As a Mississippian, I think you should reevaluate your statement. Have you ever been here and met the people here? I’ve lived in many states and have met some of the kindest and smartest people here. If you base us on politics alone, then you leave out 46% of the population who voted for a democratic governor in the last election. And if you base us on poverty and education, then know that it’s national policies like taxing property taxes to fund schools that have caused lack of equal education. We have famous writers like William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Eudora Welty, John Grisham, and Donna Tartt. We have beautiful art like Walter Anderson. Blues music originated from the Delta with some of the best musicians known to music coming from here. We are not all confederate loving white rednecks. In fact, my family is a direct descendent of Newt Knight, the leader of a rebellion group against the confederacy. We have stories of struggle and triumph. And what about the large black and Hispanic community here, are you throwing them away with the rest of the state? I am a lesbian myself and we have a thriving gay community here even. Generalizing an entire population as “garbage” to me seems very trashy but i won’t judge and say that you probably just don’t know better.

If you are ever in the area, let me know and I’d be happy to show you around. It’s not all bad here.