap- Number 8 of the Civil Rights ticipate in the grand opening cally to the NAACP wanting pened yesterday but rather ask Museum and in light of the buzz of the highly anticipated Mis- him to rescind his invitation to surrounding Trump’s visit, Con- ourselves what are we going to Pam Confer singing “Mississippi Beautiful.” PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON sissippi Civil Rights Museum, Trump. “Well that isn’t going do today and tomorrow?” He fer said that Mississippi needs a it sent shockwaves across the to happen,” he said. “I think said we need to create a new sto- song to sing. Magnolia State. For months, people should put aside par- ry because the old story is gone In an interview with The Mis- Mississippians have been tisan politics and propaganda and that Confer’s song gives us sissippi Link prior to the press planning, securing tickets, and show the hospitality this the enthusiasm, the joy and the conference, Confer said, “I fi nalizing schedules, work- state is known for.” new energy to move forward and thought about the opening of ing behind the scenes all in The Mississippi Link has create that new story. the two new museums and said preparation for this much an- compiled a few released reac- Also attending the press con- to myself, we need a new song, ticipated affair. Until Monday. tions to Trump’s visit: ference was Brandon Mitchell, we need to be happy and proud.” Monday, CNN reported that The Mississippi Associa- one of Confer’s producers. She One day while walking her dog Trump would indeed visit the tion of County Democratic said that he was a professional Jazzie, the lyrics began to come state. Monday, for some, plans Chairs and Hinds County and talented young musician. to her. changed when it was reported Democratic Party Chairper- Marcus Singleton, her other pro- Confer is dedicating her new that Trump would participate son Jacqueline R. Amos is- ducer, was not present. song to the Mississippi Bicenten- in the events. Press secretaries sued the following statement: Confer is director of Commu- nial, Dec. 10, which she hopes and PR industry folk began to “Yesterday, we learned with nity and Public Relations at Nis- will show Mississippi in a new work over-time crafting mes- great dismay that the president san – North America in Canton. light. She said the lyrics contin- sages. will participate in the opening She serves as the choir director ued to unfold as she thought, “It’s Tuesday, the White House ceremonies of the Mississippi for the Nissan Canton Choir; the our birthday and this song could Confer with producer Brandon Mitchell at press conference. confi rmed his visit and press Civil Rights Museum this Sat- only choir in the automotive in- be a birthday gift to us. statements were released with- urday. As the direct political dustry in the country. She is the Confer said the two museums more than just a name. The more award winning Mississippi artist. in hours of the confi rmation. heirs to the Freedom Demo- executive producer, writer and depict that we are taking part in that we can see, the more we can Confer said that her song is for Among those that responded cratic Party and in the spirit of singer of “Mississippi Beauti- our own destiny. “We had no part believe we are beautiful, we are the diversity of Mississippi and was the leadership of the Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, we ful.” in our destiny 200 years ago.“ beautiful the moment we believe, would love for it to become the NAACP. call upon all the authorities She confi rmed, “the “we” includ- the moment we believe it, we will NAACP President Derrick involved to cancel any appear- edes Mississippians of all races, be free.” PHOTO OF THE WEEK Johnson said in a statement ance and remarks by President hues, cultures, backgrounds and Confer said she truly believes that Trump’s record on civil Donald Trump immediately. religions.” She said, “It’s all so that just because we are beauti- rights and fraught relation- Any reasonable person knows exciting to be able to frame Mis- ful, it doesn’t mean that we are ship with many in the African- that the presence of such a sissippi in a different way.” unfl awed. Her hope is that Mis- American community made hugely divisive and polarizing Confer said the song starts sissippians can use this song to him an unwelcome guest at the fi gure will pervert and dimin- out asking the question, who are ease some of our painful history. Magnolia State event. ish what could otherwise be a we? Everything going forward Though many have suffered, she “President Trump’s state- healing and teaching moment answers the opening lyrics. She does not want to defi ne that pain ments and policies regarding for our state. Trump attained said her song allows Mississippi- but allow her lyrics to heal the the protection and enforce- the highest offi ce in the land ans to say who we are rather than pain. ment of civil rights have been by appeals and tactics that do someone else saying who we are. The Monday press conference abysmal, and his attendance is great and lasting violence to Confer softly began to sing, was well attended. Rep. Debra an affront to the veterans of the our civil rights heritage. His “Who are we, what do we stand Gibbs, District 72, in her wel- civil rights movement,” John- campaign appealed to the very for? Who are we, what do we come, said that Confer exudes son said. worst demons of the American claim? We are faces of joy and confi dence. Using one of Con- “He has created a commis- soul. He is a disgraceful presi- pain. Mississippi who are we, fer’s favorite quotes, Gibbs said, sion to reinforce voter sup- dent, a malicious infl uence, for nothing remains the same, for “It’s not how you shine, but how pression, refused to denounce and an abominable human be- even the seasons change. We are you polish,” as she described this white supremacists, and over- ing. He has no place at a cel- all, has created a racially hos- ebration of the very values and tile climate in this nation.” aspirations his presidency is Activists have threatened clearly committed to destroy. to boycott or protest Trump’s Congressman Thomp- CBC meets with FBI director over participation, which White son’s statement on President House Press Secretary Sarah Trump’s attendance at Mis- Huckabee Sanders said would sissippi Civil Rights Museum be unfortunate. opening Black Identity Extremists report “I think that would be hon- “With President Donald estly very sad. This is some- Trump accepting Gov. Phil By Stacy M. Brown ists Likely Motivated to Target lice offi cers in Dallas and Baton thing that should bring the Bryant’s invitation to attend NNPA Newswire Contributor Law Enforcement Offi cers,” Rouge, La., in 2016, the bureau country together to celebrate the opening of the Mississippi FBI Director Christopher A. sparked a wave of controversy expressed concerns about the the opening of this museum Civil Rights Museum, I am Wray failed to explain why the and sharp criticism of the FBI. threat of copycat attacks against and highlighting the civil hopeful he will begin to un- agency he leads changed the At least one CBC member law enforcement at the Repub- rights movement and the prog- derstand the pain he is causing name of a domestic terrorism called the leaked document lican and Democratic national ress that we’ve made,” she in the black and underserved designation from “Black Sepa- “COINTELPRO 2.0,” while conventions.” said at a White House press communities across America,” ratist Extremists” to “Black another said that the report Newsweek reported that oth- briefi ng. Thompson said. “His unfair Identity Extremist,” during a “calls for open season on black er documents showed that “the Governor Phil Bryant, who budget cuts in agriculture, ed- recent meeting with a group of activists.” The document was FBI has monitored Black Lives extended the invitation to ucation, healthcare and hous- Congressional Black Caucus shared widely with local law Matter protesters.” Trump, echoed Sanders’ state- ing disproportionately impacts members about a leaked FBI enforcement agencies across Those documents were re- ments Wednesday morning af- people of color and is viewed document.