I'm Back From Mississippi

NEW MISSISSIPPI, OLD MISSISSIPPI, & LEFT BEHIND MISSISSIPPI

My visit was to Columbus, Mississippi, located in Lowndes County. This trip was an exciting learning experience for me. After observing the glitz, I began to listen closely to the guarded conversations of the people. If Mississippi were a sentence it would be a compound, complex sentence. MS has a diverse culture. There is old Mississippi, new Mississippi, and the left behind Mississippi. The left behind group realizes they must catch up or perish.

New Mississippi is living large and living good. It does not matter about your racial identity. They have the green. New MS is enjoying life. They live in beautiful, spacious, expensive homes. Some live on top of rolling hills, drive hy-bird cars, and attend large churches. They know MS culture and how to conduct themselves.

Old Mississippi has not forgotten the history of the South. The remnants of slave culture, civil war, and pride of the confederacy are still alive. The Confederate flag is still flown on private property. Their secret society still exist. Old MS have prospered financially.

Left behind Mississippi: Many young blacks have been left behind. They are in a struggle for survival. They have the poorest education. Statistics show that education lags far behind in the segregated black schools. They do not have opportunities to get involved with technology. They are not encouraged to read. However, they play lots of video games. One phrase that was repeated over and over again was: "Our young people don't have anything to do." The elected officials with political power have not provided recreational opportunities for the youth. Nor have they provided quality educational opportunities. After Hurricane Katrina, many people relocated from Louisiana. Most of these residents have also been left behind.

Snapping at the heels of young blacks are opportunities to acquire an addiction. This puts them at risk for entering the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center or the County jail. The next stop is Parchment Prison. Serious work takes place in the Mississippi prisons; and, the inmates have to produce. This free labor creates wealth for the state. On the flip side there is the human tragedy. While an inmate is building wealth for the state they could be building their own life. Incarcerations take your time, dignity, and separates you from your family. Once a criminal record has been established many of your rights as a citizen are taken away forever. Examples: educational grants, government housing, all government jobs, and many good paying jobs. Some states deny ex-felons the right to vote.

Yet, there is hope for the left behind in Mississippi. I spoke before approximately 150 young people and their parents. During the question and answer session they revealed the strengths and weaknesses of their lives. Most of them place their faith in God. They listen to their parents and elders. It is time for strong courageous parents, grandparents, and the entire village to lobby for our youth and young adults. Elected officials must work hard for our children; holding a seat is not good enough. Who will be an advocate for the exploited, oppressed, and those living in poverty?

The young people of Mississippi still have hope for the future. However, there can be no compromise when it comes to using cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs. They must not participate in self destructive habits. If they continue to struggle against oppression, make use of every educational opportunity, and don't give up, the "left behind" will rise. Now is the time for all young African Americans to take part in their own rescue and survival.

Mary Morris, Author - Young Lions: Challenged To Live Free