Mississippi: A Case of Malign Neglect?

The first time I set foot in Mississippi was when I flew here from the West Coast for a job interview several years ago. I had two images in my mind of Mississippi, both gleaned from Hollywood depictions: swamps and racism. I was very apprehensive of coming here, and I think part of my mind was actually bracing to see Klan activity as I got off the plane. These notions were absurd, but I had nothing else on which to base my expectations. I knew nothing whatsoever of the real Mississippi. Now that I've discovered no swamps and no more evidence of racism than what I experienced on the West Coast, Mississippi has come to mean something very different.

I wish I could say that I now associate Mississippi with positive images, but this is not the case. What I can say is that I believe my current associations are grounded in reality and actual experience. When I think Mississippi now, I primarily think of poverty and ignorance. I see a populace struggling to overcome these unfortunate truths, but they do not appear to be receiving much help in doing so.

Let's start with one simple, undisputed fact: Mississippi is the poorest state in America. This is nothing new, as I'm fairly certain we've been in the bottom 5% since the Civil War. Reasonable people can disagree about the historic causes for this fact and about how best to change it, but there is no disagreement over our last place showing on a list of median incomes.

Believe it or not, Mississippi also has the highest sales tax on food in America. In fact, Mississippi is one of only seven states that taxes all individual food purchases. The poorest state maintains the highest tax on food. Doesn't make much sense, does it? Meanwhile, we have one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation. It appears that the tobacco lobby wields considerably more power with our Republican-controlled state government than do our impoverished citizens. Go figure.

Jamie Franks, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, said, "I find it quite appalling we live in the poorest state in this union and we have the highest sales tax on food in this union." He argues that we should cut the grocery tax in half and increase the cigarette tax to make up the lost revenue. I agree, and I have a difficult time imagining that anyone could disagree. However, Franks' opponent and current state auditor, Phil Bryant, does disagree. Well, at least Republicans are consistent in their disdain for the poor.

Education is often touted as an obvious, if only partial, way out of poverty. It is no surprise to anyone that Mississippi consistently ranks at or near the bottom in terms of education. A failed educational system perpetuates poverty, but it also creates a culture of ignorance. Every year, Mississippians hear about our awful education system and about how improving the education of our children is a top priority for our elected officials. And yet, we remain at the bottom year after year. This creates a sort of learned helplessness (i.e., nothing I do makes any difference, so why do anything at all?).

Some Mississippians, frustrated with constant reminders of their failings, seem to have embraced a sort of defiant ignorance. They resent the "cultural elites" who criticize them and vote Republican even though that simply perpetuates the state's problems. Christian fundamentalism thrives in such an atmosphere, and anti-education sentiment solidifies.

I'll be the first to admit that the way out of this deepening morass is not entirely clear. Of course Mississippi needs more and better jobs. But our current system of education is simply not adequate for preparing our citizens for many of these jobs. Of course we desperately need to increase educational funding. But it is not clear where the money to fund this broken system will come from. The only thing of which I can be certain is that we desperately need a change of political leadership. Our current leadership has not been interested in developing a plan for change, and this is precisely what we need.

Tags: politics, poverty, Mississippi, ignorance, education, Republicans, culture of ignorance