It’s time to take your mind on an adventure with Readin’ Rain-Bro! Join him as he shares with us a Christmas holiday story.
Readin’ Rain-Bro: “Greetings, fellow readers! Today, I want to share with you a thought-provoking story called ‘Merry Christmas, Philmo Jones: An Urban Professional’s Wet Dream’ by Kizzie-Mae ‘Rolinda X’ Toby, wife of Kunta ‘Rasheed X.’ Also, Lynne Cheney writes a poignant Standard English introduction.
“Philmo lost his job about two years ago. His car got repossessed and his home foreclosed. Grandma Pookie motivated Philmo to get out of his rut, get up off of his educated butt and find a job at Crunchie Burga World. As he worked part-time cleaning bathrooms and picking up trash, he taught the customer service cashiers how to make change and master business math. Also, with his support, the shift managers submitted the best monthly reports. At corporate headquarters, C.E.O.s wondered what was going on. How could such a crappy franchise suddenly be so efficient and strong?
“So, on Christmas Eve the C.E.O.s moved real fast to Crunchie Burga World to see this Philmo, a good employee, perform various tasks such as mopping floors and counting cash. Impressed with his work ethic they gave him a great job offer to work as a nationwide franchise supervisor at $60,000. Interrupted by the ring of a lone alarm clock, Philmo woke up from his dream during his cigarette break at Wal-Mart. Merry Christmas, Philmo Jones! The end.”
Ken Stiggers is a TV producer in Jackson and co-host of The Lyric Lounge Thursday nightsat Santiago’s
Previous Comments
This is Stiggers thanking the people who read the stuff I write each week for the JFP. Thanks to my good sis Donna Ladd and Bro. Todd for encouraging me to start this column about 3 years ago. I just found out that my old college roomate, who lives in Washington, D.C., keep up with my columns in the JFP. I truly appreciate this outlet. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
#71172 | Author: Stiggers | Date: Dec 17 2005
Hey, thanks for giving us, your readers, this periodic treat – even when we don’t let you know that we’re reading it, we’re still here. I enjoyed this one, but I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the end, ’cause it cuts pretty close to the bone. Keep on trucking, Rain-bro (but stop letting Lynn Cheney so close to the action).
#71173 | Author: C.W. | Date: Dec 18 2005
My intention with this column is to stirr up some mixed emotions– I believe– the readers may have during such a catastropic year. In 2005, I see a very cold and apathetic society. Philmo represents the middle class individual turned working class. In 2005 Philmo–like many displaced individuals in this country– is like Ralph Ellison’s invisible man whose dream has been deferred. In other words, common, everyday people are hurting within a society in denial. And when you hurt , you need to express your pain in order to progress in life. This is what I do sometimes with this column. Nevertheless, i hope my expressions help and heal the readers. Also, thanks C.W. for what you do for the city’s artistic community. I tryly appreciate your readership. Peace,love and universal understanding Ken
#71174 | Author: Stiggers | Date: Dec 19 2005
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.