My Mississippi...truly a southern culture.
Posted 07-24-2008 at 12:02 AM by aiangel_writer
Recently I ventured into my state forum to catch up on what was being posted.
I read so many posts that were negative about our state. So many people dissing us, and our culture and way of life.
It made me wonder what brought them, if they moved here, here in the first place, and why the others were still here.
I live in a Southern state that has a past that does not paint a great picture of us. The movie industry has chosen to make movies centered on this and ignored any positive impact that might show others we are more than that part of our history.
Our people have stived to overcome the atrocities that many endured during the civil rights ear. Our current situation has improved in many areas, including people of different race and creed.
Yet, I do admit, there are still those who will never let go of this part of our past. I am happy to report, we are seeing less and less of them though.
Our great state has some of the most beautiful acerage in the US. From the mighty Mississippi River and the poverty of the Delta, one can see threads of hope and prosparity. The rich soil of the delta has produced some of the best blues musicians ever, and blues clubs proudly keep that tridition alive.
Talent abounds in our history as well as our present day lives. From Oprah to Faith; John Grisham to Faulker; Sela to Delta; Morgan to Charlie Pride to LeAnn Rhimes to ELVIS....our history in authors/singers/and stars runs deep.
Yet, no one wants to recognize these accomplishments, more intent on focusing on the negative.
Katrina was an act of mother nature that allowed the world a brief glimpse of the resliance of our people....this was a tragedy that brought out the best in so many people, neighbor helping neighbor--whether they be Asian, Mexican, black or white--all came together to endure the many endless months of slow rebuilding--lives as well as homes.
The best of our great citizens came out showcasing a vastly different side of us, yet one that many forgot as soon as the next great story hit the headlines.
Shep Smith, a Holly Springs MS native broadcast many a program from our battered shores, showing the determination and strength of our people. Pride in our state rose and us here in the Northern part of the state found ways to help our brothers and sisters down South.
None of this is portrayed in the forum for people to see. This saddens me.
It's constant griping on how slow we are here, laid back and beating to our own drum. Ah, yeah, that is how we've always been. We are much different from major cities, because we choose to be.
Our Southern upbringing upholds integrity, hospitality and politeness and is bred into us. Yet, this is most always shown as a negative when we know it is a positive.
So, if you have the chance, check out our great state and see her beauty from the rolling hills of North Mississippi, to the black and fertile soil of the delta, to the battle scarred Gulf Coast. Mississippi gets into ones blood, haunts you and enables you to fall in love with her charm and geentile Southern ways. Y'all will be welcomed with a friendliness that is hard to believe.
I read so many posts that were negative about our state. So many people dissing us, and our culture and way of life.
It made me wonder what brought them, if they moved here, here in the first place, and why the others were still here.
I live in a Southern state that has a past that does not paint a great picture of us. The movie industry has chosen to make movies centered on this and ignored any positive impact that might show others we are more than that part of our history.
Our people have stived to overcome the atrocities that many endured during the civil rights ear. Our current situation has improved in many areas, including people of different race and creed.
Yet, I do admit, there are still those who will never let go of this part of our past. I am happy to report, we are seeing less and less of them though.
Our great state has some of the most beautiful acerage in the US. From the mighty Mississippi River and the poverty of the Delta, one can see threads of hope and prosparity. The rich soil of the delta has produced some of the best blues musicians ever, and blues clubs proudly keep that tridition alive.
Talent abounds in our history as well as our present day lives. From Oprah to Faith; John Grisham to Faulker; Sela to Delta; Morgan to Charlie Pride to LeAnn Rhimes to ELVIS....our history in authors/singers/and stars runs deep.
Yet, no one wants to recognize these accomplishments, more intent on focusing on the negative.
Katrina was an act of mother nature that allowed the world a brief glimpse of the resliance of our people....this was a tragedy that brought out the best in so many people, neighbor helping neighbor--whether they be Asian, Mexican, black or white--all came together to endure the many endless months of slow rebuilding--lives as well as homes.
The best of our great citizens came out showcasing a vastly different side of us, yet one that many forgot as soon as the next great story hit the headlines.
Shep Smith, a Holly Springs MS native broadcast many a program from our battered shores, showing the determination and strength of our people. Pride in our state rose and us here in the Northern part of the state found ways to help our brothers and sisters down South.
None of this is portrayed in the forum for people to see. This saddens me.
It's constant griping on how slow we are here, laid back and beating to our own drum. Ah, yeah, that is how we've always been. We are much different from major cities, because we choose to be.
Our Southern upbringing upholds integrity, hospitality and politeness and is bred into us. Yet, this is most always shown as a negative when we know it is a positive.
So, if you have the chance, check out our great state and see her beauty from the rolling hills of North Mississippi, to the black and fertile soil of the delta, to the battle scarred Gulf Coast. Mississippi gets into ones blood, haunts you and enables you to fall in love with her charm and geentile Southern ways. Y'all will be welcomed with a friendliness that is hard to believe.
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Well said, Aiangel..I too am frustrated in my own State forum for the stereotyping of people here in the Eastern mountains..Posted 07-24-2008 at 12:37 AM by Miss Blue
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my co-worker is from "miss-sippi" Ive been there many many times and I love it..of course to me its not that different from where Im at, and only an hour and a 1/2 away.Posted 07-24-2008 at 07:41 AM by arguy1973
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I think every state goes through this. In my own state forum, there's the naysayers, the negative attitudes and stereotypical speech. Doesn't affect me. I still love my state, as well as you should love yours.Posted 07-26-2008 at 09:06 PM by mams1559
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Patricia Neely Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states , "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed .I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry ,Prose and The Written Word."
SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems
BOOK AVAILABLE: www.reeds.ms/books.asp
or www.Amazon.com
AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.comPosted 12-19-2009 at 12:00 PM by pneelydorsey
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aiangel_writer, I know I'm late to the party, but if you haven't got to see my posts on the Mississippi forum yet. I visited your beautiful state two months ago, and I fell in love with the place, it is only unfortunate I saw so little of it. I saw Vicksburg and Natchez, and everything in between. But I love the history of the place. I only hope to see the rest of it someday.Posted 09-06-2010 at 07:09 PM by Desert kid
