Jackson Free Press

In July 1992, I was born at Baptist Memorial in Southaven, Miss. From the moment I took my first breath at 8:41 a.m. to the present, I have been a Mississippian. Not by choice, but by birth.

Given my state's long history of violence, oppression and discrimination, especially against individuals who bear the same blackness that I possess, choosing to be a Mississippian would seem to be a ludicrous decision. Couple Mississippi's historical problems with the contemporary ones, ranging from an under-performing public-education system to morbid levels of obesity, and you have an atmosphere that would cause most to steer far from any association with Mississippi.

Honestly, if I had any authority to determine my place of birth, I likely wouldn't choose Mississippi. However, I did not have any say so in the matter, and I'm glad I did not. I have accepted this immutable characteristic—being a Mississippian—with considerable pride. Mississippi's past is etched in stone, a stone many seem to have an insatiable desire to throw around while condemning the state I call home.

I am aware of the ramifications that Mississippi's turbulent history have on modern life here. This is not an attempt to refute this notion. I am obsessed not with changing what people say about Mississippi's past, but rather what they will say about Mississippi's future.

I believe the first step in changing the state's future comes with changing the perception of what it means to be from Mississippi. To help illustrate this point, I will use a NFL analogy. Each year, the worst team is rewarded with the first draft pick in the upcoming draft. Sometime these picks can be franchise shaping (see Eli Manning) or a complete bust (see JaMarcus Russell). Every time I leave Mississippi, I remind myself that I represent her. When I interact with new people, I am acutely aware of the fact that I could be the only positive image that people may have of Mississippi. I present myself like a first overall draft pick, because at the end of the day, I did not choose Mississippi. Mississippi chose me. I urge every Mississippian to do the same.

Yes, Mississippi is at the bottom of every "good" list and at the top of every "bad." I want to be a part of the reason Mississippi sits atop all the "good" lists, and you should, too. There is much work to be done to lift Mississippi to unprecedented heights. Those who deeply love Mississippi and are committed to the betterment of the state must do this work. We need high-quality teachers to teach our children. We need legislators who craft progressive policies that can transform Mississippi to an economic juggernaut. We need young, energetic grassroots organizers whose passion floods into their local communities. We need executive leaders who abandon partisan loyalty and commit to supporting policies that benefit our state. We need college graduates who have been trained in the state's public and private institutions to use their talents to give back to Mississippi.

Some do not have the same pride that I have for being from Mississippi. When I talk to people without that pride, their grievances with the state are legitimate, However, the focus should not be on what makes the state bad, but rather what you can do to make it better.

The state of Mississippi drafted me 22 years ago. Until this point, I have not produced any playoff wins, division titles or championships. I refuse to finish my career (life in Mississippi) without bettering her. Some of you were drafted long before I was, others more recently. The time is ticking. How will you help Mississippi? Only time will tell.

Timothy Abram is a U.S. history teacher at West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, Miss. He is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi. All opinions expressed are his own. Email him at [email protected].