Looking South
Photos from Mississippi and Alabama
Photos from Mississippi and Alabama
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<strong>Looking</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />
Photos from Mississippi and Alabama<br />
Jim Natale
Copyright © 2016 by Jim Natale<br />
All rights reserved.
The author Willie Morris once said that to understand the world you have to understand a place<br />
like Mississippi. To give the observation greater weight, he attributed the words to William<br />
Faulkner. The problem, as both the sly Mr. Morris and Mr. Faulkner undoubtedly knew, is that is<br />
impossible to understand Mississippi. Or Alabama. However, the apocryphal quote serves as a<br />
good metaphor. This is the land of stereotypes and surprises. Like music (a major component of<br />
the region), you first need to relax and go with it before you can get it.<br />
Probably we should establish up front what this little collection is not: It is not comprehensive or<br />
documentary, not objective, not a sociological statement, not a study, not political or racial. Not<br />
particularly urban or rural. Not even systematic or planned. If it represents anything, it recalls<br />
hours of quiet walking and looking, mindful of words often attributed to the famously observant<br />
Walker Evans, "Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop.<br />
Die knowing something. You are not here long." Good advice, and, as best I can determine,<br />
something that Evans actually said. Either way. True or not, relax and go with the music of it.<br />
Jim Natale<br />
Oxford, Mississippi<br />
February 2016
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