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 254 articles by Otis Sanford :
During the Tyre Nichols funeral, the forceful messages from the pulpit and soul-stirring music from the choir celebrated Nichols’ life, but the service also became a spark for a renewed call for police reform — locally and nationally.
Memphians, who already feel beleaguered by violent crime that at times seems out of control, must now come to grips with the fact that elements within the police department — however small — are partakers of criminal violence themselves.
Voters who show up for the District 86 race could serve as a bellwether for whether Memphians are ready to elect a new generation of political leaders or if they are content to stick with familiar names who have been around local politics and government for decades.
For the sake of all of us who believe cleanliness is indeed next to godliness, let’s make a commitment in the new year to support the cleanup efforts in Memphis.
Barring some technicality in the law, there is nothing complicated about whether there is a link between Alicia Franklin’s rape and Eliza Fletcher’s murder.
“Far too many college students — and older adults, for that matter — know little, if anything, about the Court, its history, its unfettered power, who’s on it and how they got there.”
“Louis had such a dominant influence on my life – perhaps even more than my parents. And I always wanted to be just like him.”
“And there is no Memphian, past or present, more deserving of the recognition. Weathers’ story is one of resilience, courage, perseverance and heroism.”
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.
Diversity in many forms should be a compelling societal interest. And race should be one of several factors used in making hiring decisions.
“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.”
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.
“I’ve witnessed shameless corporate greed and blatant union nepotism. And on balance, I believe the positives of organized labor outweigh the negatives.”
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tarik Sugarmon ushers in a new era for Juvenile Court in Memphis and Shelby County.
“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.”
“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.”
“An overwhelming majority of local voters believe Republicans have allowed the inmates to run the asylum. And the local party is paying the price.”
“A lot is at stake up and down the ballot. And it’s important that all eligible voters voice their choice.”
“Police alone also can’t stop the violence. It will require a community-wide effort. And that includes the faith community.”
Memphis voters have tended to favor incumbents. Since the mid-1960s, only three sitting mayors have been denied reelection.