Racism to Reconciliation Archives - Page 2 of 13

But for Randall Kenan

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 7, 2025. Posted in Featured, Racism to Reconciliation. 2 Comments on But for Randall Kenan

I would never have known what literary journalism was but for Randall Kenan. When I saw the subject matter he was teaching, I groaned. I could not imagine something I wanted less to do with. But Randall was at the University of Memphis as a visiting professor. I couldn’t believe I had the chance to learn under him, even if I would only...

My Tennis Role Model

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 5, 2025. Posted in Featured, Racism to Reconciliation. 10 Comments on My Tennis Role Model

I played competitive tennis as a child. That’s a fancy way of saying I played in tournaments, traveled to regional cities to compete, and followed my rankings in the Southeast. I began playing at a young age. I was seven years old when my sister began at eight–my mother wanted us to take lessons at the same time, so the pro let me...

Right to Serve

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 4, 2025. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. No Comments on Right to Serve

Twice, I’ve been called to jury duty. The first time, I was dismissed because my ex-law partners were trying the case. The next time, I refused to agree to convict someone if it meant an automatic life sentence without chance for parole. Both times, I was ready and grateful to be on the jury. I wanted to exercise the right to serve. A...

Black History Month by Me

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 2, 2025. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 8 Comments on Black History Month by Me

Okay, guys, I missed February 1st. But they say don’t sacrifice the good-enough to the perfect. This year, 2025, as the Federal government works tirelessly to pretend no merit resides in anyone but straight white males, I will during Black History Month blog on how extraordinary Black Americans have impacted my personal history. Short...

The Blank Spot in our Brains.

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on January 4, 2025. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 6 Comments on The Blank Spot in our Brains.

Thank you to Tod Davies and Exterminating Angel Press for publishing this excerpt from my as-yet unnamed memoir-in-progress. “The Blank Spot in our Brains” opens with a story about my mother and veers off from there. The short piece explores how hard it is to accept information we don’t want to be true. I now have four...

Weekend of Remembrance

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on December 16, 2024. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 6 Comments on Weekend of Remembrance

Please enjoy these photos from the recent Weekend of Remembrance in Vicksburg. Dr. Albert Dorsey, Jr. at Bethel AME Church discussing the Massacres at the Weekend of Remembrance Dr. Beth Kruse at the church speaking about the impact of the Massacres Rev. Andy Andrews at the Vicksburg National Park Libation Ceremony on Saturday of the...

Mississippi Free Press and Me

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on November 29, 2024. Posted in Featured, Racism to Reconciliation. 14 Comments on Mississippi Free Press and Me

Yesterday, on the day of Thanksgiving in America, the Mississippi Free Press Voices published my essay, “Nearing Vicksburg: Examine What You Think is True.” I’m not going to tell y’all a lot about it, because I want you to experience it for yourself. Just know this: I’m a little Piglet when it comes to publishing...

How Haiti Made the USA

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on November 1, 2024. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 5 Comments on How Haiti Made the USA

Y’all know hateful politicians aren’t denigrating Haitian refugees at random. They aren’t even choosing them just because in the brain of everlasting racists they’re Black refugees. Haitians are being denigrated because they are Haitian. And y’all know why racists hate Haiti, right? Haiti beat Napoleon. Oh,...

President for Everyone

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 14, 2024. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 1 Comment on President for Everyone

When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, I waited for him to pivot from campaigning to being president. Take the win and move forward. I was shocked when he chose to keep doing his rallies. Now we know the rallies feed his self-definition. The adulation, the cheering at his remarks. He loves his rallies. It quickly became clear back then he had...

Nearing Vicksburg

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 7, 2024. Posted in Featured, General, Racism to Reconciliation. 4 Comments on Nearing Vicksburg

I drove the narrow, wooded road until nearing Vicksburg where the green overhang opened up to cotton and soybean fields. The road into town, Clay Street, drops you right off at the Vicksburg National Park. The Civil War siege of Vicksburg, and the city’s July 4th, 1863, surrender gave Union forces control over the Mississippi River. The...