The Story of the Whipping Post

As you have gathered, I am from the South. A lot of people associate the American South with racism and backwardness. And to an extent, that is true. The South has definitely had its periods of hatred and bigotry and that kind of thing takes generations to phase out. The leaps and bounds since the Civil Rights Act in the 60s have been incredible in places like Mississippi, where I'm from. That's not to say we're perfect. Nobody is that. I've spent some time outside of Mississippi. I've been to South Africa, Boston, Colorado and California. I've done most of my traveling in the South, however. And my Master's degree in Southern Studies definitely comes in handy for looking at your own society in a way that can be critical. I like to say that I love the South, but don't like what individuals do in the South. But, in my opinion, there is definitely a discrimination of the South, especially Mississippi, from those outside the South and Mississippi. We in Mississippi have served as a whipping post for racial relations gone wrong. Here's the truth... as said by Malcolm X, "Mississippi is everywhere South of the Canadian border." That's definitely the case. When I was in South Africa, as an American, I was treated with respect and awe. However, the Afrikaans descendants who were on the trip were dismissed and even ignored and antagonized by Xhosa descendants. In Boston, we forget the consolidation of schools and integration being ignored and protested to the point of violence. Equally so, California has its own issues with illegal immigration and the Hispanic population and the Asian population. But especially, as I saw in Berkeley, the Pakistan culture and Indian culture. All this to say that there are whipping posts for each region.

            In the theology sense, we discover since we are all dealing with discrimination in some form, that to me is the argument that we are all sinners and lucky for us, Jesus, the ultimate whipping post, died for our lack of perfection. But, anyone who knows the gospels also knows that Jesus tried his hardest NOT to be the whipping post. He prayed to God that he didn't have to die for everyone. But, obeying God, he did die on the cross.

            Now, I'm not suggesting that we all become martyrs. That's not completely necessary since Jesus was the ultimate martyr. What I am saying is that we all need to realize that there is no Utopia where everyone gets along and treats each other kindly on this Earth. We all have out problems. We all have our judgments, whether or not we want to acknowledge them or not is up to us.

            Jesus' story, especially his sacrifice, should put us both at ease and also up for a challenge. We should at least strive to not discriminate. We should attempt to be forgiving, even when it seems impossible. Jesus essentially threw down the gauntlet, issued the ultimate, "double dog dare you" in his example.

            How this ties into being a young adult in my generation is that to other generations, we are being challenged and guided as a generation of, "good for nothings." We don't even have a generational name. We're not baby boomers, we're not the hippies of the 60s. We. Are. What. We. Are. Choosing to be. And, for most people in my generation, it is translated into rising to the occasion when others say, "you can't do that." We are rebellious and determined to correct the mistakes that other generations have made. That is very Christian and very noble. So I guess we're generation, "Watch what I can do."

           Keep your eyes open, so you don't miss our miracles every day.

Why Sam Cooke rocks my face off.

From "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke:

 "Oh there been times that I thought couldn't last for long,

 But now I think I'm able to carry on,

 It's been a long time comin',

 But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will"

Sam Cooke, had a seven year period of making music. Seven years was all he had before he was shot dead outside a Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. But his song, "A Change is Gonna Come" might as well have been written today, for all I know.

 I'm at a point in my life, and others are too, young and old, where something has to change. Unemployment is still high, people are getting sick without receiving the help they need and all around those who need help the most are being ignored. Why? 

 In a used book store I saw a book that was titled something along the lines of "Why God is Irrelevant." It was titled underneath that as "or why we can't answer why we suffer." That has long been an issue with Christianity and Religion as a whole. Why do people suffer so much? Why are people killing one another? Why are there bullies? Why aren't the people in power helping anyone, and if they are, why are others trying to stop that help?

 I can't help but keep listening to Sam Cooke's song. I can't help thinking, "this new year, things will be different." Will they? That has yet to be determined. 

 Christianity, historically, was about change. It was about changing the system. It was about introducing a new way of thinking at a time when things were bad for those who practiced Judaism. Real bad. The Romans were breathing down their necks. They needed a messiah. And, according to Christianity, they got one. In a big way. 

We today, young and old, 25 and 65 and 13 and 2 need that change. And a Change is Gonna Come, oh yes it will.

The Mobile Office

So, considering I don't have an "official" office, I now have a mobile one. Being on the coast of Mississippi my mobile office of choice is the Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis, MS. While I'm in Oxford it's my Dad's dining room table. Having a mobile office has its perks and disadvantages:

 One: I can pack up and go as I please (perk)

 Two: I have to pack up and go whenever I want to do something (disadvantage)

 Three: I can dress however I want because of the lack of professionalism (perk)

 Four: I am not a professional, ergo I am not paid (disadvantage)

 Need I go on?

 In other news, I am in the "waiting game"... I'm waiting to hear if I get accepted for a PhD in history. I'm waiting on several job opportunities. I am waiting to get on MediCaid.. I am waiting for my Unemployment check.

 But moreso than that, I just came to the realization that it's ten days till Christmas.

 It used to be that Christmas was a time to wait on what Santa would bring. And also, when Dad would drag me to church (let's be honest- I WANTED to go to church with Dad). Christmas also meant that the night before I probably served as an acolyte for the Christmas Eve service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian, MS. Now, this year, I'll be on the coast and will probably choose to be at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Long Beach, MS for Christmas Eve- my parish home on the coast of Mississippi.

 So that's how I'll be spending my Christmas, how will you be spending yours?

Ideas for Personal Statement

Ok, so here are some beginnings for the personal statement:

I am a musician by trade. I am a reader by trade. I am rebellious. But before all those things were established, I became a historian. My freshman year at Sewanee I believed I would be an Environmental Policy major, funneling into an Environmental lawyer. I saw myself as a renegade, being brought in by the National Resource Defense Center as a hail Mary when all things subsided, bringing down those who sought to destroy our Earth, our island home. But then, in the midst of that track, I took an Environmental History class. Not only did I discover that I did in fact love history, I discovered I had a knack for it.
 After completing my bachelor's in history, I decided once again to be a renegade and not funnel into a PhD program for history, but instead take a Master's in Southern Studies. I found it crucial to understand the interdisciplinary nature of History, to understand the cultural shifts that caused people to consider their options for their choices, ultimately culminating in our history. With my Master's I focused on Civil Rights' history from several angles: Education and Restorative Justice, the History of the Civil Rights Movement and finally with an internship assisting in a Youth Organizing tradition.
 Completing my Master's I once again bucked against the system and decided I want to work for the Episcopal Church. I found myself in California, trying to be the Southern Ambassador, trying to explain to people that in the South, we do have things to offer. Trying to explain that the movie 'Mississippi Burning' was not at all historically accurate. I faced discrimination and rebelled against it, ultimately moving back home down South. In the midst of that move, I realized that I do indeed want my PhD in History.
 I want my PhD in history simply because I can tell the story of the underdog and the rebel at the same time. I have those skills because I am that underdog and rebel. Storytelling is in my blood and I feel there aren't enough stories told about those discriminated against for reasons beyond their control. Stories about those who risked everything to buck against the system that turned the other way. Please consider my renegade underdog application. Thank you for your time.

Personal Statement

So, now that I've officially applied for my phD in History here at The University of Mississippi, as well as applied to two jobs with the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, it looks like I'm pretty much committed to Oxford for at least a while. Now, here's the funny thing. I have all of my application ready for the phD program except for my Personal Statement.

 When I wrote my personal statement for the Southern Studies program, I'll admit, I had a little whiskey before hand and tried to use some Southern charm. Now I find with my personal statement for the History Program here to be daunting. I have until the 15th of January to write it, so I've got time. It's more likely that I've just got too much to say for the personal statement at this time. Growl.

 Why is it that I'm in the most prolific point in my life but I can't write one little personal statement for the phD program? Hmmm?

Unemployment Tuesday!

I am told that today I should hear back from the Unemployment office in Mississippi. It is now 2 pm on Tuesday and I have not heard back from them. This doesn't unsettle me as much as you would think. What does unsettle me is the amount of spam text messages I have received since applying for said unemployment.

 Do you think I have nothing better to do with my time than to "find out who my secret crush is"... I totally have better things to do. This is both unfair to my cell phone plan and an annoyance. I have texted back "stop" to all of these nonsensical offers.

Please stop bothering me, spam texting. I will unleash the wrath of unemployed Margaret Blount Montgomery on you and you won't like it, I guarantee it. 

Just in case you didn't notice...

The Saints V. Bengals game was INCREDIBLE football to watch, but ultimately, the Saints pulled through. WHO DAT?!

Saints Game

May the beloved New Orleans Saints defeat the Cincinnati (that looks like a wrong spelling) Bengals. May the Saints ever be prosperous. Amen. 

Obviously, the poker game didn't go well...

I lost the poker game, but have continued to hang out with my friends as they are playing. There's something about being able to hang out and not feel compelled to play that's a little relieving. It might help that I'm broke at the moment and need my cash for other things.

 Anyway, the best quote of the night (so far):

 me: "I mean, Jesus might have picked up a hitch-hiker or two on that donkey riding into Jerusalem."
 friend: "That's what Jesus was crucified for- picking up hitch-hikers. He did at least, have twelve of them."

 There's something oddly right about that sentiment. If we pick up the hitch-hiker theory, then we are all hitch-hikers... eh.

 Back to my magazine.

My my my my pokerface...

After near on three months or so of Poker-less action, I will be enjoying the company of friends at the poker table. All this to say, wish me luck!

We are... Survivors...

Here I am, sitting in a coffee shop in Bay St. Louis, MS, writing this blog post about Surviving.

 I can't think of a better place to write about surviving than the MS Gulf Coast. Some of you might remember a little storm (sarcasm intended here) named Katrina.

This picture is taken from the City Park in Pass Christian. On the opposite side of the park is a Hurricane Camille placard (looks similar). The names that you can't read are those who lost their lives to the storm in Pass Christian.

 One would think this is still a raw subject. And it is for many people. Because, we are rebuilding in the best way possible. And that means creating something new out of what remains. For example, Live Oak trees that didn't survive "The Storm" (as locals call Katrina) have been carved into beautiful sculptures by chainsaw artists.

 Now, when I was in California, I experienced a "new" concern for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. BP and its Oil Spill was seen as a disaster. I remember where I was when I learned that the explosion happened. I was at a youth retreat called Happening in Mississippi (I think specifically I was at the Staff Training, or maybe it was the actual weekend). Anyway, the most people were upset about at the time were the lives senselessly lost in the explosion (which, as it turns out, could have been avoided).

 But back to California. I would say that I'm from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I would get this response, "how is your family managing with the Oil Spill?" Now, I understand the concern. I get that. But, considering my family is not directly involved with the seafood industry (which, by the way, took a rough hit, but is bouncing back) and also considering that the Gulf of Mexico will eventually heal itself (an oil spill like this apparently happened on a smaller scale in the 70s or so).

All this to say, I've taken some rough hits in my life. So have many of my friends in Mississippi, in South Africa, in Tennessee, in California, in Massachusetts.

We have all had rough hits in our lives, but...

 We. Are. Survivors.

 There is nothing more simply said than that.

Christianity is a life of surviving. Christianity is a (no matter how you put it), a way of life where you experience the ups and downs of a man who ultimately gave his life for everyone all in a year. Phew. Talk about a rough hit.

But there's always Christmas. There's always Easter.

 When Hurricane Katrina hit, I went to a retreat at Camp Bratton Green in Mississippi. It was an emergency retreat, for me and for the youth on the Coast who had found themselves scattered throughout the state.

 I'll leave you with this. The prayer from the group in Pass Christian written started with, "God, we're flippin' pissed" but ended with, "we're ready for the Resurrection"...

...Think on that...