I’ve lived on the coast a good while now. Some things I’ve noticed that make it different are the job opportunities. There’s the state’s largest employer in HII. There’s also other smaller shipyards scattered from Pascagoula to Gulfport. There’s also the seafood industry and plenty of coastline for casinos. 2 of those 3 can’t exist anywhere else in the state. A decent job can always be found down here. Can the same be said for the rest of the state? I don’t believe so.
People from Ocean Springs or even just short timers that have an association with the place are quite prideful about it. Madison is about the only other city I’ve heard people be as prideful about in the state.
For small towns, such as Starkville, which might not be small for the case of the OP’s point, what keeps them going? Is there any industry that keeps it going other than being a college town? What is there to keep all the other small towns in the state growing and prospering? A lot of places, you have to drive 20-30 miles just to get groceries.
The biggest problem with “improvements” in industry is that generally it’s always done to increase profits and likely reduces the workforce. Automation and larger more sophisticated equipment just means there’s less people working. If that’s what happens, are improvements really improvements if it takes a job from somebody to improve the bottom line for the owner or shareholders?
Are there actually “segregation” schools throughout the state? My experience was if you paid tuition and made the grades, you could stay regardless of your racial makeup. Do some consider JA, Prep, MRA, among others as “segregation private schools”?
I’m aware of many families here who send their kids to Catholic schools that aren’t white or Catholic. Not sure where the segregation part comes into play.
This is an overall interesting topic other than the fact that race was a driver in the topic. Thanks for all the wisdom y’all share. Keep it coming.