Wael Ghonim returned to Egypt to lead a revolution that freed Egyptians from state tyranny. I returned to Mississippi several years ago to care for ailing grandmother. My plans were to leave once she kicked the bucket. However, life has a way of changing plans. After yesterday's round of politics, I am glad I stayed.
I have met people who allow me to no longer feel like a fish out of water. They are passionate about progressive change in Mississippi. They understand that playing party politics will not improve life for Mississippians. The passion expressed by all of them for using education of all of the state's children to lift up the state is tangible. They use words that speak to all Mississippians no matter race, sex, sexual orientation, or political party affiliation. They are tired of the "brain drain" that keeps Mississippi last in the union. Some of them never left Mississippi and some returned home to start a revolution.
I admire these people for coming home with an intent to start a revolution. It is time for an intellectual revolution in Mississippi. We need it to move beyond the self-imposed limits we have placed on ourselves and on our economy. I have always been amazed in my travels meeting Mississippians outside Mississippi who are helping other states and countries achieve a level of success unknown in Mississippi. Our discussions would always turn to, "Why not in Mississippi?". Our answers were always a smile and a knowing look as we enjoyed the freedom of our host city.
My recent encounters with those who have returned home give hope to me. I am also encouraged by those who never left but have become so tired they no longer can sit on the sidelines quietly. Because of these people,no longer will we ask, "Why not in Mississippi?". Take time to get to know Heather McTeer and Dorsey Carson. Like Wael Ghonim they have returned home to free people from the mindset of poverty that has allowed business as usual to occur in Mississippi.
http://electdorsey.com/
http://heathermcteer.com/
I have met people who allow me to no longer feel like a fish out of water. They are passionate about progressive change in Mississippi. They understand that playing party politics will not improve life for Mississippians. The passion expressed by all of them for using education of all of the state's children to lift up the state is tangible. They use words that speak to all Mississippians no matter race, sex, sexual orientation, or political party affiliation. They are tired of the "brain drain" that keeps Mississippi last in the union. Some of them never left Mississippi and some returned home to start a revolution.
I admire these people for coming home with an intent to start a revolution. It is time for an intellectual revolution in Mississippi. We need it to move beyond the self-imposed limits we have placed on ourselves and on our economy. I have always been amazed in my travels meeting Mississippians outside Mississippi who are helping other states and countries achieve a level of success unknown in Mississippi. Our discussions would always turn to, "Why not in Mississippi?". Our answers were always a smile and a knowing look as we enjoyed the freedom of our host city.
My recent encounters with those who have returned home give hope to me. I am also encouraged by those who never left but have become so tired they no longer can sit on the sidelines quietly. Because of these people,no longer will we ask, "Why not in Mississippi?". Take time to get to know Heather McTeer and Dorsey Carson. Like Wael Ghonim they have returned home to free people from the mindset of poverty that has allowed business as usual to occur in Mississippi.
http://electdorsey.com/
http://heathermcteer.com/
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