Here’s what 106 Jackson teens have to say about their city
With local elections approaching, JYN surveyed public high school students to gauge their opinions on a range of issues. They didn’t hold back.
Illustration by Aubrea Caldwell and Asiah Knotts
JYN Staff Report
As local election season kicks into high gear, our team at the Jackson Youth Newsroom asked high school students across the city to weigh in.
We created and distributed a digital survey to better understand young people’s experiences with key issues and what they would say to the city’s next mayor and council members.
Between March 20 and April 1, we collected 106 survey responses from students ages 13 to 19. About 90% of respondents identified as Black or African American, and 61% identified as female. Students represented every public high school in the city and every ward.
We distributed the survey through QR code flyers and worked with Jackson Public Schools teachers to share it with students. The goal was to better understand how young people see their city—what concerns them, what gives them hope, and what they want local leaders to know.
One theme came through loud and clear: Jackson’s youth want to be heard—and they want more opportunities.
Do you feel there are enough opportunities for you here in Jackson?
Jackson is losing population at among the fastest rates in the country. One reason is “brain drain”—when educated and talented people leave a place for better opportunities elsewhere.
Many survey respondents do not see a future for themselves in Jackson.
How likely are you to stay in Jackson after you finish school?
While some of these students made it clear that they plan to leave Jackson to attend college, many said that the conditions and lack of opportunities in Jackson are driving them away:
“Jackson is crazy. There too many problems.”
“Jackson could be a wonderful city if we had more opportunities here.”
“Jackson is not a place I would like to live because of the local issues and conditions I have observed in my area.”
“It’s very unlikely for me to stay in Jackson after high school due to the atmosphere of the city. It is not a very safe or eventful place to be. I believe that if there were more opportunities and resources for young kids to feel that they can succeed in Jackson; then more kids would be willing to stay in Jackson.”
Students generally rated their high school experience positively. Most concerns focused on a lack of funding and resources, rather than school staff or curriculum.
How do you feel about the overall education quality at your school?
With local elections approaching, we asked students how well they understand how city government works. Responses were mixed: about three-quarters rated their understanding as average or below average.
Seventy-eight percent couldn’t name the ward they live in. As one student put it: “I feel like it’s important that more students are educated and made aware of how the local government operates and what they can do themselves to put their plans and ideas into action.”
How much do you know about how local government works?
Finally, we asked an open-ended question: What would you say to the next mayor and city council?
Students responded with concerns about the issues shaping their daily lives, including infrastructure, education, public safety, and access to youth opportunities. JYN reviewed and tagged each response based on the issue(s) it addressed. The quotes below highlight the top five themes that emerged.
Top 5 Themes
1) Youth Opportunities
Students are asking for more engaging, positive activities and spaces where they feel seen and supported.
“Make more places for youth to hang out.”
“If there was more recreational things to do the youth would be occupied which could decrease crime.”
“Besides giving us 'safe spaces' what can you offer us teens or young adults?”
“Can u make Jackson more fun?”
“I would tell the Mayor to replace abandoned buildings with something fun for the youth.”
“What are you implementing to address stimulating teen activities to keep them from violent situations?”
“Keep in mind, promoting activities that can provide students with a wider range of opportunities (arts, student government, etc.) is important for their motivation to reach their full potential.”
“We need more libraries.”
2) Infrastructure / Roads
Students want the city to prioritize basic repairs—from potholes to pipes—to make Jackson safer and more livable.
“Why can’t the streets be paved in front of our schools?”
“Every storm when trees are on the streets, it takes weeks for them to be removed by the city and I would like this to be rectified.”
“Fix the water and the trash problem. It’s affecting everyone.”
“There's a rift in the road close to my neighborhood that I've busted my tire on and I've noticed them around the neighboring streets. Those seriously need to be fixed.”
“I would ask them what they plan to do about the bus situation. There are some days I don't have a bus to come by my house, despite it being an official bus route. I don't have the same bus driver everyday.”
“Please do something to clean up Jackson it shouldn't look like a trash dump...”
“The biggest issue in my neighborhood is the street. Instead of completely renewing them, they just but a top coat of cement which over time collapses in. It’s a fix but only for a certain amount of time.”
“I would ask for recycling and the roads to get fixed.”
“We need to get potholes fixed and schools should be looking way better.”
3) Crime and Safety
Students want safer neighborhoods and real plans to address persistent crime.
“I’d ask how they would help provide and maintain safe neighborhoods for people to live in.”
“What can you do to lower violence and increase security in our neighborhoods?”
“Is the quality of our lives important to you? During your term, will you express that you want change through your words or through your actions? With the potholes and the constant shootings, it seems like our safety is constantly in question and that we hold no priority to those in charge. If you care, make the efforts that we need for our city to become a community.”
“Stop shootings.”
“What will you do to decrease crime and make people in Jackson feel safer?”
“One big thing would be the crime rate. If there was more recreational things to do the youth would be occupied which could decrease crime. The police could work with better funding and pay. As a youth I’d feel a lot safer.”
4) Education
Students want better-funded schools, stronger support for Jackson Public Schools, and greater access to college and career opportunities.
“I would ask what they’re doing to bring forth more funding to JPS schools.”
“I would say they should take JPS district more seriously… it’s sad other schools have cool things and we don’t.”
“We don't get ANY field trips, pep rallies, parties or anything.”
“How do you plan to enhance the accessibility and visibility of scholarships and grants for students?”
“Create more opportunities for students to get to college.”
“Why is there so little public school funding?”
“Give more attention to JPS. There are a lot of good things that come from it that get overshadowed by private schools. That makes the morale low and drops the success rate of JPS.”
“I would ask the mayor to provide new supplies, instruments and paper to students because the teachers at schools always talking bad about how we never have pencils or paper or folders or any binders but they don’t understand how stubborn or poor parents can be.”
5) Economic Development
Students want more job opportunities and greater investment in their neighborhoods.
“What are your plans on making it more appealing to keep Jackson talent here in the workforce?”
“I would ask why are the businesses so slim in Jackson.”
“How will you ensure that higher education institutions are aligned with workforce needs in the city, so all students—regardless of background—have access to good jobs?”
“Why are other neighborhoods receiving my funding than mine?”
“I would discuss their plans money-wise as it pertains to bringing more money for Jackson and keeping it in Jackson for the right reasons.”
“How would you raise money or find a way to get Jackson out of poverty? What steps would you take to ensure that we the people have clean pipes, safe roads, a safer environment, and a less polluted city?”
“I would ask him about why some areas look worse than others even though we’ve spent so much money on them.”
“Are you willing to protect our assets and keep Jackson owned by Jackson and not by Mississippi?”
Stay tuned for more JYN coverage of youth voices in the lead-up to municipal elections. Subscribe to our newsletter below and follow @jacksonyouthnews on Instagram.
