So my column Sunday really touched a nerve — I have gotten lots of responses (a few below) to my observations about how Barack Obama’s Inauguration has changed the way our kids will see the world. I hadn’t really thought of it as a confession, but now that I think of it … it was. And I can’t agree with CLJ, below. Even if we eventually leave Memphis, the things we’ve learned here have literally changed our lives.
From TM: I was moved by your column (confession) this morning. What a fine example for your son. Also thank you for listing your women mentors. The list evoked many rewarding memories for me, as I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with many of them.
You may have done your son well by bringing him to Memphis. He will definitely be exposed to a different way of doing things.
But, chances are, if you don’t do it first, your son will move away some day. He’ll realize that here he’ill always be viewed as “white, male and privileged.” (Certainly a lot of white males here don’t feel so privileged.) He’ll also probably come to the understanding that there is little chance he could ever be mayor of Memphis. Wrong race!
Six and a half years ago my wife and I moved our family away to a western state that we absolutely love. After being here 43 years, we wiped the dust of this place off our feet. Surprising enough, where we moved we have met Memphian after Memphian. One of them said, “How wonderful it is to be away from the armpit of Tennessee.”
So many people where we now live have an image of Memphis as very racial, violent and practically bankrupt. Race is just not the main issue there. It’s not even in the top ten. Though we see more interracial marriages, people just don’t mind. Crime there is way, way down. And homocide gets everyone’s attention, since it’s not an everyday happening. Honestly, the only things I miss from Memphis are my parents and the good Southern cooking.
I wish I had moved away many years ago. We missed out on so much. It’s nice not to have to be afraid. (The other day since I’ve been here my car was broken into while it was parked in my parents’ driveway. And their house has been robbed several times. I’ve never had that problem where we live now.)
So, Leanne, hope you continue to enjoy Memphis. And expose your son to all you can. I hope it woks out for you. But I predict, one day he’ll be long gone from this place.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Does this mean you are also leaving your position at Skirt? How does that affect the magazine? Will it continue? I like picking it up every month, even though the case nearest me never got the January issue in it.
Good luck in your new endeavor!