Mississippi Native: Jamie Dickson

"Home is a place that supports you, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. Mississippi has nourished me in a lot of ways, but it’s also quite burdensome."

What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Today we hear from poet, teacher, and haiku lover James Dickson.

Featured contributor, Jamie Dickson.

 Where are you from?

Born in Hattiesburg, lived in Jackson since 1997

How long have you lived in Mississippi?

All 43 years I’ve been on this planet.

What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?

Home is a place that supports you, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. Mississippi has nourished me in a lot of ways, but it’s also quite burdensome. 

How have you cultivated community in Mississippi? Who are the people who have made you feel rooted here?

Being a native Mississippian, I have an advantage of having been able to organically form a community while growing up. I’m still in contact with friends from high school and college, and I’ve been able to forge some amazing friendships in the arts and education community.  

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I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and being a writer means embracing (not necessarily understanding) complexity. We got complexity! 

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What’s the weirdest question or assumption you’ve encountered about Mississippi (or about you as a Mississippian) by someone who’s never been here?

I’ve heard variations of “you’re so articulate” more times than I can count. That nice, causal classism.  Bless their hearts.