My favorite part of the speaker series in the first few days was listening to Melissa Cole, Jr. Garth, and Torsheta Bownes. Why? Because it was real. Real in a different way than I described how I felt about Brown v. Board…Let me explain what I mean. You know how you see those feel good movies of teachers going up against insurmountable odds and students succeeding beyond all doubt? That’s what meeting them was like. The only difference is the true story doesn’t begin with the teachers entering the picture and there’s an endless supply of students. Like the previous post, I’d rather break down the speakers into parts and discuss what I got from each.
Melissa Cole:
Melissa is a recent grad (a.k.a she’s been an alumna for a matter of weeks) from the University of Mississippi. I don’t think you can get a more fresh perspective on the University than this. Amherst (save the invention of biological warfare by our namesake) doesn’t have the racial history of UM. The first black student at Amherst was Edward Jones in 1822. The first black student at UM was James Meredith in 1962, 140 years later. As you can imagine, the foundations of the University still tremble with aftershock. That’s why I think Melissa is courageous. It hurts to talk about race when most people want to sweep issues under the rug or bring it to the forefront and make it a marker for prejudice. I realize the courage that it takes for her to make the University her home too. Melissa, in the documentary The South Will Rise Again and in person, made me realize that we still have a long way to go until we’ve reached racial reconciliation.
Torsheta Bowens and Jr. Garth:
I don’t think…Scratch that, before Friday night I had never met a teacher that openly said “I hit my kids.” But I have also rarely met teachers who seem to care so much for their students, their kids. I think Torsheta more than Jr. seems like a “don’t start none, won’t be none” teacher. I’m not going to lie, if I had her as a teacher I would be intimidated. But when she said, “They know. They know if you care,” I knew she did care. Along the same lines, when Jr. said, “You have to care about them, but not care what they think about you,” I got the same feeling.
In my previous blog when I talked about home-grown talent from the community, Torsheta and Jr. are examples of this talent. Both are from Mississippi. I can’t believe someone would think, let alone say, Teacher Corps teachers from out of state are needed because Mississippians are unable to educate themselves. Students should be able to see people like them, people who come from the community, succeed. The people who go down and bring them up should be able to come from their community, and they can. I know sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes and perspectives, but that doesn’t mean people who are in the fish bowl are invalid. If anything, they have more at stake.
Melissa, Torsheta, and Jr. make me question what I can do in Amherst. I have an idea of what I could do in South Carolina, but for the past year I’ve been wondering what the heck I could do for community service in Amherst. I wasn’t sure if I just wanted to tutor students, or be a big sister for one day a week. Those are both honorable and I wouldn’t have a problem doing either, but I just wonder, something else (I don't what) makes me wonder.
-Radical
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The First Few Days
My first few days in Mississippi really haven’t been spent much in the present. Let me explain what I mean. Learning about the state of Mississippi now has required me to learn about the history of the state, “a journey into Mississippi’s dark past”. (Eubanks) Before I crossed the state line my mind was caught dancing between the horrific history that frequents textbooks and older generation conversations about Mississippi and a blissfully ignorant “How bad could it be? We’re in the 21st century?” frame of mind. Now, I’m starting to know better, but I think I can explain my walk more intelligibly through what I learned (and am learning) from the speaker series:
Day 1: Mississippi Innocence Project
The official mission of the Mississippi Innocence Project is: “ providing the highest quality legal representation to its clients: Mississippi state prisoners serving significant periods of incarceration who have cognizable claims of wrongful conviction. In addition, the Project seeks to identify and address systemic problems in the criminal justice system and to develop initiatives designed to raise public and political awareness of the prevalence, causes and societal costs of wrongful convictions” (MIP website). Long mission statement short—justice. I absolutely love hearing from people who are passionate about what they do. Tucker Carrington, Director of the Mississippi Innocence Project, is not exception. Something he said Thursday I think will stick with me for a long time. “We have civil rights violations here” (Carrington)… America is supposed to be so great, land of the free and home of the brave. From sea to shining sea anyone fulfill the American Dream if they just work hard enough. Oh! Did I forget to mention this happily ever after doesn’t work in just the same way if you are a minority? I did didn’t I? But wait, there’s more! You’ve hit the jackpot of injustice if you’re black in the rural crevices of the Magnolia State.
Whoever makes the rules of the game will win. Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer were pawns in a criminal justice system and racist and classist society designed to keep them in line, out of sight, and under the white man. Yeah, I said it. How can we focus so hard on the problems in other nations when we have problems on our own land? This isn’t an argument for isolation from or apathy of worldly affairs. This is an argument to do the right thing for our own injustices. Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer didn't need DNA to exonerate them; they needed a defense. The Mississippi Innocence Project provided that civil liberty. Plain and simple. The message I received from this talk:
SWEEP AROUND OUR OWN FRONT PORCH. (Darn it! J)
Day 2: Brown v. Board, Education in Mississippi, and The Murder of Emmet Till
Morning:
Professor Winkle, Professor Winkle, another one of the passionate good guys. This Supreme Court case has never seemed more interesting and relevant. There’s nothing like actually reading the decision, not quoting it—“separate is inherently unequal…with all deliberate speed”—not citing from it (in this case and that), but actually reading the language of the landmark. Don’t get me wrong. The decision has always meant something to me. There’s a great possibility I wouldn’t be sitting here right now if Mr. Marshall, Mr. Houston, and honorable families who fought on the side of justice did not win the case. However, to understand the decision is something more, something…intangible.
Early Afternoon:
Representative Cecil Brown…standing up against the idiots. “What are your credentials?” People get asked this all the time. Unfortunately I think many politicians fail to complete the first criterion—actually care about the people who are affected by their committee! Representative Brown passes with flying colours. In the meeting Rep. Brown was clear and concise. There’s no BSing with this man. His attitude and approach to education seem like what this state needs. He recognizes the many challenges to providing adequate education and he doesn’t make excuses for them. Moreover, he works to overcome these challenges.
I just want to add a side note. The meeting was the first time I heard about The Ovarian Lottery. Isn’t that a kicker? Take it as you will, but it somehow it feels good to hear privileged people like Warren Buffet to say something like that, to acknowledge that. It feels good, and makes me think.
Late Afternoon:
Jerry Mitchell. His name is so plain. His actions are so great. But he’s so down to Earth! If you ever want to meet a real Cool Cat, go find Jerry Mitchell. Now, for a red-headed journalist from Texasarkana you might have to look in some pretty unorthodox places. Mr. Mitchell can be found anywhere from buried in Mississippi Sovereignty Commission files to consoling a four decade widow to interviewing an unapologetic KKK member. Anywhere you look though, you can find him seeking justice. What I think makes Jerry so cool is that he’s doing what he does for something bigger, and he carries a light heart. The person imagined in Out of the Past and the person I met at the Jackson Clarion-Ledger almost seem to be at odd, polar opposites. It’s like he’s gravel and silt, strait from the fruit and pulp-free…how can that be? I don’t want to question it, and I don’t intend to try and fashion an answer for it. I’ll just let it be what it is. Oh…so…cool.
Evening:
See the next blog for what we did in the evening. :)
Day 3: Father Dall and the Ward
Speaking of “something bigger” (I’m sure by now you know I was making an allusion to God. If you didn’t then just keep it to yourself). I want to speak about Father Lincoln Dall. I’ve met more Priests than you can count on two hands, and been in about the same number of churches, but Father Dall is the first Father I’ve met that has built a Parish in, and of, the community, including with those who are still a little wet behind the ears. Meeting Father Dall gave me a new perspective on community. Up until talking with Father Dall it seemed like great ideas (even, to a certain extent, people) had to be imported. That’s not true, not true at all. Father Dall’s parishioners are the ones who are supporting each other in times of need, thinking of creative ways to strengthen their faith, and improving their lives. These people didn’t come from elite Northern institutions; they came, and continue to come, from local stock. People from the community are the cream of the crop for improvement.
Later that day we met with Ward Schafer, a (dare I type it) Wi-Wi-Wi-Williams (blagh) graduate and Teacher Corp alumnus. Ward is like the younger version of Jerry Mitchell; he has the chill factor down pat. It was nice getting a perspective from an educational journalist. I also think it's neat how he is able to stay connected with education even though he’s not teaching students in the classroom anymore. That being said, he’s just as important in lending his voice in improving education in Mississippi.
So, those were my first few days. I don’t want to BS you so I will keep it short. I learned a lot, debunked some myths, and confirmed some others. I can’t wait to see what June and July have in store. I’m sure the impact will be for longer than two months.
-Radical
Day 1: Mississippi Innocence Project
The official mission of the Mississippi Innocence Project is: “ providing the highest quality legal representation to its clients: Mississippi state prisoners serving significant periods of incarceration who have cognizable claims of wrongful conviction. In addition, the Project seeks to identify and address systemic problems in the criminal justice system and to develop initiatives designed to raise public and political awareness of the prevalence, causes and societal costs of wrongful convictions” (MIP website). Long mission statement short—justice. I absolutely love hearing from people who are passionate about what they do. Tucker Carrington, Director of the Mississippi Innocence Project, is not exception. Something he said Thursday I think will stick with me for a long time. “We have civil rights violations here” (Carrington)… America is supposed to be so great, land of the free and home of the brave. From sea to shining sea anyone fulfill the American Dream if they just work hard enough. Oh! Did I forget to mention this happily ever after doesn’t work in just the same way if you are a minority? I did didn’t I? But wait, there’s more! You’ve hit the jackpot of injustice if you’re black in the rural crevices of the Magnolia State.
Whoever makes the rules of the game will win. Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer were pawns in a criminal justice system and racist and classist society designed to keep them in line, out of sight, and under the white man. Yeah, I said it. How can we focus so hard on the problems in other nations when we have problems on our own land? This isn’t an argument for isolation from or apathy of worldly affairs. This is an argument to do the right thing for our own injustices. Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer didn't need DNA to exonerate them; they needed a defense. The Mississippi Innocence Project provided that civil liberty. Plain and simple. The message I received from this talk:
SWEEP AROUND OUR OWN FRONT PORCH. (Darn it! J)
Day 2: Brown v. Board, Education in Mississippi, and The Murder of Emmet Till
Morning:
Professor Winkle, Professor Winkle, another one of the passionate good guys. This Supreme Court case has never seemed more interesting and relevant. There’s nothing like actually reading the decision, not quoting it—“separate is inherently unequal…with all deliberate speed”—not citing from it (in this case and that), but actually reading the language of the landmark. Don’t get me wrong. The decision has always meant something to me. There’s a great possibility I wouldn’t be sitting here right now if Mr. Marshall, Mr. Houston, and honorable families who fought on the side of justice did not win the case. However, to understand the decision is something more, something…intangible.
Early Afternoon:
Representative Cecil Brown…standing up against the idiots. “What are your credentials?” People get asked this all the time. Unfortunately I think many politicians fail to complete the first criterion—actually care about the people who are affected by their committee! Representative Brown passes with flying colours. In the meeting Rep. Brown was clear and concise. There’s no BSing with this man. His attitude and approach to education seem like what this state needs. He recognizes the many challenges to providing adequate education and he doesn’t make excuses for them. Moreover, he works to overcome these challenges.
I just want to add a side note. The meeting was the first time I heard about The Ovarian Lottery. Isn’t that a kicker? Take it as you will, but it somehow it feels good to hear privileged people like Warren Buffet to say something like that, to acknowledge that. It feels good, and makes me think.
Late Afternoon:
Jerry Mitchell. His name is so plain. His actions are so great. But he’s so down to Earth! If you ever want to meet a real Cool Cat, go find Jerry Mitchell. Now, for a red-headed journalist from Texasarkana you might have to look in some pretty unorthodox places. Mr. Mitchell can be found anywhere from buried in Mississippi Sovereignty Commission files to consoling a four decade widow to interviewing an unapologetic KKK member. Anywhere you look though, you can find him seeking justice. What I think makes Jerry so cool is that he’s doing what he does for something bigger, and he carries a light heart. The person imagined in Out of the Past and the person I met at the Jackson Clarion-Ledger almost seem to be at odd, polar opposites. It’s like he’s gravel and silt, strait from the fruit and pulp-free…how can that be? I don’t want to question it, and I don’t intend to try and fashion an answer for it. I’ll just let it be what it is. Oh…so…cool.
Evening:
See the next blog for what we did in the evening. :)
Day 3: Father Dall and the Ward
Speaking of “something bigger” (I’m sure by now you know I was making an allusion to God. If you didn’t then just keep it to yourself). I want to speak about Father Lincoln Dall. I’ve met more Priests than you can count on two hands, and been in about the same number of churches, but Father Dall is the first Father I’ve met that has built a Parish in, and of, the community, including with those who are still a little wet behind the ears. Meeting Father Dall gave me a new perspective on community. Up until talking with Father Dall it seemed like great ideas (even, to a certain extent, people) had to be imported. That’s not true, not true at all. Father Dall’s parishioners are the ones who are supporting each other in times of need, thinking of creative ways to strengthen their faith, and improving their lives. These people didn’t come from elite Northern institutions; they came, and continue to come, from local stock. People from the community are the cream of the crop for improvement.
Later that day we met with Ward Schafer, a (dare I type it) Wi-Wi-Wi-Williams (blagh) graduate and Teacher Corp alumnus. Ward is like the younger version of Jerry Mitchell; he has the chill factor down pat. It was nice getting a perspective from an educational journalist. I also think it's neat how he is able to stay connected with education even though he’s not teaching students in the classroom anymore. That being said, he’s just as important in lending his voice in improving education in Mississippi.
So, those were my first few days. I don’t want to BS you so I will keep it short. I learned a lot, debunked some myths, and confirmed some others. I can’t wait to see what June and July have in store. I’m sure the impact will be for longer than two months.
-Radical
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)