Mississippi Native: Malcolm White

"Mississippi is what I know—the rhythm, the pace, the landscape, the people."

What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Malcolm White grew up in Perkinston and Booneville, Mississippi, but has called Jackson home for most of his adult life. A longtime supporter of the arts and artists, Malcolm founded the iconic Jackson establishment Hal & Mal’s with his late brother Hal White. In the 1980s, he and some friends got a permit to stroll down Capitol Street dressed like characters from Tennessee Williams plays. It was the beginning of what would become the phenomenon that is Hal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade—a spring celebration full of music, outlandish costumes, and festivity. The 41st Hal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday March 23rd. Below, Malcolm tells us what keeps him rooted in his home state.

Malcolm marches down the parade route for the 40th year. 

Where are you from?

I was born in Hattiesburg, but we lived in Perkinston where my father worked for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, then known simply as Perk Jr. College. We moved to Booneville, Mississippi in the summer of 1965 when my father became president of Northeast Mississippi Community College. That’s where I went to high school and then I did two years at Northeast where I played football, participated in student government, and was in theater productions. 

How long have you lived in Mississippi?

I’ve lived in Mississippi basically all my life, but I have spent some time living in California, New Orleans, and Florida. 

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

Home is where I sink my roots and feel connected. My home is Jackson and has been since 1978. I came here for a one year job and stayed. Funny how that works. Mississippi is what I know—the rhythm, the pace, the landscape, the people. We are a creative lot and I like to say we are 2.9 million storytellers strong. I am comfortable here and my family is here.

Malcolm and his wife Kara Norris White.

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

As I have said, my family is from Mississippi and my roots are planted here. My community is diverse. When I moved to Jackson, I adopted my best friend from high school Michael Rubenstein’s circle of friends and then built my own support group from there. Rube had lived here for several years and I liked the crowd he ran with—writers, musicians, actors, journalists, and old hippies. 

My family and friends root me here. The remarkable cast of creative people who have come from Mississippi inspire me. I think of them daily. 

Ms. Welty casts a daily shadow over me and my life. I live where she lived. I walk and shop and trudge the same paths she trudged. I once caroled to her at Christmas at her home.

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?

How can y’all be so cool and yet so country?

St. Paddy’s Day parade revelers from years past.

 How has living in Mississippi affected your identity and your life’s path?

It has opened a multitude of doors that I struggled to unlock in other places. Here, I know somebody who knows somebody…

Being a decent sized fish in a small stream is helpful. Access to resources and people is important. Everyone is approachable and hospitable. We are neighborly and welcoming by nature.

What is something that you’ve learned about Mississippi only by living here? In what ways has Mississippi lived up to your expectations?

I didn’t have expectations. I knew what to expect from my people and my home. I’ve learned to go slow and take small miracles and victories as progress. We are a work in progress and I have to be tolerant and loving if I want to be happy and successful.