Survivng an EF-4 Tornado: ‘A disaster like this, you’ve just gotta pray.’

On Friday March 24 an EF-4 tornado hit Rolling Fork, Miss., devastating most of the Mississippi Delta town. Although all residents of Rolling Fork were affected by the same tornado, they all lived unique experiences and continue to do so in their recovery. To give some semblance of a bigger picture, The Daily Mississippian sought to tell a few of the residents’ stories. The print edition is photos only, and the full story can be read at thedmonline.com

My mom said, ‘Do you hear that? Take cover.’ We all got in the hallway, and Lord we just hear it, all of it: we can hear the shattering glass going through the house, debris all in your mouth and hair, everywhere. Lord Jesus. We just thank God that he spared us.

-Jeanette Dorsey

AARON BARROW thedmfeatures@gmail.com

In 1993, the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture partnered with Square Books in an effort to bring attention to the accomplishments of writers within the community.

The Oxford Conference for the Book has been a fruitful and ever expanding staple of the city’s literary community ever since.

The conference, while certainly a celebration of powerful stories, does not limit itself to writers. Editors, professors, scholars and other job titles are acknowledged throughout the three-day celebration of literature. Among those participating are Ace Atkins, Nic Brown, Anjali Enjeti, Jonathan Escoffery, Ralph Eubanks, Julian Herbert, James Hoch, Beverly Lowry, Deesha Philyaw, Charlie Parr and Michael X. Wang.

Conference director James G. Thomas emphasized the level of inclusivity within the event, allowing for all great art to be recognized.

“It’s great to know someone on the page and then to meet them in person,” Thomas said. “Knowing these people is the real reward.”

Thomas has served as the conference director since 2015 and served as an employee at Square Books in 1993 during the event’s conception.

Aside from serving as the head of the organization, Thomas is also the University of Mississippi’s associate director for publications within the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. His work as an editor and writing professor lends itself to the themes lying at the core of this annual event.

Thomas made sure to highlight the potential impact that the conference could have on the community, specifically students. He insists that having experiences like this with a vast array of fellow artists is an incredible opportunity for