Down IN Jackson
Today marks over a month I have been in Jackson, MS. My mind swirls as I attempt to condense a month of Magnolia into a blog posting. For the last 3+ weeks, I have worked alongside the leaders of the Mississippi Alliance for Fairness at Nissan (MAFFAN). See that's why I am here. In 2003, Nissan North America opened a great, big-old plantation, I mean assembly plant in Canton, MS right outside Jackson. Given that this is America, and Mississippi at that, the state offered the kitchen sink to this corporation. Practically given a 4.3 million sqft parcel of land right off of I-55, Nissan was poised to add 5000 "good jobs" to a state whose average income is $9.37/hr. According to Nissan figures, they received well over 100, 000 applications for 5, 000 jobs. See where this is going yet?
To sweeten the deal, Hinds County and the state of Mississippi loaded tax breaks upon tax breaks on this $4.2 Billion corporation to entice them into signing a 30-year lease on the property. Nissan pays no income tax as long as salaries remain 150% of the state average, again, a feat made easier in majority non-union states like Mississippi or Tennessee.
This sets the backdrop for the plant opening in 2004. Immediately, the plant begins to set records in terms of productivity, car models produced and technology induced efficiency. Within the first four years, Nissan Canton produced over 1 million cars, an automotive record. Accompanying worker productivity, however, was worker abuse. Nissan workers list a bevy of unfair practices ranging from nepotism to racial profiling. Nissan employs a 70% black labor force and 55% female labor force. Workers detailed instances of colleagues wearing diapers on the line for fear that supervisors will not allow appropriate bathroom breaks. Close to six months ago, a worker died on the factory floor, suffering cardiac arrest yet company medics allegedly diagnosed his condition as indigestion and sent him back to work on the factory floor. Moreover, female employees report rampant sexual abuse, 3 workers fell backwards into unmarked concrete pits resulting in injuries ranging from broken limbs to seizures.
So how does this happen in America you say? Liberal Americans are all aghast anytime allegations of neglect, abuse or injustice are introduced against the nation that distributed smallpox blankets to Native Americans. The backdrop of Mississippi government provide some of the best answers to how Nissan can thrive on the backs of its own workers. I have tons of analysis but I wish to introduce other forms of evidence to paint this picture.
Pictures themselves tell the story better than I can. Typically, it is government officials and representatives accusing us citizens of laziness, corruption or begging for handouts. Government officials love public appeals for a thrifty and motivated body politic. Naturally, lawmakers themselves set that tone don't they? It is the study of their example from which average citizens draw motivation for park clean-ups, PTA participation, civic engagement and civil exchange, yes? Undoubtedly, lawmakers themselves hold reverence for their positions as civil servants and use every day as a fighting chance to better their communities and families, right? Check these images and my accompanying narration and learn for yourself the culture of Mississippi State politics:
Week 1: An Introduction to The State Legislature
Oh Mississippi. The state with the largest black population enjoys a Republican Supermajority in its state legislature. I was able to enjoy Mississippi democracy at work and witnessed in person the consolidation of 10 school districts along with the elimination of an 11th. What was more surprising was the country-club feel that the state legislature exuded. I mean, cats are just chilling! But let's take these issues one by one and show a pattern of Magnolia Justice.
This is How We Do: Just your average day in the state legislature
Carroll, Montgomery and Winona counties all enjoyed recent school board elections within the last 12 months. Multiple counties saw the election of progressive school board superintendents with developed relationships with parents and the community, according to lawmakers. That makes this the perfect time for a state takeover. Arguing that many of these districts cannot support themselves, the state introduced a measure to forego election results and transfer authority to county seats. Black lawmakers introduced at least 2 amendments to alter or even simply delay the bill but the amendments were ineffectual altering the passing of the bill. At the time of the vote, the speaker read the resolution and then the reading was followed by a thunderous round of "Yays" in support of consolidation and "Ney's" in opposition. I was so caught off-guard by this method that the tones and volumes of the "Yays" and "Ney's" seemed almost dead-even. Yet the "yays" carried the day by almost a 2-to-1 margin. And just like that, Mississippi has consolidated schools. But let's look at the culture of the floor as legislatures engage in public debate. These candid shots inspire me to get a cushy job at taxpayer expense too.
Front Porch Justice
Readily I admit, I do not know who this representative is. I do not think I have to know who he is to expect him to be professional and down to business. What I do want to know is if he thinks he is in one of the 50 United States state legislatures or sitting on his front porch taking in the morning sunrise. In over an hour viewing state business, I did not see active participation from this member but was able to capture him grinning and enjoying the public show.
I hate putting black folk, particularly a black elected official on blast, but what do yall want me to do with this photo? The man is sleep on the day that majority black school districts lose control and direction of their school systems. And just in time for Confederate History Month (more on that later). Everyone does not have to be Shirley Chisolm, so do not try and paint me as some detractor, unhappy with everything. But there should be bare minimums that black representatives REMAIN AWAKE and prepared to defend their communities and themselves from the broadsides that we know are coming from America's right-wing, mainstream white Jesus, militaristic, hate-filled masses.
Man, I wonder if anyone smells that?
I like a guy who does not take himself seriously. But when you are a state representative, you should take your job seriously. Again, granted these are momentary shots but I watched the state legislature for an hour. If the Mississippi statehouse was a public school, representatives like this one would be after class making up all the work they sat back and let slide by. Whether he voted "yay" or "nay" on the school consolidation issue, can he say with confidence that he understood with all certainty the positions pro and con? If you answer yes, you set the bar so low that representatives are rewarded for their lax atmosphere.
I need my chill time!
Yo, for real dawg, this here Missippi (local pronunciation). We don't play that sittin' up straight, paying attention game. Folk down here expect their reps to kick back like they do and just let justice come to them. Even though that is not how justice works, there is nothing wrong with staying committed to your ineffectual and wasteful ideology. That is what freedom is all about! Don't be a communist.
This guy is my favorite by far...
I love his concession stand masquerading as a work desk. What's all in there?: peppermint; mintos; skittles; gum; and jerky. All in a day's work my man. Hmmm, which do I want right now?
Decisions, decisions....
Man, I don't know about these schools. But I do know it's hard satisfying those 11am cravings.
Which way should I go? Which way should I go?
SKITTLES! Taste the rainbow.
Messing with Sasquatch...
The cool thing is that I have enough goodies to last WEEKS. But I will get on them citizens who refuse to go vote so I can tear into some Jack Links.
Laid Back! With my mind on my jerky and my jerky on my mind.
Coming next is analysis on April being Confederate History Month down here in Mississippi. But before I get to the analysis that rag, I have to disspell this myth that Mississippi is some kind of island unto itself. Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Arizona, Florida, North Dakota and every other of the 50 states are acutely aware of the happenings in Mississippi or they throw a blatant blind eye to this state to satisfy their own self-righteousness. But just like outside political pressure brought down the Berlin Wall or freed Nelson Mandela, outside political pressure will change Mississippi. In part, all other states prop up their hypocrisy towards domestic violence, child-mortality, indecent housing, racial discrimination, nepotism and corporate welfare because Mississippi remains the stalwart for racial and class-based oppressionnw without hesitation. Everyone gets to say, "at least we are not Mississippi" as a justification to why their injustice is somehow tolerable. The logic of Americans is as ill-logical as it is offensive, self-fulfilling and self-serving.
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