Election is bigger than ‘Little Chokwe’: It’s about refusing to be further pulled apart
Publisher’s Note:
By DeAnna Tisdale Johnson
As our city once again enters the heat of an election season, I find myself reflecting deeply on the weight of legacy – and the responsibility that comes with it.
My father believed in this city. He gave his life to it, in many ways, just as the late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba did. I see the parallels between the life I grew up in and the one Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba now lives. We are both children of men who committed themselves to building something better. And we are both striving to carry forward the work they began.
But legacy is heavy. And leadership, especially during election season, exposes you to both the best and worst of people. I have seen firsthand how political moments can divide communities and damage spirits. While I remain fully committed to the mission of the Jackson Advocate – uplifting truth, serving our people, and holding space for community – I’ve come to recognize that my calling is not to endorse, but to protect the integrity of the platform entrusted to me.
I do not wish politics on my worst enemy. My skin has not hardened with time; if anything, my heart has only grown more tender. And I no longer wish to pretend otherwise.
That is why I will not be endorsing candidates in this election. I believe this decision is in service to truth and transparency. It is not an act of retreat, but of release – allowing those more seasoned in the tradition of political discernment to step forward.
That honor belongs to Publisher Emerita Alice Thomas-Tisdale, who has lived this city’s history in real time – not as a bystander, but as a builder. She has poured her wisdom and fire into the pages of this paper for decades. Her endorsement – grounded in experience, memory, and love – is published here, as it should be.
To our readers, I say this: you are the heartbeat of this city. Vote with clarity. Organize with compassion. Demand more. Dream bigger. And remember, Jackson’s future is not in any one person’s hands – it is in ours.
By Alice Thomas-Tisdale
JA Publisher Emerita
Recently, long time friend Kathy Sykes reminded me of a standing joke among civil rights foot soldiers: Someone drowning in the river yells out for help. As they are being pulled to safety, only their right arm is salvaged. They pleaded again to the rescuers. This time it’s their left leg making it to shore. Now facing imminent demise, they cried out – “Please save me!” In unison, the Good Samaritans replied, “If you would just stick together, we can!” Today, that “someone” is Jacksonians drowning in a state of uncertainty more so than frustration over a growing disregard for human life, criminal activity, dilapidated housing, crumbling infrastructure, illegal dumping, business and school closures, loss of city services, and potentially its international airport. At a minimum, citizens are at a crossroads – on one side, a rocky road, and the other, a potential false bottom. The rescuers remain the voice of reason.
For me, it’s an impossibility to ignore the fact that “Little Chokwe” is named for his father who put Jackson on a course to self determination; Chokwe Lumumba literally died accomplishing that mind boggling fete (see pages 6A-7A).
Being that he is his father’s son, “Little Chokwe” is naturally coated in the glue needed to bind our city during times like these. His family legacy should merit consideration for not throwing him out of office and leaving him prey to the vultures that await with humongous appetites. In simpler words, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Quoting the younger Lumumba, “When I become mayor, we all become mayor,” should connect Jackson voters with his very existence. Why risk jumping ship in a raging sea when we can each pick up an oar and potentially reach shore without any casualties? Jackson, let’s stay the course and take time over the next year to save our mayor and our city. Please vote to reelect Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.
And if you just can’t see your way to do that, I offer my longtime friend and Jackson Advocate tried-and-true supporter, Senator John Horhn, whose own father, trailblazer Charlie Horhn, has proven to be an exceptional guiding light.
In the city council races, I support the following candidates: Ward 1, Jasmine Barnes; Ward 2, Montyne “Tina” Clay; Ward 3, Kenneth I. Stokes; Ward 4, Brian Grizzell; Ward 5, ReJohnna Brown Mitchell; and Ward 6, Emon Thompson. I’m not familiar enough with Ward 7 candidates to recommend anyone.
