The Mississippi Link newspaper has been an interesting and trying endeavor. 17 years. WOW!
The Link has supported the African American community at-large. I would, however, say that the majority community has shown consistent interest in our product, providing the fuel that allows us to grow and support others in so many different ways.
The paper was created for the exact reason it is fulfilling and that is to chronicle the achievements, triumphs, defeats and despair of our community. We continue to cover stories and publish pictures that our readership will treasure through our vast archives and online access.
Our community is changing and the needs of the press have changed along with those of our readers.
Our founding fathers had the need to keep the people informed so that they could mount an opposition to the terror that was being thrust upon them. The message was to resist at all cost and to hold on to the principles of freedom.
The black press played a critical role in abolishing slavery and its oppressors. We now face a new terror in our community and that is one of apathy and low self-esteem. We must now teach pride and self-respect and the best way to do that is to involve the press and all media that have access to our children and their thought process.
These are tough economic times for all businesses and individuals. We have to find more efficient ways of doing business. We can no longer afford the inefficiencies that permeate our business. In the past, businesses may have been profitable enough to carry underperforming endeavors and bloated staffing levels. I know that we have, on many occasions, hired individuals because they needed a job as opposed to the business needing employees. We can no longer afford this behavior in this economy. We must invest wisely in both capitol equipment and labor if we are to survive.
Technology is the answer to long-term profitability however it does nothing for an under-educated workforce. If we are to survive, we must retrain our community to avail itself of the latest technology.
Congratulations to The Link for its survival and the dedication of its staff to persevere when times did not look promising. We are most proud of the memories that we will share with generations to come.
Be the first to comment