Thursday, June 22, 2023

An Outsider Visits Jackson

Outside agitator and YouTuber Nick Johnson visited Jackson recently. His Youtube channel is an exploration of American cities - the good, the bad, and of course, the ugly.  The vlogger toured Jackson all over, from West Jackson to downtown to The Fondren before moseying up to the Queen's country. What was his verdict? Check out the video below to find out.




The video is a far cry from when a New York Times reporter visited Jackson a decade ago and had quite a few nice things to say. 

One little note.  Was that really Madison he toured at 21:15?  One guy was griping about closing schools.  Well, when the student population falls from 32,000 to 19,000 and some kids that is going to happen.  Need to close more.  Funny how a New York Times reporter could find better places to eat.  




45 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, that is not Madison at all. That's large scale tract housing typically found around the Dallas Metroplex(knock on his initial text), but it is very true.

Anonymous said...

I am pretty sure the place he calls Madison (Clairmont Avenue) is not even in Mississippi. Looks more like Birmingham.

Anonymous said...

Appalling. I have sent this to several of my old friends in other parts of this country. As this author stated, third world is better. I have served in other countries that aren't this bad. I wonder how many other Jackson citizens share the sentiment of the 1st gent stating, "maybe we need to go back" to white rule, If I heard him correctly. Even then it may just be a lost cause at this point.

Anonymous said...

I haven’t seen any of this guy’s other videos, but it’s clear that he has no clue what he’s talking about. The neighborhood he went through isn’t Madison, Ridgeland, or any other suburb of Jackson (although it could have been Belhaven). And worst homicides in the USA for two years is far from acceptable, but this certainly isn’t the “murder capital of the world, as the title wrongly claims. It’s also quite clear that he went to the very worst parts of the city that he possibly could.

All in all, this guy is a grifter looking for clicks. That much is obvious.

I did find it funny how he put much of the blame on racist white people fleeing to the suburbs because they didn’t like their schools interesting and also on the State. Just wanted to point that out for any commenters who want to treat this guy as telling the gospel truth just because his video was largely negative.

Anonymous said...

Ahh yes. All of the tree lined streets with Tudor style houses in Madison.

Anonymous said...

I’ve watched his videos before. The YouTube algorithm promotes them.
Every ghetto shithole he visits is the same, totally democrat controlled.
I think he added one or two impoverished Appalachian towns to seem like he wasn’t picking on democrats.
Those impoverished Appalachian towns still look 100x safer and cleaner than the ghettoes.

Anonymous said...

Appreciate this carpetbagger coming down here and rubbing our problems in our face. What's his motive?

Sol Juette said...

You deserve what you will tolerate.

Anonymous said...

Pitiful. Just Pitiful.

Anonymous said...

I have lived in Jackson the past ten years or so.
During that time, I never travelled to South and West Jackson.
I had heard it was bad---but man! I had no idea how bad! Third world!

Anonymous said...

Yes 10:32 he said exactly that. And you would be surprised at how many feel the way he does but they are afraid to say it because of retribution against them or their families. Like I said a few weeks back, we didn’t have these issues until Ditto left office. Prior to that this was a very well run beautiful city that you could be proud of. I can’t say that now.

Anonymous said...

Jackson still has a few nice places that he did not visit. However, it’s just a matter of time before those areas disintegrate.

The fact that Jackson won’t accept help from the state for law enforcement or management says everything we need to know.

Jackson also suffers more because of left wing hate groups that fight against improvements like the Southern Povery Law And the NAACP. They are not about improving lives or quality of life, they are only concerned about political power.

Anonymous said...

A few highlights:

"It's Like I hit the ghetto bullseye."

"It isn't the danger that stuck out to me. It the condition of the place."

"I don't know how you fix all this. It's like they stopped even trying."

Anonymous said...

The people he talked to all said one thing. They want someone to help them out. Do they not realize that is the job of the mayor and city council? They want someone to fix their roads, water system, sewer problems, garbage problems, poor schools, and crime problems. What do they think other cities do? They elect people who will work on those problems and solve them. What Jackson has if grifters and common criminals for leaders. What do they expect?

Anonymous said...

1- yeah, jackson has fallen that far and yes this person does this for a living and needs clicks but it is the reality of most of jackson

2-he should have ventured a bit more into belhaven towne center to see what can be done. better food there than what he chose

3-not all “blue cities” are crap holes. using “democrat” in mississippi is code for something else.

4-the downfall has accelerated under the current mayor. he has no idea how to manage a city. but hey, seems like all of you that still live in Jackson are either okie dokie with him or are willing to overlook him in order to stay and help make it better.

Anonymous said...

I watched this a few days ago. I thought then like so many if his ilk, it's a very uneven presentation. He takes his time to bring the viewer expectations down before showing viewers that Mississippi does have electricity, toilets, water and schools. Not defending how bad thing are, because they are. My wife quickly pointed out "not Madison". The bad stuff is really bad and actually should embarrass the leadership, which was called out by a citizen. I will not, sadly.

YouTube vids like this abound and they mostly take the "worst" states, cities, towns or regions to live. Jackson took a hit here.

Anonymous said...

The Madison video that he shows is actually in Birmingham AL,and I think that it is called the forest park neighborhood. Google Map Coordinates: 33.51742927924387, -86.76553146814322

Anonymous said...

Just glad Madison got caught up in this. Madisonittes act like they live in a different country.

Anonymous said...

I wonder which other capitol cities in this Republic have raw sewage bubbling up into the streets.

Clay Edwards said...

I've been making this exact same video for the last 3 years and y'all just call me racist, did you have to hear it from an outsider to finally believe jxn is a 3rd world $hit hole? Hearing it from someone who's lived here for 43+ years wasn't good enough?

Anonymous said...

@12:19 PM - We do.

Anonymous said...

I've watched this guy some on youtube. He simply gets on the internet and finds stats and such and then states "best cities in blah blah" or "worst cities in blah blah". You know he does not go there because he will say things like Indianola is a great town in MS but Wiggins is terrible. I'll be honest, I like MS and I agree Jackson is mostly a third world country. There are so many wonderful towns in MS. I live in South MS and love it. I hope these carpet baggers stay away.

Anonymous said...

I lost count of how many times the woman at the first part of the video said "You know what I mean?" How insightful.

Anonymous said...

Actually, "overgrown" is a GOOD thing. Please allow that to continue. Greenery hides the ugliness. That those of us with wherewithal, spend big, to give the grounds of our brand-new homes the "overgrown" look, should inform city leaders that they should be embracing the return to nature. If they're getting the regeneration for-free, then it's a win-win.

Anonymous said...

@12:19

Absolutely right, Madison is as bad as Jackson, so please spread the word to the Jacksonians that trek everyday up here looking for safety, food and services.

Anonymous said...

Jackson doesn't have a road problem, or a waster system problem, or a sewer problem, or a garbage problem, or a school problem or a crime problem. Jackson has a PEOPLE PROBLEM. The people of Jackson either cause these problems or allow them to occur by those they elect. The people of Jackson, like so many other cities, do not have the intellectual capacity to do what needs to be done, what should be done. And folks, there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it.

Anonymous said...

If you are looking for a pat on the back Clay you need to stop looking. Kingfish has been taking sniper fire and making a difference for 16+ years. Let your efforts and perseverance do the talking.

Anonymous said...

spend your life working to fix this or spend your life in a city that's already fixed????

Anonymous said...

Chokwe's Most Radical City in America.

Anonymous said...

Attn 12:50 PM So you think he collected this information from the internet just to make Jackson look bad. I have bad news for you. You are not part of the solution, but you are part of the problem.

Anonymous said...

I live in a prominent subdivision in Madison city. It is not perfect here either. Just yesterday, I saw a cigarette butt right on the green area separating the 4 lanes.

Anonymous said...

@11:36 please name a blue city that is not or is not becoming a "crap hole"

Anonymous said...

I lived in Jackson through elementary school. I moved to Madison in 8th grade, have lived there 30+ years now, and have never looked back. The only time I even travel through Jackson is because I have to take the interstate... but I don't stop. Jackson has become a complete cesspool. I don't mean just South and West Jackson... North Jackson and Eastover are far shadows from what they used to be 20 years ago. I have friends that moved here from out of state and bought a big house for cheap in NE Jackson only to move a few months later because they couldn't handle the crime. This video highlights the REAL Jackson... not the one that the "Save Jackson" loonies are pushing. And to the guy that states he wishes whites would come back in, A LOT of Jacksonians will tell you that in private. They just don't want to be ridiculed in their communities for sympathizing with the enemy.

Anonymous said...

There is really only one question that needs to be asked. That question is, could Jackson do better?

The answer is, that as long as Jackson is look at as something to be looted, as the current administration does, the answer is, no, Jackson cannot do any better.

Anonymous said...

Too bad he resorts to editing and adding in fake video ( the non-Madison shots). Jxn is super shitty--- but he went forth and cherry picked it.

He stayed in that new hotel in Fondren...he was within WALKING distance of Woodland Hills ...but chose instead to drive 5-10 miles out of the way to some S/W Jackson hood where most of the readers of this blog don't even rec' or know where it is.

He searched out and picked the very worst and only that for his jxn video.
I didn't see him go to Char or Eastover or B'haven or Highland Village ( or egads...Whole Foods) or The District. He didn't even do Fondren justice IMO.

So yeah...he lost a lot of credibility with those stunts.

Jxn does suck....there's no need to exaggerate or amplify it .

Anonymous said...

@1:44 PM - Not only that, I heard that a neighbor tore off a mattress tag. Another neighbor may have swallowed some UN-SWEET TEA!

Anonymous said...

1:32, how can a city be fixed when the majority of the citizens are apparently fine with the status quo?

Anonymous said...


Time for a few to calm down.

YouTuber Nick Johnson turns out these videos about every city/town across the USA.
He earns a living from YouTube algorithms.

I've never cared for his content either, but he did give a positive review of our Gulf Coast from Ocean Springs to Bay St. Louis.

Anonymous said...

Gosh I don't like this guy, what a lame ass punk. People can be poor and still be good people.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the sh!thole Capitol of the world! I'll tell y'all what you can do about these issues, educate yourself & vote them out of office at the next elections!
It's that simple! Oh wait... know what I'm saying.

Get out and vote the corrupt politicians out of office!! There's your first step in turning Jackson around.

Anonymous said...

Jackson is worse than some third world countries. Gentrification is the only thing that can save some areas of the city.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, an election, there’s a real game-changer.

Anonymous said...

Yea, the "Madison" footage is actually Birmingham, AL (Confirmed). I took a still shot of the video at an intersection and cross referenced it in Google Maps.

Anonymous said...

Those still clinging to the notion that Jackson is better than his depiction are kidding themselves. He actually gave the city a pass, by not doing more video of the commercial blight on the major thoroughfares like Pearl, Gallatin, Woodrow Wilson, Fortification, Medgar Evers, Bailey, and Capitol (other than the 5 blocks downtown). 30 years ago it could be scary in places -- now it's a war zone. Time to move the capital back to Natchez.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, kill the messenger.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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