Yes, I’m one of those Yankees who came down here and stayed. And, yes, the warmer-than Wisconsin weather is what drew me here in the first place, but the things that attract us Northerners to appreciate and love this beautiful city are its fascinating history, its delightful “Southern hospitality,” and its engaging charm.

Another thing about Natchez that seems particularly interesting and unique to this Yankee from small-town, rural Wisconsin, is the existence of two distinctly different  black and white cultures.

Most of the time those two cultures blend wonderfully together, with black people and white people playing, eating, shopping, etc., together amicably.

unfortunately,however, far too frequently, I am saddened and distressed to hear and see evidences of discrimination, hostility and animosity from persons of either culture.

“Those ‘blankety-blanks,’ they think they own the road,” or “Why don’t those ‘blankety-blanks’ ever pick up their own trash?”

When I express my discomfort with such statements,  I have sometimes been told, “You didn’t grow up here. You don’t understand.”

Perhaps that’s true, but one thing I do understand is that Satan enjoys seeing our discrimination and divisiveness.

Easter and April Fools’ Day are coming soon, and on that day many years ago, Jesus made a tremendous fool of the devil. Now it’s time for us to come together against Satan, to stop categorizing people, to see past the color skin and start recognizing all people as individuals, beautifully made by God.

One day, I was stranded on the outskirts of town with a flat tire. A very nice man stopped and changed my tire for me. he wouldn’t let me pay him and wouldn’t even tell me his name; just smiled, told me to have a nice day, and left. He was sort of like The Lone Ranger, but instead of a mask and white horse, he had black skin and rode off in a truck.

I think Jesus may have said “gotcha” to the devil that day. Let’s keep it happening. Have you had a similar, positive, cross-cultural experience? Perhaps you would like to share and we can start a new more positive “Me Too” movement here in Natchez.

With prayers for growth in friendly diversity.

Nelda Thomas,

Natchez