After 22 years of being able to walk to the Mississippi State Capitol from the office, it is weird having to park. Once I found a space, parked the car and headed toward the big gold eagle. As I was walking from the parking lot, I met up with a man in a suit. He was navigating the construction and the mud, so I figured it was wise to follow him.
He had been here before.
We struck up a conversation. While I was cynical (a habit, I am afraid) about the session, he had great optimism. “I believe in Mississippi and want it to better.” While we were pretty different, we definitely had that in common. “It’s a great state full of talented people.” Once again, we were singing off the same hymnal. He, too, had moved here from another place — Detroit in his case. He also had lived here for a while — 18 years to my 26. I wished him a good day as we went through security and wished him luck. He believes in our state and his heart is pointed at that North Star.
It was inspiring, to be honest. And a reminder that there are good people here working hard to make this place better because they believe in it. And there is a lot of things — and people to believe in.
For example”:
When I went into the rotunda, there were some familiar faces mulling around. It was Chapel Hart, the sensationally talented country group from Hart’s Chapel, Mississippi (right near Popularville). I had seen them on America’s Got Talent and hearing them sing live, I can assure you — they have talent. There was no Auto Tune — just pure, clear harmonies in the echo of the busy Capitol. Chapel Hart’s members are a kind as they are talented. They took time to speak to everyone and pose for selfies (or us-sies).
They are the Mississippi that I love. People with dreams and talent who scratch and claw and don’t listen to the haters and the doubters. Just like the man in the suit who I walked in with.
As frustrating as our state can be — and as maddening as some of our leaders can be — there are so many good people who are working hard to make it better. Yes, there is great need. But there is also great people who are attacking that need. They are using their talents to bring us joy — or to find a solution for systemic problems that keep so many of our fellow Mississippians held prisoner.
I walked back to my car with a little more optimism. A lot goes on at the State Capitol. Sometimes it is for the good.