Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Opinion - Otis Sanford

Brilliance, courage defined journalist, and amigo, Karanja Ajanaku

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:27:17 -0500

One day in late May 1977, a young Black man took a seat at a desk for his first day as a reporter at The Commercial Appeal.

Sanford: We can welcome Musk to Memphis without embracing his views

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Mon, 9 Dec 2024 18:15:33 -0600

The billionaire owner of SpaceX and the largest shareholder of Tesla Inc. has been heavily criticized for being tolerant of antisemitic and white nationalist content on the X platform since he bought it in 2022.

Sanford: Talk of rejecting federal education dollars is an exercise in lunacy

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 04:00:07 -0500

“No other state has been successful in turning down federal education money, so Tennessee is plowing new ground with this wrong-headed, purely political sideshow.”

Sanford: Young's mayoral victory signals clear generational change

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 6 Oct 2023 15:12:00 -0500

“There is no indication that younger voters went to the polls in any significant numbers. But many of those who did show up clearly favored Young.”

Sanford: It's crunch time in mayor's race. But interest is far outpacing turnout.

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:00:07 -0500

“This is a crucial election. And it’s important that voters get it right. It’s also important that turnout starts to match the interest. So undecided voters, make up your mind.”

District 86 election marked by generational divide: The TikTok era vs. the Walkman age

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 09:26:26 -0600

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.

Sanford: Two words best describe Lee's impressive reelection victory — BlueOval City

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 04:00:04 -0600

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.

Sanford: If colleges can consider family legacy in admissions, why not race?

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 3 Nov 2022 15:01:16 -0500

Diversity in many forms should be a compelling societal interest. And race should be one of several factors used in making hiring decisions.

Sanford: Brent Taylor's 'radical left' ad belies his reputation as a conciliator

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:34:09 -0500

“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.”

Sanford: With reelection all but assured, is higher office possible for Gov. Lee?

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 04:00:15 -0500

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.

Sanford: GOP leaders pushing hard for 'right to work' amendment, but are unions really that bad?

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:58:06 -0500

“I’ve witnessed shameless corporate greed and blatant union nepotism. And on balance, I believe the positives of organized labor outweigh the negatives.”

Sanford: Capitol rioter from Millington isn't only one conned by persuader-in-chief

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 6 Oct 2022 04:00:02 -0500

“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.”

Sanford: 60 years after integration of Ole Miss, this Black graduate comes full circle

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Tue, 4 Oct 2022 15:35:50 -0500

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.

Sanford: For next year's crucial city election, only serious candidates need apply

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 04:00:02 -0500

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.

Sanford: Fighting crime requires real solutions, not political grandstanding and finger-pointing

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 04:00:04 -0500

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.

Sanford: A caring lawyer, a ruthless youth offender and, 22 years later, a heartbreaking homicide

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 15:23:05 -0500

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.

Sanford: As Sugarmon assumes Juvenile Court judgeship, a different history begins

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:11:46 -0500

Tarik Sugarmon ushers in a new era for Juvenile Court in Memphis and Shelby County.

Sanford: Credibility expired — Halbert no longer capable of running clerk's office

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:27:22 -0500

“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.”

Sanford: Election outcome was emphatic message of rejection to the GOP

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Fri, 5 Aug 2022 12:07:45 -0500

“An overwhelming majority of local voters believe Republicans have allowed the inmates to run the asylum. And the local party is paying the price.”

Sanford: With the election in the home stretch, here are the races to watch

o.sanford@memphis.edu (Otis Sanford) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 04:00:10 -0500

“A lot is at stake up and down the ballot. And it’s important that all eligible voters voice their choice.”