Jackson Free Press

Someone just sent me this link to a Frommer's thread about Mississippi. There's some intriguing talk over there, revealing that everyone has their own prejudices. Quite compelling to consider. My advice, though, is not to jump on them; it's vital to remember that everyone has their own stereotypes to overcome; going toe to toe with dueling stereotypes helps nothing:

No offense, but of all the places to go in the world Mississippi just doesn't rate all that high on the list (mine at least). I have no doubt your area has some wonderful attractions (although I'm also not sure how much of a draw hurricane damage is), but since people have limited travel time and dollars it is bound to lose out to other locals. Don't feel too badly about it, my state doesn't have many postings either (RI).

As for old prejudices, you could be right to some degree. I know as a "yankee" I do sometimes worry when travelling that areas of the south could still be overtly bigoted. Perhaps that is unfair, my travels there have not been extensive enough to say one way or another.

Previous Comments

ID

114582

Comment

I think the first few posters were correct that she shouldn't have started her thread on a negative about MS to promote vacationing here. However, she is right that MS has suffered from the wrongs of our past, and the national spin over the years. I kind of dig it that some posters are saying this is a travel thread not political, some just say MS is nice, and others are plain upset. Yet, the post you use above is easy fodder for a retort on bigotry. ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-11T18:07:13-06:00

ID

114583

Comment

Mississippi is, let's face it, not a tourist hotspot. Most states aren't. Our tourist industry got a shot in the arm from the casino industry, which got a shot in the foot from Katrina, but to be honest I always thought building our tourism around casinos was a strange idea anyway. Hopefully the civil rights museum will help matters somewhat. People see Mississippi as a historically--if not currently--racist state, so there's a good claim to fame there in that, other than Alabama, we're the state where most of the interesting battles of the civil rights movement were fought. We should also draw more on Mississippi's black heritage. Damn few people know Mississippi is the blackest state in the country--37% black, most black elected officials of any state, birthplace of the blues, home of Medgar Evers, home of Tougaloo, JSU, Alcorn, and on and on. Jackson's "City with Soul" campaign has finally acknowledged Jackson's place as a legitimate black cultural center on par, in its own way, with Chicago or Harlem or Detroit. Mississippi's tourism board needs to promote that, and promote it hard, and (here again) the civil rights museum will help.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2007-09-11T21:06:37-06:00

ID

114584

Comment

Props to Kenneth Stokes for getting so many streets named after real heroes of the civil rights movement, by the way. We need to be doing more of that sort of thing. And we need to get rid of that 1865 flag, which apparently looks just fine stuck to the mirror of certain rural Mississippi barbershops but looks downright ridiculous hanging from the Capitol, as if we just had the General Lee flayed and stuffed.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2007-09-11T21:09:51-06:00

ID

114585

Comment

Mississippi's tourist industry will recover. Celebrating its African-American heritage is a part of the program, but not all of it. Casinos are part of the puzzle, but again, not all that needs to be done. As much as this may seem faintly ridiculous at this point, attracting the 5 star tourist is what Mississippi needs to do. Build or renovate a couple of Relais & Chateaux hotels in places like Natchez and Vicksburg and Mississippi will be on its way. The 5 star traveler is more willing to seek out luxury in out of the way places than many believe. Build it and they will come.

Author

tombarnes

Date

2007-09-11T21:24:23-06:00

ID

114586

Comment

tombarnes, do you think the renovated King Edward might help?

Author

Tom Head

Date

2007-09-11T23:01:36-06:00

ID

114587

Comment

How about doing more to emphasize our uniqueness in areas such as the Blues and Rock and Roll with Elvis. No one can take away or question our contribution in these area of music, especially the Blues. While I'm at it, I finally saw the Britney Spears' performance. I thought she was high or drunk. Senator Craig likely showed better hand and foot movements.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-09-12T08:11:43-06:00

ID

114588

Comment

Of course the renovated King Edward is going to do a lot for the image of Jackson and, by extension, Mississippi. One or two hotels can't do everything, but they are important windows through which visitors experience a place. Your view is entirely different if the window is broken. The King Edward will not only improve downtown Jackson, it will give visitors an interesting and historic place to stay. Marriotts are always welcome, but they don't often act as showcases of local color. I think David Watkins, Deuce McAllister and co. get this important factor.

Author

tombarnes

Date

2007-09-12T08:17:04-06:00

ID

114589

Comment

I agree, Ray. And you don't think the producers of the show knew Britney's condition before she took the stage? She does not deserve any applause for the performance, but the producers should take part of the blame for this embarrassment. I agree with promoting music history and/or sports history in this state. Other states can eat our dust in these areas (and many others).

Author

xxgreg

Date

2007-09-12T09:13:13-06:00