Otis Sanford
Sanford: My big brother Louis’ courage, influence and love will never be forgotten
“Louis had such a dominant influence on my life – perhaps even more than my parents. And I always wanted to be just like him.”
Otis Sanford
Columnist
Otis Sanford is professor emeritus of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis and political commentator for WATN-TV ABC24 News. Contact him at o.sanford@memphis.edu.
There are 248 articles by Otis Sanford :
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December 2022
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Otis Sanford
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November 2022
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Otis SanfordSanford: Renaming VA Medical Center for Luke Weathers appropriate honor
“And there is no Memphian, past or present, more deserving of the recognition. Weathers’ story is one of resilience, courage, perseverance and heroism.”
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Otis Sanford Sanford: Two words best describe Lee’s impressive reelection victory — BlueOval City
In Tennessee, it was GOP business as usual following Tuesday’s midterm election. The legislature remains under total control by Republicans and Gov. Bill Lee cruised to reelection without breaking a sweat.
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Otis Sanford Sanford: If colleges can consider family legacy in admissions, why not race?
Diversity in many forms should be a compelling societal interest. And race should be one of several factors used in making hiring decisions.
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October 2022
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Otis Sanford Sanford: Brent Taylor’s ‘radical left’ ad belies his reputation as a conciliator
“With all that cash and goodwill going for him, Taylor could easily take the high road, the 100% positive road, to a smooth Election Day victory.”
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Otis Sanford Sanford: With reelection all but assured, is higher office possible for Gov. Lee?
Recent speculation has focused on Gov. Bill Lee being a possible national candidate for elected office in the future — if not in 2024, then in 2028.
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Otis Sanford Sanford: GOP leaders pushing hard for ‘right to work’ amendment, but are unions really that bad?
“I’ve witnessed shameless corporate greed and blatant union nepotism. And on balance, I believe the positives of organized labor outweigh the negatives.”
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Otis Sanford Sanford: Capitol rioter from Millington isn’t only one conned by persuader-in-chief
“At least Sandlin and others who stormed the Capitol are now admitting their wrongs and are facing the consequences. I’m still waiting for the deniers holding elected office to come to their senses.”
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Otis Sanford Sanford: 60 years after integration of Ole Miss, this Black graduate comes full circle
At a time when politicians are doing their darnedest to run away from our racial history by censoring it in schools, Ole Miss deserves accolades for treating the 60th anniversary of James Meredith’s enrollment with the pomp and circumstance that it deserves.
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September 2022
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Otis Sanford Sanford: For next year’s crucial city election, only serious candidates need apply
While the November midterm election is shaping up to be a real snoozer locally, the Memphis mayoral election on Oct. 5, 2023, is fast becoming the most consequential mayoral race in more than 30 years.
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Otis Sanford Sanford: Fighting crime requires real solutions, not political grandstanding and finger-pointing
Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, MPD and the TBI all share the responsibility for our failure to reduce local crime. But their responses in the aftermath of an incredibly tragic week are not good enough.
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Otis Sanford Sanford: A caring lawyer, a ruthless youth offender and, 22 years later, a heartbreaking homicide
One was an attorney who used the law to make a positive difference in society. The other was a gun-wielding juvenile delinquent. Their paths crossed on the evening of May 25, 2000, and now, 22 years later, it serves as an eerie backstory to the tragic kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher.
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August 2022
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Otis Sanford Sanford: As Sugarmon assumes Juvenile Court judgeship, a different history begins
Tarik Sugarmon ushers in a new era for Juvenile Court in Memphis and Shelby County.
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Otis Sanford Sanford: Credibility expired — Halbert no longer capable of running clerk’s office
“But at some point, every adult needs something from the county clerk. And what we need most now is efficiency — something Halbert promised when she ran for mayor in 2009 but is clearly incapable of delivering.”
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Otis SanfordSanford: GOP dominance in Tennessee sprouted in ’94, accelerated in ’08
“Many rural Tennesseans will no doubt argue, as Ronald Reagan did in 1962, that they did not leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left them. I respectfully disagree.”
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Opinion Sanford: Election outcome was emphatic message of rejection to the GOP
“An overwhelming majority of local voters believe Republicans have allowed the inmates to run the asylum. And the local party is paying the price.”
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July 2022
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Otis Sanford Sanford: With the election in the home stretch, here are the races to watch
“A lot is at stake up and down the ballot. And it’s important that all eligible voters voice their choice.”
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Otis SanfordSanford: Beloved faith leader’s murder should be catalyst to end gun violence
“Police alone also can’t stop the violence. It will require a community-wide effort. And that includes the faith community.”
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Otis SanfordSanford: Will Strickland’s popularity outweigh voter preference in term limit referendum?
Memphis voters have tended to favor incumbents. Since the mid-1960s, only three sitting mayors have been denied reelection.
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City of Memphis Strickland will seek third term if Memphis voters approve term limit referendum
The referendum extending the number of consecutive four-year terms from two to three will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot. Early voting begins Friday, July 15.
Related story:
Memphis mayor potentials recalculate after Strickland announces possible third term
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Otis SanfordSanford: Gov. Lee was wrong in failing to defend teachers against unwarranted attacks
“Why would he just sit idly by and allow an outsider to trash Tennessee teachers and Tennessee colleges?”
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ElectionsSanford: Party loyalty, prosecutorial philosophy will dictate outcome of DA’s race
Republican incumbent Amy Weirich is in a fierce battle with Democratic challenger Steve Mulroy as she seeks to hang on to the job of Shelby County’s top prosecutor for another eight years.
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June 2022
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Otis SanfordSanford: Don’t change state standards for teaching social studies
“I’ve always been told that if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Tennessee’s standards for teaching social studies are not broken. Far from it. They offer students a comprehensive and accurate view of our world, past and present, warts and all.”
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Otis SanfordSanford: 50 years after Watergate, truth and accountability still matter
Like Richard Nixon, Donald Trump is criminally corrupt and unfit to hold office. Sadly, millions of Americans still refuse to believe the truth.
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Otis SanfordSanford: There was always more to former Sen. Bill Frist than meets the eye
Frist is trying to infuse compassion, reasonableness and a spirit of compromise into Republicans in Congress who, on the issue of gun safety, are seemingly heartless.
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