Happiness is a Curse
by Jaliyah Armon Knowing the world is fighting its last battle is like watching a loose leaf on a tree branch, dangling with the strong blowing wind, trying to hold on for dear life. Everything was damned to be dark and broken; no one ever paid attention to the crying rainbow for its positive outlook on a […]
Less Fortunate Youth
By Jacquey Davis Life is good, life is great Life is like your favorite cake But not for all the spoon is silver And not all have their life delivered Some have no help, not even from parents They need your help, not your glaring Surrounded by drugs and some by gangs Some choose drugs and ruin their brains maybe switch to […]
What is Peace?
by Anthony Hawkins There I stood, looking in the mirror, glaring at the reflection of the abyss of dark waters curiously acknowledging what the world calls peace. “Peace be with you,” they say to me, but of what has peace come to be? I lift my eyes to observe the light-blue ethereal ocean while thinking […]
Ongoing YMP Youth Crime Forums Generate Causes, Solutions from All Ages
The Mississippi Youth Media Project started holding public dialogue circles in the Jackson community in early 2018 to collect potential solutions for crime and violence in the area. Dozens of local residents, from teenagers to elected officials, have brainstormed together for possible answers to several questions while sitting in circles with equal voices, as well […]
Of Potholes and Palaces: Education Disparities in Jackson Metro Schools
by Clay Morris Indigo Williams and her then 5-year-old son, JS, were about to embark on the boy’s journey into the colorful and simple world of kindergarten in 2015. Beginning at Madison Station Elementary, a school with an “A” rating from the Mississippi Department of Education, Williams enrolled JS in multiple extracurricular activities, had access […]
Lifting the Veil on Mental Health and Trauma in Jackson’s Youth
by Cole Morse The day was shockingly bright, contrasting Anaiya Miggins’ slowly darkening thoughts. On the way to the facility, she watched the trees and cars pass by in a blur. She had just read the green lettering on a sign outside her destination, the name of a mental-health facility in Jackson, Miss., when her […]
Clay Morris: Of Truth and Inclusivity
Photo and story by LaShenda Hudson On a cloudy day in 2018, Clay Bingham Morris was about to give a very important speech to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’s student body. The speech, which he gave as the sermon to his school’s weekly church service, was called “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” He was so nervous, […]
April Sargent: Turning Her Life Around
Photo and story by Evan Denson On the playground after lunch one day, April Sargent and her friends fought some of the girls who were bullying her. Sargent didn’t get caught while fighting the girls, therefore, she believed she had triumphed. During school, Sargent had many problems and was very depressed. In elementary school, a […]
Jaylyn Sutton: Vermont Bound
Photo and story by Madysin Bratton When Jaylyn Sutton was just a child, she and her family would go visit her Aunt Bunny in the hospital. Sutton used to read to Aunt Bunny, who had a very severe cancer. Before leaving the hospital everyday, Sutton told her aunt she loved her. Sutton and her aunt had […]
Inajas Perry: Growing from Struggle
Photo and story by Dyahda Nolan On the first Tuesday of January 2012, Inajas Perry and her little brother were relaxing from a long busy Christmas season. While her mom and dad went back to their workday routines, Perry was left to watch her younger brother Jordan. “Its burning!” her little brother screamed. Perry got up […]
