We are continuing to report on the political consequences of this national reckoning against racism. It is clear that 2020’s election cycle will be unlike any other in American history. While generations of Mississippians and Americans have had difficult, raw conversations about their race, our most powerful politicians have mostly ignored them. Despite the pleas and organizing efforts of millions of citizens across the country, leaders across the country have had to confront racism this year. However, too few Mississippi candidates are being forced to face the same. We don’t believe that’s acceptable. We have heard nothing more than that. Journalists are watchdogs for our government and those who lead it. We challenge the status quo, ask hard questions and support those who are most affected by the system that elected officials created and continue to perpetuate. We are the eyes and ears of the public in the corridors they can’t enter and, as Joseph Pulitzer once said, “to attack wrong.” Our responsibility is especially heavy to report on racism and other racist ideologies that continue to harm so many of our neighbors. We take it seriously that readers see how systemic racism continues affecting and holding back Mississippians of color. These past weeks have been filled with soul-searching about our roles in this moment in the nation and in this state. We have taken a close look at our practices and ourselves, and worked diligently to answer the question: How can we help Mississippi inform, heal, or help? The short answer is that we believe you deserve more, and that’s why we are doing our part to make that happen. This time in American history requires more from us all. Mississippi needs to have a deeper and more direct conversation about race. It cannot wait. We will be sharing our platform with Mississippians today to allow them to write essays on race. These essays will be raw, opinionated and sometimes jarring and will hopefully spark important conversations. While we will publish writers from all political backgrounds, we won’t publish hate or inaccuracy. Kiese Laymon is the first essay in this series. He is a Jackson native, best-selling author, and is widely regarded as one among America’s most influential writers on race. Since March 2016, Mississippi Today has focused its efforts on providing fact-based analysis and reporting on politics and government that isn’t available elsewhere. Although you won’t find an opinion piece or op-ed on our website, we have tried to connect you with Mississippians through our reporting in the hopes that you will be inspired to address the problems we face as a state. Civic engagement has been at the heart of everything we do. There have been criticisms that our reporting-only strategy is passive. To be totally transparent, we can’t disagree with this right now, especially as we examine the race reckoning. We believe that we can do more for you with these essays while remaining true to our civic engagement mission. This will not change the newsroom’s focus or the fact-based journalism Mississippi Today is known for. We will clearly define the reporting styles of our staff from which perspectives we choose. These essays may not be pleasant or easy to read. You may find them uncomfortable and may not agree with many of the things we publish. It’s okay to be uncomfortable with some of the things we publish. This is about the exchange that we will have, and about trying to make Mississippi a better place. We are particularly moved by John Lewis’ words in 2016. He was a former congressman from Mississippi who worked tirelessly for equality for Black voters. Keep going. Tell the truth. Tell the truth. Do not disturb the order of things. Lewis stated that you should find a way to disrupt the order of things. We plan to do that in the crucial days ahead. We want to hear your thoughts, just as we always do. Let’s be kind to each other and not be afraid of tackling wrong. Adam Ganucheau, Editor-in-Chief adam@mississippitoday.org Kayleigh Skinner, Managing Editor kayleigh@mississippitoday.org Support this work and start a recurring donation today in celebration of our Spring Member Drive to help us continue important work like this story.