Social Stratification in the Deep South

My computer has been a moody little something back at the hotel so I am going to make sure I do my blog now in the Hancock Co. Library. I spent the morning with my team (Antonio and Teresa) sorting through the library’s news articles (dating back to the 1970’s) and then filing them. Here and there I would stop and read through some of the articles. I saw where many of the smiling faces of the Hancock Co. library were featured in numerous articles and spotlighting for all of their hard and excellent workd. They even got honored at the White House! I saw an article about rising gas prices in the late 90’s (if we only knew $2.50 a gallon would ever be considered cheap) pictures recounting 9/11 and of course, pictures recounting and still recounting Katrina. I found an article from the late 90’s detailing what a Hurricane was and how it is formed and going through some of the strongest ones from Camille to Andrew. These names all sound like cousins or nieces or brothers in our family, but they carry such a greater connotation when the word “Hurricane” is put in front.

Right now, I am preparing to do my groups 2nd oral history interview for the day. The generosity of the people here at Hancock Co. Library to not only open their facilities (and provide breakfast and lunch and snacks) to us but also their stories is amazing. If you ever want to see strength personified, come down to Bay St. Louis to meet these people. And you can also check some of these people and their diaries. As one of the employees said today, don’t forgot about them.