Communities

USA Today

"For those long years of struggle that we had here, we were all able to work together for one goal and purpose... to see the accomplishment of this," Cubert Bell said of the now-sovereign land formed by Choctaw sharecroppers. 

Photo: Creative Commons

Memphis Commercial Appeal/USA Today

"It was a mixture of sad and joy. So we took the best part of it and we moved through life with it. And that was joy. We took the joy and moved through life," Everlena Yarbrough said of being reunited with her mother during their Great Migration.

Related: Retirees & Refugees: How 93-year-old Julia Allen builds community through ESL | In senior housing, climate change is turning air conditioning into a matter of life and death 

Photo: Sarah Macaraeg

Memphis Commercial Appeal/USA Today

"Ramadan is also a time for reaching out," said Dr. Abdul Alim Khandekar.."We feel like one of the problems we have among different ethnic groups is that we don't know enough about each other," he said.

Or, as Imren Khan sums up: "We’re trying to make the world a better place, one friendship at a time."

Photo: Saira Sikandar, Memphis Interfaith

Memphis Commercial Appeal/USA Today

"At this pace, our main thing is, for this effort that we're putting out — for the company to have a level of respect in what we're doing. Everyone is tired. But we're still coming in and make everything happen, knowing the necessity of what's going on [as demand skyrockets amid lockdowns]. We're giving you 12 hours every night. The appreciation you show us is a $300 bonus. After taxes is over, $200. It's a billion dollar company. —Rodney Jones

Related: Stripped of hazard pay, Kroger workers challenge company's 'return to normal' | A Memphis warehouse worker helped spur a new pregnancy policy. Now she wants a law

Photo: Sarah Macaraeg

Associated Press

“It’s been sweat and blood being able to manage 2.5 acres right. It’s not scale-able for profit purposes,” Sylvia Martinez said of the farming operation. “It’s scale-able for learning purposes and for experimentation and developing new ideas.”

Related: How the Carpenter Art Garden created a haven for Memphis youth

"If I could be here 24/7, I'd be here 24/7," said high school student Donté Davis. 

"It's possible you can do anything you put your mind to do. But if you don't get the opportunity to do it, there ain't no sense," he said.  "If you come to the art garden, you'll get the opportunity. Guarantee you."

Photo: Sarah Macaraeg

PRI: The World

“They treated us like animals, like cows at a dairy,” said Roberto de Jesus Gonzalez, a longtime New Mexico resident and father of three who says he was arrested by ICE at his local courthouse, before being detained for three months at the Otero County ICE Processing Center.

Related: “A black hole of due process” in New Mexico | Inside a private prison's $150 M deal to detain immigrants in New Mexico

'We live as second-class citizens': What's it like to face border agents every day.

Photo: Sara MacNeil