Mississippi’s uncommon spirit – SuperTalk Mississippi

Within the aftermath of the lethal and damaging tornadoes that ripped throughout Mississippi bringing catastrophic injury to many locations, particularly Rolling Fork, I’m struck by one thing that performs out in Mississippi time and time once more after disasters.

Mississippi is an extremely caring state. Such trials reveal our hearts and souls – the essence of the Mississippi spirit. It’s an unbelievably inspiring lesson about who we’re and what we’re to one another.

When the socioeconomic and political boundaries that too typically divide us are blown down, we see in our individuals a sleepless and galvanizing tempo to serve others. It doesn’t matter what your politics are, you might be beloved.

What we see on the bottom in our beloved Mississippi Delta is one thing that we’ve noticed constantly after disasters in Mississippi. It’s one thing the skin world, for no matter causes, doesn’t typically word. It’s the inspiring, selfless spirit of Mississippians and their dogged dedication to lend a serving to hand. On this second, we witness in our fellow Mississippians, even those that have misplaced every little thing, flip away the assistance of others – pointing volunteers to their neighbors who they imagine have greater wants.

During the last week, we now have seen native, state, and federal officers – political events apart – all come along with the volunteer cavalry that tragedy creates when drawn to floor zero.

The volunteers represented nonprofits of all types with an array of companies; metropolis representatives from throughout the state introduced emergency provides plus police and hearth assist; church teams provided their prayers and their individuals; farmers got here with their heavy gear; utiltity corporations supplied energy and water; eating places had been armed with meals; and easy residents introduced sturdy backs and loving hearts.

I name them – as President George H.W. Bush as soon as christened them – a thousand factors of sunshine.

Every is a separate beacon of assist and hope. The caring aftermath of these sudden winds turns into a compelling reminder of the Mississippi spirit and what’s truly within the hearts of Mississippians.

At instances like these, the brand new Mississippi state track “One Mississippi” by Steve Azar ought to be performed on loudspeakers throughout the USA. Amid the deaths, accidents, and horrible destruction, that ballad would be heard as celebrating who Mississippians are to their core.

There are prevailing false narratives about Mississippians which might be typically rooted in a tragic and unforgettable historical past that the nationwide media – and sadly, some media on this state – ignorantly wish to repeat with seemingly each day regularity. They drive wedges and converse of us as not having modified – as in the event that they actually know and perceive what’s in our hearts and souls. 

However the useful responses of Mississippians after tragedies obliterate these narratives. Myopic journalists, right here and elsewhere, ought to all put away their wedges and work tougher to see and perceive who we actually are as a individuals. And whereas extra can at all times be accomplished, we now have made unimaginable progress as Mississippians towards creating a price that embraces one another as neighbors.

What we have seen in Mississippi ought to be a lesson to the world: when the going will get powerful in Mississippi, this state will get small. We’d like one another. We’re all human. And we are going to discover methods to serve one another. 

It is long gone time for others to take word that we’re, actually, one Mississippi.