In 1999, I saw a documentary about patches of population in Appalachia that still did not have running water and electricity. I could not believe what I was watching. A couple of years after that, a local television station had a report about pockets in Mississippi that did not have medical care closer than 50-100 miles. Again, I could not believe what I was hearing and seeing. I was struck by the necessity of letting the world know these horrible truths. Thus, the story of Possum Holler and four young men who put their small community on a map. Even in the face of hardship, it is paramount to have hope. My Hillbilly Hijinks series is all about having hope.
During the school year of 2008-2009, I worked in a district in Mississippi that was impoverished and very low performing. My assistant principal dared me to drive into Tchula proper. I took the challenge, and I thought I had driven into a third-world country. Ten miles either way of this small town was at least comfort, if not affluence. I could not believe I was witnessing firsthand such deplorable circumstances. It was another catalyst to tell the world this story of so much despair.
The original completion date of the first draft of Homegrown Healer was February 16, 2010. That summer, I also work for the Census Bureau. Imagine my shock when one of the areas I worked was only a step better that the abominable conditions described above. I drove down a small dip into a neighborhood where one house in particular broke my heart. One elderly lady lived there alone. My foot literally sank into a plank on her porch. When I was asked in by this sweet old woman, I walked into a three-room house, a semblance of a living room, a combined dining room and kitchen, and a bedroom where a box fan in July was the only comfort afforded the old woman. July in Mississippi is usually 95+ degrees with almost unbreathable humidity, cause a "real feel" of at least 115 degrees.
It has taken 9 years to bring this story to print, but it is a story that needs telling. America needs to be aware that these conditions still exist. We cannot rest on our laurels and turn a blind eye to the plight of our fellow man. We don't have to go to an actual third-world country to make a difference. We need to start at home. We must give these people hope!
Cover by Christopher Chambers.
I have always been fascinated by these people. Thank you for this wonderful series with a group of characters that will be remembered by your readers forever.
ReplyDeleteThis surprises me as in Canada the reserves are quite wonderful. The houses are beautiful, schools are modern, and there are any number of quality stores. What's more, nobody pays taxes, not on groceries, not on fuel, not on cigarettes, not on salaries, everything is tax free. Actually, natives don't pay taxes on their salaries wherever they work in Canada.
ReplyDelete