Hale County Debrief

I’ve been trying to congeal my thoughts enough to write something cohesive here about my experience in Alabama, but it isn’t an easy one to wrap my head around, or express in a very succinct way. I’ll do my best to get to the heart of the matter though.

Hale County, Alabama is, in many ways, a place of contradictions. It is a place that seems to be in a time warp—still espousing the injustices of decades past—yet it is infused with an abundance of very forward-thinking people who are responding daily to what is literally a humanitarian crisis of pretty epic proportions. It is difficult to comprehend the dichotomy that is Hale County without first-hand experiencing its culture, understanding its roots, and speaking to its people.

After just one short week there, I feel very much that I have lived my entire existence in a well-insulated and protected bubble. I am grateful to have burst this bubble. I feel so naïve, so ignorant, so sheltered—because I had no idea that right now, in 2009, there are places in America that are essentially still racially segregated. To hear that a black child can’t go to the swimming pool, or play in his front yard, or that due to complicated Alabama property laws and white bank managers who won’t loan money to “those people,” blacks can rarely own property and therefore don’t have access to the means to live with dignity…well, this really burst my bubble of idealism.

I did my best to immerse myself (judgment-free) into the culture of the deep, rural South…even to the point of attending a church dinner. That’s right—I infiltrated the enemy camp. I’d like to think they didn’t know about my dissenting beliefs; surely they would be praying for my lost soul if they did.

It’s not really possible for me to go into detail here about my experience…but that will come later with the completion of my project. All I can say right now is that I had a wonderfully enlightening experience, and once again feel more aware, more informed, and in possession of a new perspective. Makes me love this journey we call life.

Adventure Awaits Me

Since I’m a true city girl at heart—and one who has never desired to travel to America’s south—I would never have believed I’d be excited to go to Alabama. But I am. After doing all the abstract research on Rural Studio that I possibly can, I’m making the leap into real, “visceral” research. I will see the impoverished communities of Hale County for myself, and see what Rural Studio is all about. I hope to gain a better understanding of why I am so enthralled with this program, and with the issue of poverty. Throughout this process, many people have asked me why I’m so passionate about this particular issue, and I don’t know how to answer. I guess I’ve always been one to root for the underdog, and I have a serious loathing for disparity. I also want to die knowing that I’ve used my life wisely, rather than frivolously.

I don’t yet have a specific plan for my time there, but through the graces of the Internet and an evolving and ever-growing grapevine of generous people, I’ve connected with some who are graciously offering to help. I’ve been constantly amazed by the generosity and hospitality of those I’ve been in contact with. As a matter of fact, I’ve been set up with a place to stay and have already been invited to dinner on my first night, with a group of people I’ve never met. I love it…reminds me of my favorite place—Italy!

I’ve also recently come into the knowledge that the faculty members in my program are paying close attention to what I’m doing with this project. They are very curious to see what comes of this; they want to use my insights to better connect the program with a new set of ethical values. That is a huge weight to bear, but one that I take as a vote of confidence in my ability to deliver.

I will update as it comes!