Coalition for Economic Empowerment hosts town hall meeting with Central MS top leaders

The Coalition for Economic Empowerment, led by Brother Asinia Lukata Chikuyu, hosted a city-wide town hall meeting in the Community Room of the Jackson Medical Mall on Monday, October 6th. 

Among the elected officials attending the town hall meeting were Representatives Zakiya Summers and Jeffery Harness; Kabir Karriem, who also heads the Legislative Black Caucus; Cheikh Taylor, who chairs the Mississippi State Democratic Party; and Senators Hillman Frazier and Sollie Norwood. All of them shared their ideas and opinions, without any posturing as the authority in the room.

Perhaps to no one’s surprise, the major topics with which they were concerned this past legislative session includes healthcare, especially for women and infants; housing and the homeless; crime; economic development; education; and reforms to the retirement system. The legislators indicated the battle over re-apportionment would be significant, involving protecting voting rights and minimizing gerrymandering. They also discussed funding of the needed items would be difficult, especially given cuts in income taxes and other features of House Bill 1, which was passed last session.

As a result of questions from the audience, a considerable amount of time was spent on the voting behavior of some Black legislators. It was pointed out how difficult it is to get all of the Black and Democratic legislators to vote in the best interests of their constituents, especially since their voting behavior is often not reported to the voters back home. That discussion led to a focus on newly elected legislators and the role of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Apparently, there are many legislators feeling they need no guidance and prefer to act alone as legislators. Representative Karriem stated there are plans in the works to re-brand and re-purpose the Legislative Black Caucus, which could help solve the problem. He and several members of the audience emphasized unity and communication are concepts of utmost importance going forward, that is, unity among the different levels of officials (local, county, and state delegations) and communication (between officials and their constituents). They felt these are needed in addition to unity within the Legislative Black Caucus. 

Representative Taylor commented on one of the biggest obstacles to getting positive bills passed and negative bills defeated – the 2/3 Republican majority in both houses. He stated Democrats lost their majority as a result of members switching parties after getting elected. He suggested challenging them at the precinct level. He also feels Black Democrats can pick-up more than the three mandated as a result of court action by voting in larger numbers.

The legislators agreed they could and would hold similar town hall meetings prior to the beginning of future legislative sessions, both to get in-put from citizens and to seek assistance from them. Furthermore, they agreed “boots on the ground” during the legislative sessions would help the causes of the Black legislators and the constituents whom they represent.

Although the meeting was characterized by optimism, there were several examples wherein more realism was advised. Taylor pointed to massive voter purging in Hattiesburg ahead of the re-apportionment effort in that area. Harness and Frazier expressed their lack of confidence in the higher education commissioner and trustees to do the right thing when it comes to Alcorn, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State. Several legislators questioned the composition of the Senate committee appointed to assist the city of Jackson. That seven-member Senate committee has only three members from the city of Jackson and only two Black members. The chairman of the committee is a white Republican from Madison County.

Brother Lukata asked all present to look for opportunities to work with other individuals and groups on the critical issues facing Black people in Jackson and the state of Mississippi.