Sunday, August 18, 2024

Bill Crawford: Mission Mississippi Still Active & Relevant

Sixty years ago on June 28, 1964, the New York Times front page declared, “MISSISSIPPI: A PROFILE OF THE NATION'S MOST SEGREGATED STATE.”

The change in Mississippi culture since has been night and day. For the most part, Black and white mix in peace without fear in workplaces, public venues, civic clubs, universities and colleges, many schools, and some churches.

Yet, two vestiges persist. One is a hateful fear in some that the state’s white population majority will be overtaken by non-whites. The other and more insidious vestige is what the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called, “the appalling silence and indifference” of good people with regard to racial injustice.

Our lingering separateness is apparent. Most wealthy Mississippians, business owners, bank executives, physicians, and plant managers are white. Most poverty families live in Black households. Most private schools are majority white. Most poor, struggling schools are majority Black. And so on.

The good news out of all this is the strong involvement of so many white and Black Mississippians in racial reconciliation initiatives. The bad news is the persistent need for such.

One of the mainstays for racial reconciliation has been Mission Mississippi. Formed in 1993, the founders envisioned the organization would be “the leading resource and catalyst for Christian reconciliation and racial healing for Mississippi.” Since then other initiatives have sprung up, e.g., Becoming Beloved Community; the Alluvial Collective; Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation; and community initiatives generated by local churches and organizations across the state. Then there are related social justice initiatives such as the Mississippi Center for Justice, the Mississippi Urban League, and Together for Hope.

Last year Brian Crawford became president of Mission Mississippi. A past chief of Cybersecurity Engineering and Analysis for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Brian brings a systems approach to his work. A planter and lead pastor of City Light Church, an intentional multi-ethnic church plant in downtown Vicksburg, he brings a heartfelt commitment to racial reconciliation.

Asked if Mission Mississippi was still relevant, he gave an emphatic yes. “We still don’t know how to get along,” he said, adding he has tweaked Mission Mississippi to focus more on “relational discipleship.”

He described that process to the North Jackson Rotary Club as “achieving healthy relationships across dividing lines.” His five-step rubric shows movement from shared spaces to more authentic and intimate relationships through shared stories and struggles to “common flourishing” through shared successes.

Brian actively travels the state meeting with leaders and regular folk to teach his rubric and pursue Mission Mississippi’s goal to form “one community living reconciled.”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

Posted by Kingfish at 8:46 AM

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

One need only look around you and see the benefits of unleashing the social boundaries. It has been nothing but a disaster! Anyone who says otherwise is a delusional liar!

August 18, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Anonymous said...

hello mr crawford..........tell me, did you know that on june 28, 1965 that new york city was basically run by 5 different organized crime families? otherwise known as the mob, the mafia?
98% of all persons in city and county government were on the take. screw the New York Times.

August 18, 2024 at 10:08 AM
Anonymous said...

Sorry, but the MOST segregated state is NOT Mississippi. NEW YORK is the MOST racially segregated state, Bill. The MOST Democratic states and cities are the most racially segregated and dysfunctional.

"While New York is the most segregated, Illinois, California, and Maryland and others also have extreme segregation levels. Black students in the country's largest school districts have little contact with white students except in county-wide or suburban districts.

Source: Jan 7, 2021 "Confronting pervasive segregation" | University of California University

States with the Least Racial Integration

45. Illinois

46. Michigan

47. Minnesota

48. Iowa

49. Maine

50. Wisconsin

It's a LIE, Bill. It's NOT still 1964. But it's a living for the purveyors in the Civil Rights Industry.

August 18, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Anonymous said...

Odds are very high the divide and conquer strategy used by politicians and their propaganda partners isn’t going to change. Race relations in MS and the US had progressed significantly until a failed Chicago community organizer decided divide and conquer would be required in order for him to become president.

Until African Americans study and listen to truth tellers like award-winning writer and filmmaker, Shelby Steel (What Killed Michael Brown) and civil rights activist and community development leader Robert Leon Woodson, the chaos Democrats use to gain and keep control of their cities with rampant crime will continue.

It appears extremely unlikely this will ever happen since Malcom X truthfully made it clear half a century ago “that white person that you see calling himself a liberal (today its progressive Democrat) is the most dangerous thing in the entire Western Hemisphere,” and yet the scam successfully continues.

August 18, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Anonymous said...

Apartheid and Reparations, two seemingly incompatible goals, are nevertheless both simultaneously sought by Black separatists, like Mayor Lumumba of Jackson, MS, who expects mostly white State and Federal taxes to pay for his dream of an all Black City of Jackson, with all funds filtered through his fingers.

August 18, 2024 at 12:33 PM
Anonymous said...

How did all those rednecks get up north?

August 18, 2024 at 12:39 PM
Anonymous said...

"Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson."

What other publications run this guy's drivel?

August 18, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Anonymous said...

"It's kind of sick how much joy I get out of being cruel to old white men." Sarah Jeong, NY Times Editorial Board.

These are today's arbiters of what is racism.

August 18, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Anonymous said...

“Father, forgive us for what we must do
You forgive us, we'll forgive you
We'll forgive each other till we both turn blue
Then we'll whistle and go fishing in heaven”
John Prine

August 19, 2024 at 11:39 AM

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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).

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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.

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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.

Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

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.

Note: Security provided by INS.