A day or so after (9/11/01), my parents and I had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant here in Jackson with a dear retired couple (now deceased) that had served to mentor my folks during the early years of their marriage. To be more specific, my parents had served under them (when I was in middle school) within our church (First Baptist Church Jackson) as Sunday School directors within the class they taught. This particular Sunday School class was relegated to singles, and as such, it was duly popular. So much so, in fact, that many of the attendees who'd "marry out" of this class would find ways to stick around (in spite of their betrothal).
This older couple were retired educators, both having served within the Jackson Public Schools district as teachers and administrators / coaches. Hence, they were astute, articulate people, who were incredibly down to Earth and loved by many. I have a queue full of great memories of them and my parents as they came alongside each other to serve at our church during those 3-4 years of my childhood.
During our dinner, there was a nationwide minute of silence, in honor of those who'd perished within the terrorist's attack. Therefore we, like so many others, sat awkwardly in silence at our restaurant booth after the din suddenly halted. From there, our conversation couldn't help but turn to the attack / politics, the latter of which wasn't a topic that I'd ever remembered broaching with this older couple during all of the fun-filled dinners before.
At this time, I was in my late 20s, and politics simply weren't of interest to me. Growing up with my two parents, neither of which had any interest / real understanding whatsoever in / of politics, relegated me too to turning a blind eye towards it.
But I soon discovered that this wasn't the case regarding this dear older couple. Instead, they were both obviously quite vested / interested in the politics of the day.
At this point in time, despite my overall disinterest, I couldn't help but take note of Hillary Clinton's political ambitions. To the point of admiring her poise and obvious intelligence. As such, back in 2001, Ms. Clinton was continuing to vie for elected "opportunities" where she might flex her specific leadership skillset (independent from her husband, Bill), and frankly, I admired that.
For whatever reason, I interjected her name into the conversation (post minute of silence) as we munched on tortilla chips and salsa, and this is when the unexpected happened.
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A month or so ago, my sweet wife and I shared "our final meal" with our oldest dependent. This was at a Cracker Barrel restaurant prior to moving her into a freshman dorm room in south Mississippi. It was a sobering experience for us, knowing she was now officially out of the nest.
About ten minutes in, a multi-generational clan were seated adjacent to us. What struck me about this family was what was displayed prominently across the tee shirt of the +/-30-year-old daughter (or perhaps daughter-in-law). It said the following: "PROUD TO BE A DEPLORABLE".
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I was born and reared within the great state of Mississippi. My parents are from a small Mississippi Delta town dubbed Belzoni. My mom was reared in rural Humphreys County (outside of Belzoni), and her upbringing was impoverished. Her family didn't have indoor plumbing 'till she was 9 or 10 years old. They did eventually obtain this (within the "new" house), but they (family of four) were still confined to +/-900 square feet of (non-centrally climate-controlled) space.
Their existence was typical for Mississippi in the '50s and '60s, and many, many Mississippians live within these similar conditions today.
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During my teenage years, there were two things that made the most endeavoring impact. One was my being heavily involved at First Baptist Church Jackson, and the other was the privilege I had of befriending two older teenagers (older peers at my high school), both of which were similarly atypical as I was (ambition / temperament). The latter happened during the summer before my tenth grade year. Since both of these new friends were a year older than I, that gave me two solid years to enjoy that companionship, and let me tell you: it was awesome.
From there, my two friends exited Mississippi and neither looked back (except to be in my wedding in '96). One of those two does still have family here (perhaps), but the other's family moved away decades ago.
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Mississippi represents the clear and present underdog within this US of A. So long as you're taking stock of economic indicators, educational milestones, healthcare availability, and so forth. In tandem with that is our geographic mundaneness and muddy, waveless coastline.
But growing up as I did, around the folks I did, these uncompetitive attributes weren't at all on my radar. Instead, it was the aforementioned influencers that had my full attention.
Therefore, that was my Mississippi.
Samson Society guys make up the core group of men that I allow to influence me today. Most of those are Mississippians at the present, but many of them are from Florida, Tennessee. And it's important to know that this has not always been the case.
Taking all of this into account, most of us wish not to be reduced to a label. And certainly not then ushered into an assumption by default. This is discriminatory behavior that is in no way in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are a LOT of people in Mississippi who live lives that are vastly different than people within other states, and as such, there are many Samson guys from those troupes who are ushered in therein - no questions asked. It's what makes our groups unique as representatives of this state.
Politicians, through their words, are meta-influencers. And those words are birthed within their thought life prior to being unleashed as sound bytes. Yet, so many of everyone's words (whether politicized or not) are often said with little to no consideration as to their impact.
I don't wish to see people through the eyes of other's observations / labels, but it is sure hard to NOT do this at times.
This is why I try to steer clear of politics, though unfortunately, it's seemingly everywhere these days.
Be wary of generalizing or applying labels. Instead, turn your criticality inward and keep it there 'till your arrogance is effectively reset. Or better yet, study your roots. To the point that you never forget exactly where you came from.
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