Jonestown Mississippi, Population ~1700

-Megan Lloyd Joiner

A small group of us traveled back down Route 61 to Tunica county and visited with community leaders in Jonestown, Mississippi, where the mayor says "you have to be coming to go." In other words, this small town is not a tourist destination, not a "oh let's stop in Jonestown for lunch" kind of place.

We met with ten community members, those whom 24-year-old Crystal said "if everyone in town could be like these people...we'd be doing ok." Retired school teachers, the former mayor's wife, the current mayor, a 24-year-old city councilman, community volunteers, the town clerk. We met at the Jonestown Education Center run by St. Teresa, another Sister of the Holy Names who runs a preschool for local children. Crystal, a former pre-schooler, now runs the after-school program for elementary age kids. (She loves it).

It was an important experience to both listen and share--all of us sitting in pre-school sized chairs at tiny tables, drinking Starbucks (!) coffee and eating homemade cookies and corn salad. Why are we here? Who are we? Why do we want to hear their stories? And what are we going to do about it? The mayor, Patrick, after stating that "it's not as bad as everyone says" and after answering honestly that crack and alcohol are huge problems for the community, says " We've been studied enough. There are enough reports on the effects of poverty on African American Communities. We don't want to be studied any more." It also seems that this group of people has probably never sat in the same room before. Part of me wanted us to leave and them to keep talking, work out differences of opinion, elders listening to youth and vice versa. I am struck again by the profound sense of isolation that poverty, racism, ageism and a lack of community communication seems to cause. But I also remember that I am here to listen and to learn, not to judge.

Willie Baptist explains the work of the Poverty Initiative: "We want to work with you, to facilitate the work you are already doing here. We're not here to look and go, we're here to 'stick and stay'." Patrick seems to appreciate that. He's interested in what we are doing. Later, as we are leaving, he asks what we are doing the rest of the week. "Stay in touch" he says. I think about the power of doing this work together rather than in our isolated silos. He's holding a lot together on his own.

We take a tour of the town in the school's bus. There are so many kids coming to the after-school now that they run two pick-ups each afternoon. We see everyone's houses, some are downright fancy (I later learn that a couple of these ladies own a lot of the land and buildings in town that other people rent), and then we pass places where someone in our group asks "What are those?" "Houses!" the older ladies say with a tone that says "what do you think?"

After we see the excercise center the town started, back on the bus Mrs. Myrtle Shanks (79) tells me: "We picked cotton. Sharecropped until my family could buy a piece of land. But the question is 'What now?' Because I tell you, this is terrifying." Drugs and what the mayor calls "wannabe gangs," jobs in the casinos. There is not much left here for young people. I am hopeful that Crystal has returned. "Why did you want to work here, where you grew up?" I ask her. "This is my home," she answers, "I wanted to give back." "Crystal will leave." Ms. Myrtle and Ms. Betty say almost in unison as Crystal smiles and shakes her head. "Crystal will get out, you'll see." It seems to be both a hope and a fear. Leaves me to ask, "What is a better life?" and "Where is home once you 'get out'?"