Mississippi Native: Mason Migues
"There is so much work to be done for this state. With the new generation of Mississippians growing up, I think a brighter future may be on the horizon."
As we approach Election Day on November 7, Rooted is bringing you into the minds of candidates and young voters across the state. What does “home” mean to Mississippians who are working to affect political change this election season, or who have the most to lose or gain from elected officials’ actions? This week Mason Migues, a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, tells us how she’s feeling about the upcoming elections and her hopes for Mississippi’s future.
Where are you from?
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
How long have you lived in Mississippi? Where are you in school now?
I have lived in Mississippi my entire life. I am currently enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi!
What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?
Home is where I am comfortable, whether that is in the place where I grew up, with my friends, or just in my bed. These are all my home. Mississippi has a unique way of fitting into the meaning of “home.” Living in a place that does not legislatively support me or people like me is hard. With the vast majority also reciprocating the same feelings of exclusion, it is also very hard maneuvering about this place. However, the amount of people who support me have been significantly louder than the ones who don’t. My friends, grandmother, and brother are the people who I have to thank for this. They make Mississippi my home.
Living in a place that does not legislatively support me or people like me is hard. With the vast majority also reciprocating the same feelings of exclusion, it is also very hard maneuvering about this place.
How have you cultivated community in Mississippi? Who are the people who have made you feel rooted here?
Cultivating community in Mississippi as a queer person is extremely hard. However, it is not impossible. My institution, the University of Southern Mississippi, has allowed queer people to flourish. We have a very large queer population of students. This is where I have found my community. Sharing common lived experiences with most individuals on campus has allowed me to find the people that make me feel seen and heard. On the other hand, USM has also allowed me to meet people from other lived experiences. I have cultivated friendships with people who do not share the same lived experiences as me. That’s what’s great about my community. I am grateful to not have the same group of people around me at all times. I find great value in having a diverse group of friends and I actively try to make that diversity even more diverse. These are the people who have made me feel rooted here. The friends I surround myself with. I see a future in Mississippi with these people.
My institution, the University of Southern Mississippi, has allowed queer people to flourish. We have a very large queer population of students. This is where I have found my community.
How are you feeling about the upcoming elections?
Woof. I am honestly not feeling great. I am typing this answer as of August 13th, and the recent primaries have me feeling very down. However, I do not feel helpless or fearful. I feel inspired. My generation is one of the best generations, in my humble opinion. We have come so far in terms of inclusion and diversity. We have paved ways for people like me and continue every single day to ensure the inclusion of all people. Even though our current lawmakers have made it nearly impossible to see from an outside perspective, we are still trying every day. But I do not want to negate the foundation that was laid out for us from previous generations. We would not be able to have a voice if it were not for changemakers before us. For that, I thank you. However, the fight is not over.
In terms of the presidential election, I am also feeling very nervous, but hopeful. As Biden’s first term comes to an end, the outlook for queer and trans people is feeling dim. With Biden’s outward support for queer and trans Americans, it has almost made my community feel emboldened, but I am scared for what my community might be facing with the upcoming elections.
What issues are most important to you as a young voter that Mississippi candidates are or aren’t talking about?
Unfortunately, Mississippi candidates are focusing on buzz words and not buckling down on real issues. I saw a political ad about two weeks ago and its overarching message was “protect women from men entering women’s restrooms” and “keep men out of women’s sports.” These buzzwords and inflaming phrases have real life consequences to real life people. The problem isn’t that Mississippi candidates are not talking about human rights, it’s that they are. They are spreading hateful and inflamed messages about transgender people and it's fueling the overarching hatred some Americans have for us.
Do you plan on staying in Mississippi after you graduate? What role do Mississippi politics play in your decision to stay in or leave the state?
If you would’ve asked me this question a year ago, my answer would have been: “Absolutely!” A year later, my answer still stands. There is so much work to be done for this state. With the new generation of Mississippians growing up, I think a brighter future may be on the horizon. I see people in my generation with so much knowledge and competence. We as a generation are more politically inclined and much more aware than past generations. It brightens my soul and keeps me hopeful.
The problem isn’t that Mississippi candidates are not talking about human rights, it’s that they are. They are spreading hateful and inflamed messages about transgender people and it's fueling the overarching hatred some Americans have for us.
What do you wish older Mississippians understood about what it’s like to be a young person living in this state?
It’s hard. I want older Mississippians to know that the road that they have paved for us is hard to navigate. With stigmas surrounding getting a job, who you should love, who you should be, and where you should go in life, it’s hard finding your place. As a sociology major, I have been met with so many demeaning questions of “Well what are you going to do with that?” and “Is that going to pay enough?” I am painting my own future for me. I want to go into a job that enriches me, not a job where I am miserable and just took because of the money. I want them to understand that the young people of this generation do not want to follow in the same footsteps as them. We are all learning and evolving and should have the space to do so.
Do you have a favorite Mississippi changemaker who you think everyone needs to know about?
I want to highlight Angie Thomas. She is an award winning author and Jackson, Mississippi native. She is famously known for writing The Hate U Give. Her book has impacted thousands of people worldwide and somehow I never knew she was a Jackson, Mississippi, native. I think local activists and changemakers like Angie need to be highlighted to the fullest extent. Fighting for human rights in Mississippi is hard and people who are paving the way deserve recognition.
There is so much work to be done for this state. With the new generation of Mississippians growing up, I think a brighter future may be on the horizon.
If you had one billion dollars to invest in Mississippi, how would you spend your money?
If I had one billion dollars to invest in Mississippi I would give people adequate housing. My biggest aspiration in life is to make sure everyone has an education. I believe that it is a human right. However, if individuals are not given proper housing how are they supposed to focus on their education? Additionally, I would try to ensure that those people are not only given appropriate housing but are also given enough money to help feed them. Supporting your body and mind is the only way to a successful education. Getting educated is hard enough, you should not need to worry about your living situation on top of it.
What or who do you want to shamelessly promote? (It can absolutely be a project you’re working on, or something you are involved in.)
I shamelessly promote The Spectrum Center, the PRISM LGBTQIA+ resource center offered on USM’s campus, as well as an queer student-led organization I am a part of called SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equity). Resources for queer individuals in today’s political climate are crucial. I am so thankful to have spaces like these that are for me and by people like me.
I'm so glad to see that you'll be staying in Mississippi when you graduate! Your honesty and empathy will surely help to make our state a better place to live.