![Midnight News People Talk logos: circular 'MIDNIGHT NEWS / PEOPLE TALK' emblem and stylized 'PEOPLE Talk' text](https://www.talknatchez.love/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Midnight-News.png")
Large Category
The Lesser-Told Story of the Tougaloo Nine:
“The Tougaloo Nine and the Fight for Equal Access to Public Libraries, 1961.” When most people think of civil rights sit-ins, they envision lunch counters and picket lines. Fewer remember the quiet, deliberate courage of nine students from Tougaloo College who walked into the whites-only Jackson Public Library on March 27, 1961, and read. That “read-in” — which led to arrests, courtroom battles, and national reverberations — sits at the intersection of two essentials: the fight for civil rights and the fight for equal education. This post tells the story of the Tougaloo Nine, explains why libraries mattered, and argues that access to books and information was as central to the movement as voting rights and public accommodations. BlackPast.orgZinn Education Project Why a Library? Why Tougal...
Discovering Motherland: Following History
I recently watched Motherland, a documentary that was nothing short of transformative for me—a sweeping, cinematic journey through the African continent that centers African perspectives, knowledge, and skills. As someone deeply committed to showcasing cultural pride, identity, and the stories that shape us, I feel compelled to bring this experience to you, my readers, in the most intimate, first-person way. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the documentary’s moving portrayal of Africa’s past, present, and future, infused with African wisdom and creative mastery. I’ll share how it challenged my preconceptions, energized my spirit, and deepened my appreciation for our collective legacy. For those searching for insights on African history, Pan-African unity, or the power of narrative ...
40 Acres The Movie
Why I Was Drawn to 40 Acres I still remember the instant the trailer for 40 Acres hit—this post-apocalyptic thriller, drenched in cultural resonance and anchored by Danielle Deadwyler, felt like one of those rare films that invited both adrenaline and deep reflection. As someone passionate about genre films that transcend their tropes, I knew this one demanded my attention. To my delight, 40 Acres—directed by R.T. Thorne and released in U.S. theaters on July 2, 2025—does exactly that. A grounded, emotionally rich survival drama that also serves as an urgent reminder of generational trauma, historical promises, and the meaning of legacy. WikipediaPeople.comSan Francisco ChronicleThe GuardianHouston Chronicle Setting the Scene: More Than Just a Thrill Ride The film thrusts us into a world ra...
Woodlawn Historic District: A Tapestry of African-American Legacy in Natchez
Introduction Tucked in northern Natchez, Mississippi lies the Woodlawn Historic District—a 97-acre, 360-contributing-building neighborhood that stands as a powerful emblem of African-American resilience, community development, and architectural heritage from Reconstruction through World War II. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, Woodlawn’s story spans emancipation, education, civil rights, and artistry—all woven into the very fabric of its streets.WikipediaLiving Places A Post-War Subdivision of Promise What once was the Woodlawn estate of the Beaumont family was subdivided in 1867 into building lots purchased by newly freed African-Americans. This subdivision, bounded by North Union Street, Bishop Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Road, and Woodlawn Street,...
Unveiling of Anne Moody’s Freedom Trail marker set for September 15
By: Roscoe Barnes, III, Visit Natchez The late Anne Moody, author of “Coming of Age in Mississippi,” will soon be honored with a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker in her hometown of Centreville. The marker will be unveiled in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, September 15 at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 8755 Highway 24 East. The event is free to the public. Frances Jefferson, Moody’s sister, said she and her family are elated about the marker. “I’m very excited for the unveiling of the Freedom Trail marker on September 15, Anne’s 85th birthday,” she said. “I’m grateful to everyone involved in securing this honor for my sister.” The Freedom Trail markers are administered by the Mississippi Humanities Council, in partnership with Visit Mississippi. The markers honor the courage and d...
Film Review: Natchez
On August 21, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the screening of Natchez, a new documentary directed by Susannah Herbert. Having met Herbert and members of her crew during production, I was immediately curious about how she would approach a city as layered and complex as ours. Natchez is not simply the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River—it is a place where cultures collided and reshaped one another: French, English, and Spanish influence paving the way to American identity. It is also a city marked by both resilience and trauma, where the lives of enslaved Africans and the destruction of Native Americans are essential to the story of its development. The challenge of any filmmaker is how to tell this history truthfully—without distortion, simplification, or erasure. Too often,...
