Chris O'Conner learned at a young age that he and his best friend couldn't play with the same toys. One that looked like a knife "could cost little black boys their life."

The notion that low taxes are good for Memphis is a bill of goods, more hollow than the Pyramid and less financially sound. Low taxes help the richest in our society and hurt the rest of us.

Those who are hardest hit do not have the power or resources to change the economic, educational, health care and criminal justice systems. Even our democracy, which should have the potential to be an equalizer, is fundamentally broken and in many cases, morally bankrupt.

We, the leaders of the health care systems in the Mid-South, recognize that we must continue to do better in reaching at-risk populations. We must develop more effective intervention strategies. We must make engaging with our system easier and more practical.

Few of us who are not black have truly seen the lack of understanding captured by the pervasive question on social media: “Why are they so mad?”

The primary metric that was supposed to guide our decisions isn’t moving in the right direction. It wasn’t telling us what we wanted to hear, so it appears as if we’re choosing to ignore it. 

Critics point out that these tragedies occurred outside of Memphis. They also complain that activists should focus on issues such as joblessness, educational deficits and crime. But in times of crisis, public protest is essential.

Physical distancing and wearing masks will not prevent the rising number of people who do not have health insurance.

In recent years, spending has begun to exceed revenue — a structural imbalance that is unsustainable over time without property tax increases.

To date, four independent studies – including one also financed by MLGW – have come to the same conclusion that if Memphis would leave TVA and join MISO, the city could save up to $450 million a year.

The ceremony was small, it was held outdoors, and everyone was wearing masks – masks that did nothing to dampen the beautiful and poignant sentiments occupying this space.

If we want Tennessee to be one of the fastest growing states for business and have the best patient outcomes in the country, reforming — or, better yet, completely scrapping — certificate of need laws is an excellent and essential first step.

We must not allow social distancing to lead to dangerous social isolation. The recovery community is aware of the challenges created by COVID-19, and making sure resources are available for those who need them.

If America wants to contain the coronavirus, it is necessary to avoid creating a revolving door of aggravating conditions, such as homelessness. Displacing renters amid the coronavirus outbreak could intensify the transmission of the disease.

On Memphis’ most visible 31 acres, the redesigned park “will be the stunning centerpiece of five miles of riverfront.”

Easy access to guns has brought on an epidemic that has injured or taken the lives of more citizens, including children, than the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mother wanted to reschedule her son’s appointment from May to July or August. 'Why did she want to do this? I knew the answer. Fear resonated in her voice – fear of getting out. She and her family had been isolated at home since March.'

When we get into buying big stuff, like $20 billion to $25 billion worth of electricity, there are laws and rules, conventions, traditions and common sense that apply. One of these is getting competitive bids from more than one capable bidder.

'Despite our financial soundness, everyone in Shelby County soon will be paying more in property taxes unless my colleagues on the County Commission embrace a serious reality check regarding the shortfall in the county’s general fund.'

Poets, artists and musicians historically have been able to speak the truth when the truth is hard to come by, and sometimes do more more to help people through the crises they face than so-called experts.

Finding a light when things are so dark is what scientists do, and this is how society will think (not just spend) our way out of this pandemic and all its consequences.

Smaller class sizes, class time spent teaching instead of dealing with behavioral problems, and a rigorous college-prep curriculum were important to me. But times change, and different students thrive in different environments.

Like the lottery for military service during the Vietnam War, what if there was a lottery of a certain number from other segments of society — with no exceptions allowed — who would serve on the meatpacking lines for a month?

Yes, covering your nose and mouth with a mask is annoying. Yes, it causes your glasses to fog. Yes, it makes communication more difficult. And yes, it stops the spread of disease.

The lack of a national plan to deal with the pandemic led to a disorganized and uncoordinated set of responses. Project Apollo and the Manhattan Project show what we can do when the response to a challenge is unified.