We’ve all been there: mindlessly scrolling through Facebook only to be caught completely off-guard by a disturbing photo, a shocking headline, or an ignorant comment. It’s pretty common these days to interact with social media a bit like a minefield, but it’s rare for those “explosions” to produce laughter and “amen.” Susannah B. Lewis is one of these unique Facebook-dwellers, and I’ll never forget the day I first stumbled across this striking blonde with a smart mouth speaking some things that needed saying. I was a little mesmerized, I must admit.

Good Things Lists | Artist Spotlight

“Good Things Lists” is a practice that anyone can do, whether it’s on a piece of scrap paper, on the notes app in your phone, or in your head. In this time of great uncertainty, sickness, fear and darkness, being positive almost feels like a burden or something you shouldn’t be allowed to do. But these little lists help me come back to the light every time I write one, and I hope they do the same for you. It’s a gentle whisper to the goodness within you to find contentment in the in-betweens and believe that love wins in the end.

Stories, COVID-19Guest ContributorMarch 20, 2020illustration, art therapy, art

The Great Stay-In: Looking Out for Each Other

The Great Stay In of 2020 has begun and I have so many mixed up feelings. It feels good to be doing my civic duty by observing social distancing. It’s small but it’s something, you know? I’m glad to be home with my family, making soup and playing games. Sometimes I can almost forget this isn’t just a normal spring break but something different altogether. The pause in the busy routine of daily life has been oddly welcome around here so far but I can hardly enjoy it for longer than a few minutes at a time.

Essays, COVID-19Guest ContributorMarch 18, 2020rifa, community, JEA

The Cost of Crossing the Color Barrier

Although Humphrey had lived in Bemis the majority of her life; less than a mile from South Side High School, she had to ride a bus 13 miles in the opposite direction to attend East High School. More than a decade after the United States Supreme Court had ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, Madison County still operated totally separate high schools for whites and African-American students at that time. The 1965-1966 school year was the first time African-American students in Bemis were allowed to attend the high school in their neighborhood.

Contributor Spotlight: Asanta M. Brooks

Asanta Brooks is an author and freelance writer. Her passion for writing stemmed from creating and illustrating comic strips as a child, which lead to her becoming involved with the high school paper and excelling as a feature writer for her college paper. She resides in Jackson with her adorably energetic four-year-old son, Alex, and today we’re excited to share a little more about her and why she’s a part of Our Jackson Home.