The Mississippi Free Press is committed to fostering dialogue across race, ethnicity, economic status, political parties, gender and religious beliefs. MFP’s Solutions Circles help provide a platform for these conversations where Mississippians can not only address challenges but also imagine solutions. MFP is continuing to hold Solutions Circles across all of our bureaus, from the Delta to Jackson to the Gulf Coast.

The Mississippi Free Press and the Mississippi Youth Media Project convened a virtual Solutions Circle on June 18, 2026, with about 22 attendees to discuss gun violence and brainstorm solutions. Our student reporters listened in on these conversations and took notes on the issues and potential solutions participants proposed. Our YMP students will be using this experience as part of their summer projects.

Circle 1: Gun Violence Reporting

This circle discussed how the rush to break news often breaks communities. From negatively exposing minors online before they are charged and sometimes when they are innocent to dehumanizing people caught in supposed gang violence, the current media landscape can be harmful. There are also the added complexities of social media and its ability to make unverified accusations go viral. This group discussed the challenges and some solutions to hold media accountable.

Problems:

  • Minors are often flashed across the news as suspects before being proven guilty, or even before being charged. This happened recently in Magee, Miss
  • Those involved in gang violence are portrayed in ways that strip them of their humanity
  • Social media has increased the quick spread of negative comments, incorrect information and premature accusations

Solutions:

  • Media outlets should ensure that photos of minors are only displayed once they are charged or found guilty
  • Seminars on how to identify gang-related situations and how to properly use media in a positive way
  • Social media platforms should be held responsible for graphic photos being posted
  • Holding media accountable for misuse and wrong information of pictures, comments, etc
  • Don’t be first, be right

Circle 2: The Community’s Role in Violence Intervention

This circle discussed how communities are integral to violence intervention yet face issues like underfunded schools, systemic racism, a lack of mental healthcare and few third spaces. They looked at the challenges facing our communities in their battle against violence and solutions for lasting healing.

Problems:

  • A lack of engagement for community members
  • Not enough education around conflict resolution 
  • Systemic racism
  • Denied resources 
  • Community members do not trust police or organizations 
  • Lack of opportunities
  • Underfunded schools 
  • Trauma response inadequate or non-existent
  • Gun laws
  • Lack of coordination by community partners 
  • Role models and mentors are lacking in many areas
  • Pathway to punishment 
  • Economic development (parent resources/support) 
  • Systemic racism 

Solutions:

  • Mental healthcare 
  • Advocate safe spaces for mental health 
  • 3rd spaces: home, school, 3rd spaces 
  • More resources and tax dollars go back into schools 
  • Conflict resolution and coregulation training
  • Racism
  • Building community for the next generation 
  • There is a lack of trust for police.
  • Police should engage more with youth outside their position as an officer.
  • Lack of opportunities
  • more funding
  • School – extracurricular activities (sports, arts, music, shop, paint club)
  • College career readiness
  • Parental involvement and engagement with teachers 
  • Creating a community response to violence 

Circle 3: Guns

This circle discussed the role of guns in violence. They discussed topics ranging from gun access and the historically unequal application of the Second Amendment to the barriers cities and communities face, like concentrated poverty or a lack of basic needs and environmental factors. This group examined the complex challenges surrounding guns and solutions to make communities safer. 

Problems:

  • The unequal reality of the Second Amendment
  • The historical reasons why Black people need weapons to protect themselves
  • Perception: Example – Philando Castile was a registered gun owner but still killed. On the other hand, Kyle Rittenhouse was said to be acting in self-defense when he brought a gun to a rally 
  • Environmental factors. For example, studies show that exposure to lead paint can cause aggression
  • Easy access to guns
  • Concentrated poverty
  • A lack of jobs
  • A lack of access to vehicles and auto theft 
  • A lack of housing
  • Increased food deserts
  • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs makes people say, “If I don’t have it, I’ve got to get it.”

Solutions:

  • Educate people about their rights under the Second Amendment
  • Promote unity and togetherness
  • Increase the number of third-party spaces, more (events, etc.) to normalize gathering 
  • Publicize more happenings in cities, not just the negative ones
  • “Everyone Loves Rice” books can be incorporated into homes and classrooms.
  • More mentors and coaches available to mentor young people

Read more about our Solutions Circles here.

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Mississippi Violence Project logo

The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the Mississippi Violence Project, 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.

➡️ Read more stories from the Capital City Bureau here.

The mission of the Mississippi Free Press, a new nonprofit journalism website and multimedia network that launched in March 2020, is to publish deep public-interest reporting into causes of and solutions to the social, political and structural challenges facing all Mississippians and their communities. Mississippians need to know each other across regions and share our challenges and solutions despite geographic and other differences. We are introducing Mississippians to each other through our deep accountability reporting and compelling people-focused storytelling, and by convening online and physical “solutions circles,” using our statewide networks to ensure inclusivity and representation.