Mississippi Native: Tiara Jackson
"Don’t get me wrong, I love my state...I just know that in order for me to become the person I know I can be, I have to leave."
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 Tiara Jackson, a student at Tougaloo College, tells us how she’s feeling about the upcoming elections and her hopes for Mississippi’s future.
Where are you from?
Terry, Mississippi
How long have you lived in Mississippi? Where are you in school now?
I’ve lived in Mississippi all my life, since December of 2002. I first attended Hinds Community College in Utica and graduated from there in May, and I now attend Tougaloo College.
What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?
Home to me means having an actual safe space. A space where I can go to and relax. Mississippi has a lot of hidden gems, whether that’s an art festival, Soulé Coffee & Bubble Tea, or hiking at Red Bluff. It’s all about finding the little things in life that keep you going.
Truthfully, I’ve never been one to keep up with candidates because they would come to my church when elections were coming up and then never come back.
How have you cultivated community in Mississippi? Who are the people who have made you feel rooted here?
When I was in high school, I didn’t think that I would find a community. It wasn’t until I found Amanda Furdge back in January of 2022 at the Two Mississippi Museums and we exchanged information. Ever since then, she has been a part of my life (come to find out she basically knows half my family). She has supported me in so many ways along with a bunch of other artists like Monica Hill, Sarah J., Vitamin Cea, Kim Shadey, Sharon Jimerson, Azia Wiggins, Juju (Mama Sana Jewels Owner), the list goes on. I don’t know if they know this or not, but they introduced me to a world of Jackson that I probably wouldn’t have known about otherwise. They bring me a sense of community, a safety net of being free. These women are creating the blueprint of the Mississippi I know we can live in. The Mississippi I know we can be.
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