Mayor Friday Ellis continued his fight with the city council’s black majority last week when he vetoed their ordinance required council approval of all contracts. At the heart of this controversy lies a fundamental question: Can Mayor Friday Ellis negotiate…
Category: Editorial
Our Rich Black Heritage: Mrs. Liller Maddox Marbles
By Garry Blanson “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept” – Angela Davis It was a grand ‘ole affair, the President of Grambling University and the Carroll High School…
Mayor Ellis won’t succeed if he’s bent on fighting against South Monroe
Mayor Friday Ellis needs to take a class in political gamesmanship, or else the city’s progress will come to a screeching halt. While the mayor’s strengths have undoubtedly contributed to his political success among the city’s white minority, a glaring…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Oretha D. Robinson & Patrick H. Robinson
By Garry Blanson “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana It appears that along with the resurgence of Jim Crow Laws in Louisiana, certain groups around Louisiana are returning to the practice of using…
Will the whispers about chartering Neville High really happen?
The idea of converting Neville High School into a charter school has resurfaced, bringing with it a mix of hope, skepticism, and historical baggage. Neville alumni and supporters are reportedly preparing to submit a charter application by the looming August…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Dr. Felton Grandison Clark
By Garry Blanson “Underneath the different colors of our skin, People are far more alike than they are different” -Lisa Nichols Wouldn’t It Be Nice If Race Didn’t Matter? This question reminds me of a forgotten Louisiana court case that…
When 12,000 voters are listed as inactive, it shouldn’t be hidden
The recent publication of more than 12,000 inactive Ouachita Parish voters by the Secretary of State’s office has brought to light a concerning lack of transparency in Louisiana’s voter registration process. While the practice of maintaining accurate voter rolls is…