A rose to all Americans who will use Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday to reflect on the universal truths embodied in the Civil Rights Era’s greatest martyr’s words. While Monday is a federal holiday, most of those who will have the day off are government employees. For the rest of us, it’s a typical Monday. For those who cannot attend events honoring King’s legacy and timeless message on the holiday, we encourage everyone to take some time to read King’s words in his speeches, letters, interviews and sermons, which are easily accessible online. Reflecting on King’s words is something that would benefit every American, regardless of race, religion, gender or socio-economic standing. While many of us are familiar with King’s most famous works — “Letter from Birmingham Jail” or his “I Have A Dream” and “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop” speeches — there are many, many more examples that touch on a wide spectrum of societal issues, many of which persist in one form or another today. We urge everyone to broaden their familiarity with King’s words. His works include themes of tolerance, controlled anger, community, self-worth, and — of course — racial equality. Reading and meditating on his works would make every American a better citizen.
A thorn to prosecutors from the 16th District, including District Attorney Scott Colom, for participating in a public event Tuesday in West Point announcing the candidacy of Trina Davidson-Brooks for a circuit court judgeship in the district. While it’s natural for these prosecutors to support the candidacy of someone who has worked alongside them as an Assistant District Attorney for the past seven years, we believe that support is best expressed privately. The perception of a too-cozy relationship between prosecutors and the judges who hear their cases is magnified by these kinds of public displays. An independent judiciary, which functions without fear or favor is essential to our Democracy. While it is legal, we believe government employees should not publicly participate in election campaigns, especially when such support could be misinterpreted as an unfair relationship. That certainly applies in this case. While we do not question the integrity of those prosecutors who participated in Tuesday’s event, we do question their judgment in this instance.
A rose to Mississippi State University’s Television Center for its efforts to sustain the memory of what was once the most iconic building on the MSU campus through a documentary film. In the early morning hours of Jan. 23, 1959, fire swept through Old Main Dormitory, then thought to be the nation’s largest dormitory. The fire reduced the massive building — which had been the campus home to an estimated 40,000 students since it opened in 1881 — to rubble. The university’s Chapel of Memories, constructed in part by bricks salvaged from the dormitory, now stands on part of the site of Ole Main. Even in its absence, Old Main has remained a part of the university’s folklore. Today, former students who have first-hand accounts of the dorm and the fire are in their late 70s and early 80s, so preserving the story of Old Main becomes increasingly important. UTC’s 11-minute documentary will premier at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 on the university’s Facebook page, as well as MSTV for local cable subscribers and will be preserved for future generations, helping ensure the story of Old Main remains a part of the university’s history and folklore.
A rose to Thomas Genin of Ajax LLC, who recently purchased the old Woody’s on the Water restaurant located at the Columbus Marina near the Columbus Lock and Dam. The building, which had been vacant for years, was donated to the City of Columbus in 2020. Genin plans to open a seafood restaurant and seafood retail market on the site. A restaurant on that site will be a great addition to Columbus’ restaurant options and to the adjacent Columbus Marina, which is seeing an increase in traffic of late. We also present a rose of encouragement to the Lowndes County Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, whose approval is required to complete the sale.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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