There is a line in the song "Royals" by Lorde that says "I'm not proud of my address, in a torn up town." Me being from the Mississippi Delta, Greenville to be exact, I often say I can relate to that line in the song. Now I know people who are also from The Delta or anyone else reading is probably saying, "Damn that's harsh," but its just been my mind set ever since I got to college.
Being from a region, and a town with high crime rates, high poverty rates, even one of the most obese regions in the state, you think nothing but negativity. Everyone has something negative to say about where they are from, its natural. But for me it seemed like I was always bashing The Delta, telling everyone its nothing special and not to waste their time trying to visit.
Well, I grew up (recently that is, lol) and I came to realize that home is home. It doesn't matter if you are from New York, New York or from the smallest city in Kansas. You love your home, and everything big or small in it. We all can't be born into a place that is full of abundant life or overly nice and polite people. I sat back and thought about all the things my hometown is and isn't. So I decided to highlight the is, because lets face it I have been verbally abusing my hometown for some time now.
That's why I want to talk to you about a little chunk of Mississippi that's none other than The Delta.
I'm going to give you a quick history lesson in one sentence.
The Mississippi Delta is HOME of the Blues. You can't go anywhere without seeing B.B. King (RIP) on a billboard or see a restaurant/ bar without the name Blues in it. Whenever I travel to New Orleans or Memphis and find myself wrapped and lost into some good ole blues, I always know I heard it in The Delta first.
Not only does The Delta have the honor of holding that Blues title, but we are also home to the second Grammy Museum in the world located in Cleveland, MS. Blown away is an understatement. People have come from all over to visit this new and absolutely beautiful tribute to not only artists we know and love, but to the Blues artists who we have grown up listening to. Freaking legendary.
Also, did you know Morgan Freeman (MS native) owns a restaurant/ bar in Clarksdale, MS? Yeah, he does, and he drops by every once in a blue moon. So you never know..Get caught in small town Clarksdale and you just might run into the man himself.
Greenville, MS
Call it as you see it. Hot Tamale capital of the world, home to Doe's one of the best steaks, Mighty Mississippi Music Festival, but for me I'll just call it home sweet home.
Bored on a Friday/ Saturday night? Head on over to The Blues Bar located on Walnut Street Downtown, and give Greenville natives, GoofyBoots a listen. These dudes are awesome y'all, next time you find yourself in The Delta go see what they're all about.
Hungry and want to be fully satisfied? Doe's, South Main Deli, Sherman's, Lillo's, you name it. These locally owned restaurants are more than amazing, and by far some of my home favorites. If you've never been to any of these awesome places, go, your stomach will thank you.
Fields full of life and churches on every corner, yeah its your typical southern city but hey it's home.
Lemme give not only the people of Greenville, but the entire Delta a hospitality shout out. You will never go to another place with such open arms and happy faces. Mississippi is known for Southern hospitality and man are they right.
Greenville will always be home. It will always offer me that sense of security that I don't think any other place will be able to give me.
The Delta is full of such rich history whether it be the 1927 flood or the reign of blues music taking over.
Clarksdale, Cleveland, Indianola, I could give you a list of what these MS Delta towns offer but I'm pretty sure there is a book on my Aunt's coffee table that says it all for me. A place I was once embarrassed to elaborate on to strangers is now a place I love and will forever cherish.
The Delta is unique. It's a little weird, a lot of country, kind of fun and really special in not just my eyes but everyone who is apart of it.
Once you get over the statistics, the labels, all of the negativity that I once couldn't look past...You find something you've been over looking for years and find the beauty.
My best friends have a sign in their home (also MS Delta natives) that reads "The Delta, No Place I'd Rather Be"
Oh, Mississippi Delta, there is no place I'd rather call home.
