OPINION: The challenge of changing Mississippi to blue, again

The big news for Democrats and Black Mississippians, following a series of special elections, is that Republicans no longer have 2/3 majority control of the state Senate.

Theresa Isom won the Senate District Two seat. She will represent Tunica and Desoto counties. Johnny DuPree was successful in his bid for the Senate District Forty-Five seat. He will represent Forrest and Lamar counties.

The Democrat senators now are: Juan Barnett, Bradford Blackmon, David Blount, Gary Brumfield, Hob Bryan, Albert Butler, Johnny DuPree, Angela Turner-Ford, Hillman Frazier, Rod Hickman, Theresa Isom, Reginald Jackson, Sollie Norwood, Derrick Simmons, Sarita Simmons, and Joseph Thomas. 

After the December 2nd run-off elections, two other names will be added to the Democrats’ ranks. From Senate District Twenty-Four, either Curressia Brown or Justin Pope will be seated. From Senate District Twenty-Six, either Letitia Johnson or Kamesha Mumford will be seated. All four of these candidates have been active Democrats, though they ran without party labels due to it being a special election.

This state of affairs means there can be no Constitutional amendments, gubernatorial over-rides, or other procedural changes requiring a 2/3 majority vote, without cooperation from Democrats. That is what the election outcome means in the strict sense of the word.

On the other hand, it could have broader implications. It opens the door to the challenge of turning Mississippi “blue.” We realize this may not be an immediate occurrence, but the challenge is there.

With the expansion of the Legislative Black Caucus, there is the challenge for the Caucus to become more visible and outspoken. We realize for several years the Caucus was such a small minority that some members felt relatively powerless and isolated. Now the Caucus would do well to adopt and display a strong, united front on issues developed for and with the broad constituency of Black, progressive, and working-class citizens, presenting these issues at the beginning and strategically throughout each legislative session.

With the national, progressive, and “No King” movements, there is the challenge for the small, but growing contingent of progressive white Mississippians to increase their efforts to organize and convert other white people to the movement. Their effort should mirror and be coordinated with those of the Black and Democratic caucuses.

With the recent degree of success at the local level and how it is parallel with such success at the national level, there is the challenge for civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP and civil and human rights activists, to step-up their advocacy, especially among working class people who often feel left out or as if there is nothing for them to gain through political participation.

With positive responses to these challenges, there is no reason why Mississippi cannot be transformed into a “blue state.” Of all the other states, it has the greatest potential. 

As we previously pointed, the reasons Mississippi is a “red state” today are: 1) a substantial number of white people fear that with a loss of power they will be at the mercy of Black people who would seek revenge for their historical victimization; and 2) a substantial number of Black people have come to feel powerless and as if an economic and political change of fortune is out of their reach no matter how they struggle. Of course, there is nothing inherently valid in either position. Mississippians just have to step up to the plate and create a new reality.

The demographics are such that with fair apportionment there could be even more Democrats or progressives in state offices. We would all be the beneficiaries. After all, Mississippi was once a “blue state,” having some of the most progressive policies on public education, economic opportunity, voting, and office-holding. That was during Reconstruction, which was destroyed by racist and anti-democratic actors. For the benefit of us all, it is time to turn Mississippi blue, again.