Social Stratification in the Deep South

Previously to today, May 31, 2007, I had always thought that I look at the world in a fair, understanding and though to had a great ability to make correct assumptions on subjects/experiences I encountered. Today, I found out in a very hard way that I the way I view certain things may be a little skewed and misinterpreted. After entering the devastated yet loving and strong community of Hancock County and interacting with its wonderful residents, I had a perception to how things were done and assumptions that challenged the correct idea/sense of community of those in the tightly-knit community surrounding the Bay St. Louis. This is hard to explain for me, and I’m sure that what I am saying might be tend to look a little confusing once transcribed into a typed word document, but I will attempt to explain my transformation of thinking within a 24 hour span.

After hearing an abbreviated account of what happened in Hancock County and listen to how the community responded in the face of such tragedy, I developed such a sense of respect and sympathy for those that endured such hardships. I asked myself questions, questioning intentions while challenging those who possessed privilege to explain why certain actions where taken and if those actions were only present because of that idea of privilege.

Following the hearing of personal accounts of what community citizens experienced my previous perceptions of the word community and those of privilege disappear. They more or less did not seem just. Coming into the interviews I expected that what I would hear would be very disturbing and shocking, but I had no idea that I would be moved in the way that I was. I remember catching myself from shedding a tear when hearing about the personal experiences of devastation. I noticed that the storm did not hold back from releasing wrath on certain individuals just because they possessed certain privileges, everyone was set back in ways I can only imagine.

Rebuilding a community with such history and tradition in the speediness and readiness in which the town is doing is so remarkable. Regardless of the differing socioeconomic status of those that inhabit the neighborhoods, hard work along with genuine kindness goes unparallel. I must admit I viewed the rebuilding stage in a very cruel and suspect way largely because of anger. Anger towards the situations Katrina put innocent people into, and seeing the various levels of struggle of those in different social classes.

I felt that I connected with the person in which I interviewed, not in the aspect of losing something of the magnitude they did, but in a sense that humans a sympathetic to those who struggle. I have never experienced anything resembling what happened with Katrina, but hearing of a story from someone that escaped the storm by taking refuge in areas surrounding my hometown. It made me connect with the person in a more personal way. I was knowledgeable of some of the hardships of those on the Gulf Coast but felt that I was detached from the situation because I did not think that affects of the storm were so widespread. After hearing such brutal stories, I have changed my outlook on how people use resources in the face of disaster. Even though they might possess those resources because of factors related socioeconomic status or society based privilege, how they used those resources to help others less fortunate is so remarkable and I thank them for doing so without thought.