Porch + Prairie Spring 2023 Preview

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Spring Summer FALL winter

FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Peder von Harten

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Todd Malone

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Abby Carlton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Abby Carlton, Kelsi McKee, Robin Young, Kevin Martone, Cameron Riser, Rebekah Iliff, Edgar Castillo

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Timothy Eberly, Chris King, Brandon Taylor, Alexandra Gorn, Christian Domingues, Barth Bailey, Steven van Elk, Zach Zook, Angela Bartock, Lori Stevens, Sean Foster, Dave Hoefler, Megan Ellis

NATIONAL SALES

Tonie Ellis at tonieellismedia@gmail.com or advertising@porchprairiemag.com

TO SUBSCRIBE

visit porchprairiemag.com/subscribe Porch + Prairie is published four times a year by Flying V Media, LLC DBA Piper Ranch Media, Oxford, MS 38655. Subscriptions are for one and two years (5 issues per year), Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 587 Oxford, MS 38655

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To offer stories and /or photographs to be considered for publication in Porch + Prairie,email them to todd@porchprairiemag.com. Emails should include full contact information. We reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, brevity and print quality.

Porch + Prairie may not be reproduced or photocopied without permission of the publisher Flying V Media, LLC or Piper Ranch Media © Flying V Media, LLC 2021.

Where the Sporting Life Lives

As America’s premier sporting community, Brays Island embodies a shared passion for the outdoors. Deepen your connection to friends, family and your own adventuresome spirit exploring 5,500 pristine acres of waterways, fields and woodlands.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Friends, Spring has always signified a metaphorical “re-birth” of our surroundings and for good reason. The flowers come back to bloom, the grass turns green, the mountains start to thaw, and both our human and furry friends start to wake up from their Winter slumbers. I suppose the same can be said for Porch + Prairie, beginning with this issue. Inside this issue you’ll find stories from regions of the country and lifestyle interests that we haven’t featured previously. Beyond that, you’ll notice that our stories will bring in the full spectrum of our American journey as we dig in a little deeper into how our country came to be, for better or worse.

As writers, we love the research and the quest to find information that makes a story interesting, more relatable, or increases the opportunity for the reader to know more. Truth be told, sometimes that research reveals parts of the story that might go against our norms or values, or might not be the best examples of altruism or humanity, but yet responsible journalism and writing says you tell the story anyways. It provides perspective, but also provides readers with a chance to truly understand the past, the present, and what the future might look like. As you read through these stories, there is a different type of “hard work” or “resilience” than what we might have traditionally alluded to in past issues.

My hope is that as you take in the story, you gain a new perspective for how we got here and see the different ways that people have overcome a variety of hardships or had to contend with a sometimes faceless challenge in order to chase down that American dream. Quite honestly, we all chase that dream, but some have a much larger amount of challenges to achieve it. Recognizing that is step one. Step two is respecting the past, arming yourself with knowledge about it, and then making informed decisions about how the future should unfold. As the rebirth of a new year comes in and our respective environments again come to life, I ask our readers to think deeply about they can better understand the world around us and how America became the great nation it is.

- PvH

Peder von Harten - Editor-in-Chief von Harten

Peder

CONTRIBUTORS

Abby Carlton was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her and her family never shied away from a road trip or flight to a new city. She loves exploring new places she’s never been before and creating traditions around spots worth returning back to. Whether it’s making someone smile or laugh, or spending a little time out of her day helping others out, Abby is always appreciating the little things that help her choose joy each day. Abby currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi and enjoys traveling to visit her family on the Mississippi Coast and back in Louisiana, which will always be home.

Kevin Martone balances a busy professional life with his passion for the outdoors. A nationally recognized expert in mental health and the Executive Director of a national non-profit, Kevin’s business travels enable him to enjoy the local culture and landscape in states throughout America. From Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, to New England and across the South, Kevin creates opportunities in the outdoors whenever and wherever he can. Kevin spends his personal time hunting, fishing, trail running, and enjoying sunsets with his wife, Sasha, on the dock of their family pond.

Kelsi McKee has been writing poetry and stories since she was old enough to scratch words on paper. She completed her first novel when she was 18 and continues to write while balancing a full-time job in the news industry. Originally from Northwest and a graduate of Texas A&M, Kelsi has enjoyed adventuring across the country and making her way to her current home in South Carolina. Away from pen and paper, Kelsi enjoys her time on the golf course and of course, cheering on her Aggies.

Rebekah Iliff is an award-winning humor writer, author, and entrepreneur raised in the midwest living in the south. She has a knack for turning difficult topics into digestible stories and loves giving people the unexpected laugh. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Fast Company and Forbes to Weekly Humorist and the Erma Bombeck Blog. She released her first book, Champagne for One, in February 2022. Rebekah’s favorite part of the day is sitting on the back stoop, watching the sunset with her husband and pup.

Personal website: rebekahiliff.com

IG: @rebekahiliffweaver

Book website: ChampageforOne.com

Robin Young is a senior pre-law student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Intelligence and Security Studies. She is an adventure-lover at heart with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, you can find Robin spending time with her dogs or her two horses named Izak and Too, hiking in a new city, playing the acoustic guitar, or at the gym. Robin is an active member of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta and the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

Cameron Riser is a coffee enthusiast, dog lover, and considerable sports fan, she stayed in the south pursuing a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Mississippi. She is not a twin but a triplet, born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. In her free time, you can find Cameron on the tennis courts or with a camera in hand, snapping pictures at whatever fancies her eye.

Edgar Castillo is a recently retired law enforcement officer for a large Kansas City metropolitan agency. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for twelve years. Edgar was born in Guatemala, and when his family came to the U.S., his father, a new bird hunter himself, would take Edgar afield in search of roosters and bobs. Edgar’s passion lies in the uplands as he self-documents his travels across public lands throughout Kansas and the U.S., hunting open fields and prairies, walking treelines, & bustin’ through plum thickets, in a never-ending chase to hunt wild birds in wild places.

You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @hunt_birdz

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Photo by Chris King

Front Steps

by Abby Carlton

25 UNDER 25

Growing up, it’s normal to be taught that as a little girl, you should be married by 25, settled in life, and achieving all these great and grandiose goals. However, I’ve learned recently that it’s also okay to not have checked any of those boxes by a certain time or on someone else’s timeline. I’d like to believe that I’m somewhere in the middle of the two—happy and proud of where I am, checking my boxes on my timeline. This year, 2023, is the year I turn 25. It feels like a pivotal year in my adulthood, but I don’t know who I’m trying to convince that I’m an adult, me or you.

I’m channeling my inner Andie Anderson, which---if you get that reference, did we just become best friends? I wanted to share with you, the readers of Porch + Prairie Magazine, 25 things I’ve learned to honor my 25th year of life. I kind of feel like I’m walking the fine line of feeling responsible and really mature for my age, but also the, “What the heck does she know?” insecurities that creep in from time to time. Bear with me here, I’ve learned some of these things on my own – others took some convincing.

PassingThrough

by Cameron Riser

Photo by Zach Zook

inForged Time

There is a clear mark that the works of Frederic Remington made on the American art scene and his work helped bring to the forefront the scenes of the West. He introduced many to what was happening on the frontier, far away from the swelling cities along the Atlantic coast. In his travels, the element of excitement to return to a land he was fond of was also met with the uncertainty that comes with a long ride on the trail. Weather, disease, famine, threats from Native Americans, threats from overzealous White expansionists, or simply bad luck were all just around the bend for those who made the trip. For Remington, it seems that the reward was well worth the risk and for those who appreciate his work, we gained an incredibly detailed insight into the period and the place by way of his writing, his paintings, and his cast bronze sculptures.

A native of New York, Remington initially attended art school at Yale, only to withdraw to aid an ailing father who would later pass. In lieu of returning to school, Remington set his sights on the West, believing he could make a living in mining or cattle, though he lacked the money to make it work. Instead, he was met with the rewards of the views and set on a path determined to share that with others. While famous for his bronze sculptures and all their detail, many forget that Remington was also a writer and painter and hadn’t started doing bronze work until he was nearly 40. Those

early writing and flat works earned him the admiration of former President Teddy Roosevelt, who commissioned Remington to do a set of 80 illustrations for the book, “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail.” Those illustrations were the culmination of countless trips through the frontier, the West, and into Old Mexico where he would study the intricacies of each region, further perfecting his craft and his attention to even the most subtle details.

Remington died an early age, leaving many wondering what the next iteration of his work would entail. Interested in the military and war time elements, Remington’s life would have likely seen the beginnings of World War I and perhaps the dawn of a new era of work. Instead, Remington died of illness on December 26, 1909, but his legacy lives on in homes, hotels, and museums around the country. The central feature of that legacy is in Ogdensburg, New York at the Frederic Remington Art Museum. The museum is home to many of his works, but also home to artifacts and pieces from Remington’s personal life.

In wanting to learn more about the historical significance in Remington’s work and understand his place in both the Americana and art worlds, Porch + Prairie spoke with Douglas McDonald, the Museum’s Interim Director, who gives us a better perspective on the life and art of this American icon.

Photos courtesy of Frederic Remington Museum and The Remington Art Memorial

The Power of WE

Made is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides jobs and job training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in the Birmingham Metro area. The organization envisions a world in which all people can reach their highest vocational potential. The workforce development program builds that world by training participants in the food service and retail industries through hands-on work experience alongside a curriculum around job readiness.

That work experience is in the form of making home goods that are sold to the larger community. There are three lines of WE Made products: Southern-inspired baking mixes, all-natural sprays, and fire starters.

The program is housed within a parent organization, Workshops Empowerment Inc. (WE Inc.). WE Inc. was founded in 1900 when a group of Birmingham citizens established a workshop for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, especially those with vision impairments. Initially, the participants at the workshop created products for sale, including brooms and mops. In each of the World Wars, Workshops flourished with government contracts, and from the 1950s through the 1970s, WE Inc. established woodworking, upholstery, and general craftwork capabilities. At one point, Workshops even had a band – The Alley Cats – who played for President Nixon!

WEToday, the parent organization of WE Made provides a variety of services, including vocational evaluation, community employment, youth transition, and affirmative business enterprise. Amongst this list, Workshops realized that they were missing a mission-aligned service that was owned in-house from start to finish.

After a business partner of WE Inc. offered their scrap saw-dust from their reclaimed urban woodworking studio, the team got to the drawing board. While it was a kind donation, what could one do with bags upon bags of sawdust? Taking to the motto, “one man’s trash is another’s treasure,” the team got creative and began manufacturing the first WE Made product: the fire starter. The pinecone-shaped starter, made with just sawdust and wax, became a major hit at weekend markets and local stores alike for its mission and functionality.

With its initial success, the team decided to grow again. WE Made added a line of all-natural sprays: the Bugg Off natural insect repellant, the Relax linen & room spray, and the two scents of Stinky Dog sprays (the beloved “doggy deodorants”). Now with five products on the market, WE Made became more than an additional income stream for the organization, it became a steady job opportunity viable to scale.

How does an organization transition from a good idea to a legitimate plan? The problem and solution: there is no one right way. With any idea, especially within the realm of business, the solution comes from steadfastly standing by whatever decision you make.

Photos courtesy of WE Made Inc.

The 26th annual Double Decker Arts Festival is scheduled for April 28-29, 2023. This celebration of music, arts and food takes over the downtown Square of charming Oxford, Mississippi and brings people from all over the southeast for a weekend of fun.

The history of the Double Decker Arts Festival began in 1996 when the director of tourism wanted to create a festival in April to help fill hotel rooms and restaurant seats for local merchants. At the time, Ole Miss baseball wasn’t the crowd-draw that it is now and this local festival was a way to fill the void. The city had imported a British double decker bus in 1994, which became the inspiration for the name of the festival. Back in 1996, the “stage” was a flatbed truck from an 18-wheeler and the bands played with hopes of getting paid in the second year.

Since 2005, the festival has accumulated more than 25 awards from local, regional and national awards including Best Large Festival by the Mississippi Tourism Association in 2009 and 2022, Top 20 event by Southeast Tourism Society and Best Free Event in the state of Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine.

Throughout the years, the festival has grown in scale and size while coordinators have strived to keep the integrity and charm of the original family-friendly festival. A large-scale stage is built on

North Lamar Blvd. rather than an 18-wheeler bed; headlining musical acts are booked months in advance; artists from all over the country apply to be a part of the showcase and hotel rooms are booked almost a year out for the last weekend in April in Oxford. In 2022, the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with the largest crowd ever recorded. Estimates proved that over 100,000 people attended the two-day music and one-day art festival, up 50% from previous years.

More art vendors than ever showcased during the 2022 festival with over 150 artists from all over the Southeast. Art vendors at the festival are required to create hand-made goods, so attendees can expect to find one-of-a-kind items to purchase. With a wide variety of artists showcasing, you never know what you’ll find: hand-made bird houses, oil paintings, handcrafted wooden kitchen utensils, jewelry, and so much more. The art vendor showcase is only on Saturday, but you can catch a preview with the Oxford Artist Guild showcase on Friday, located in the

Boles Wiley Alley on the Square.

Photos courtesy of Visit Oxford

CelebratingSpring

Hometown Homemade

Written by Robin Young

Leather crafting is an art that has existed for centuries yet has proved to be timeless and continues to progress into new forms, trends, and fashions today.

Way back in the prehistoric ages, huntergatherers sought animals for sustenance but came to a realization: these animals have resourceful uses outside of as food alone, as their hides could provide clothing and shelter against the harsh elements. This realization was the dawn of leather working, shaping, and crafting.

Leather crafting in forms more similar to what we see today dates back as far as the Stone Age. In the 8th century, the Greeks and Romans realized the usefulness of leather for creative purposes, creating shoes, purses, and even protective shields out of leather. We can thank the Romans for introducing us to a myriad of new leather crafts in a creative yet useful manner, such as saddle making.

Into the Renaissance, a more creative and artistic touch was applied to leatherworking. Rather than solely tanning leather to be used mostly for practical purposes, techniques for painting, dying, and shaping leather were applied to turn leather into decorative and intricate items such as shoes, purses, furniture, and more.

In modern times, leather is all around us, for both practical and designer purposes. Leathercraft is defined as using leather to create useful objects, beautiful artwork, or a combination of both, using techniques of coloring and shaping. Leather craftsmen use

the leather to create brilliant and unique designs and products for customers around the world.

In crafting this piece, as I dove more into the rich history of leatherwork in America, I grew increasingly interested in the stories behind the faces of these talented men and women. Seeing an opportunity to focus on and highlight homegrown talent, I was connected with Mike Johnson, of Batesville, Mississippi, and David Haselrig, of Rock Spring, Georgia. I was eager to talk with these two talented men and hear their stories of how they became the skillful leather craftsmen they are today.

First, I asked the two men how they got into this line of work and was greatly intrigued by their answers.

Johnson, located in North Mississippi, owner of Town and Country Leatherworks, first got into leather crafting to build a personal, EDC concealed carry holster for his favorite handgun. Johnson describes having general ideas of what he wanted in a holster, but was unsure whether he could make his idea become a reality. After gathering information of the products he would need and the process of building a holster from the internet, he began his efforts of creating the holster. He states the importance of “keeping an open mind,” as he had never worked with anything as supple and pliable as leather. Johnson watched video tutorials and did a large amount of research, and after this, drew up a template, had the proper weight of leather cut out and assembled, and stitched up the leather by hand.

Photos courtesy of Town & Country Leatherworks

Forgotten Heroes:

Clarence “Fats” Jenkins

Forgotten Heroes: George “Tubby” Scales

Preserving the Pageantry and History of Black Baseball in America

by Peder von Harten

Forgotten Heroes:

Forgotten Heroes:

Jose Maria Fernandez

Forgotten Heroes:

Samuel “Sam” Bankhead

As Spring begins anew, so does another season of one of America’s most beloved institutions—baseball. All across the country, ballplayers of every age dust off their mitt, pick up a ball, and hope for those days of sunshine, warmth, and the smell of the fresh cut grass on a diamond. Even if you’re not the type that circles words like “Pitchers and Catchers Report” or “Opening Day” on your calendar, chances are that you can appreciate the excitement that others have for the return of another baseball season. It really is part of the backbone of our nation and throughout organized baseball’s history, it has been a rock to lean on during times of strife, of war, and of national sorrow. I invite you to find somewhere on YouTube a video of President George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch of Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium, a short month and a half after the attacks of September 11th. It was a stirring moment in a city that could still smell the soot in the air and whose residents were still attending the

Arthur “Rats” Henderson

memorial services of those lost that day. If the galvanizing impact of baseball is not apparent in moments like that, then I’m afraid I can’t help create a stronger image for you. It is America’s pastime, enjoyed by young and old, year after year after year.

Throughout our country, there are frequent reminders of this great game virtually everywhere you look. From inner city to small farm towns, the baseball diamond has been the gathering place for countless games of catch or the first stomping grounds for the next generation of professional stars, but then there are ballparks whose echoes are of both great pageantry and great tragedy alike. Throughout the American South, as well as a smattering of other regions, the ballparks formerly occupied by the Negro Baseball Leagues are reminders of a time when baseball was played by all, but was hardly the unifying game that it is today. During times of segregation and long before Jackie

Forgotten Heroes: Hurley McNair Center for Negro League Baseball Research

Photos courtesy of Negro League Baseball Research

Center

Photo by Megan Ellis

Research

The only crowds out here are under the water.

The fish are biting all along the Mississippi coast, which means it’s the perfect time to plan your next guys’ trip. Start things off with some deep-sea fishing, and then hit our casinos for nonstop gaming, live music, and a round of Topgolf – or, if you prefer, zombie dodgeball (which you’ll be glad to know is just a simulation). Learn more at VisitMississippi.org/GuysTrip.

Heroes:

#WanderMS

Baseball

DAN Smalley

Annie Get Your Guns

By Rebekah Iliff

One woman’s journey out of the bullet-proof closet and into the world of firearms

Photo by Alexandra Gorn

THE COMPELLING CASE FOR CONSERVATION ADVOCACY:

HOW THE CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION SUPPORTS AMERICA’S SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN

In Washington D.C. there is an oft-repeated phrase, “you’re either at the table or you’re on the menu.” As sportsmen and women, our inherent desire is to be in the field, beyond the drudgery of boardrooms and meetings, appreciating nature and the bounty it has to offer. Unfortunately, while we might not always be thinking about politics, without strong advocacy, the freedoms we enjoy in America’s outdoors could disappear with the stroke of a pen. That is why, since 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has maintained a singleness of purpose, to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. But what does that really look like? Sure, you may have seen Hollywood adaptations that portray lobbying as work done in the shadows, using questionable means to pull the levers of power. In reality, the work of an advocacy group is much more akin to a fire department than a spy agency; ever vigilant to threats, responding to situations as they arise, but above all, engaging in education and outreach as a first line of defense.

At CSF, we are proud to serve America’s sportsmen and women as the informed authority across outdoor issues and the primary conduit for influencing public policies that impact those who spend time in the field, on the water, and at the shooting range. We are also fortunate to have a group of dedicated outdoorsmen and women working at both the state and federal levels to monitor legislation, speak out on behalf of sportsmen and women, educate lawmakers, and serve as a trusted, credible voice among those whose decisions ultimately determine the fate of our outdoor heritage.

Through the unique and collective force of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, CSF is able to work with an unprecedent network of pro-sportsmen elected officials on Capitol Hill and throughout the United States. In fact, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, working closely with CSF, is one of the largest and most effective bipartisan caucuses in Congress, and it is this bipartisan approach that is at the heart of our mission. While sportsmen and women may not agree on everything,

Photos courtesy of The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

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Jeff Crane

If you are a hunter, angler, or sportsman of any fashion here in the United States, then you owe Jeff Crane a drink. As the head of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Jeff and his team spearhead the efforts to preserve a great future for those who enjoy the sporting life and outdoor pursuits. Operating in a town like DC is no easy task, but Jeff’s passion for the mission shines through and his remarkable record over the two-decade span at the helm of CSF speaks for itself. In between industry shows, Foundation events, and preparing for a new Congress, we caught up with Jeff to reflect upon what his mission means to himself, his colleagues, and the millions of Americans who rely on CSF’s success to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.

P+P: Jeff, the past 20 years with CSF have brought about some great work by you and your team to really advance what CSF represents in preserving the sporting way of life for the generations to come. Are there one or two achievements over that time period that really stand out most?

JC: Considering that just in the last five years alone, CSF has been instrumental in securing over 1,000 victories for sportsmen at the state level and dozens of victories at the federal level, it’s difficult to pick just one or two specific achievements. That being said, one area at the state level that stands out the most to me is CSF’s efforts to rollback antiquated Sunday hunting laws. At the federal level, I would point to the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 which included full funding for the Making Public Lands Public provision, a priority that seeks to increase access to public lands for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. At a time when Congress is severely divided, especially in 2020, we saw the great outdoors bring Members together.

P+P: Working in Washington DC is of course rife with political advances and posturing in a lot of cases, but the work of CSF and with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has been the result of true bipartisan effort. How has the subject of natural resources, hunting, and conservation been able to resonate so well on both sides of the aisle?

JC: Hunting, fishing, and the broader goals of conservation are fortunately not defined by partisan policy labels. This gives CSF the opportunity to work in somewhat of a sweet spot where we can utilize the efforts of our bipartisan caucuses to protect and advance America’s timeless outdoor traditions, not just for today’s generation, but for generations to come.

P+P: So let’s make you the leader of Congress for the day--- what characteristics of the Caucus are you taking and applying to our other committees and efforts in both houses?

JC: Maybe it’s pollyannish to think this way but the goals of conservation are not defined by partisan politics. So, to answer your question, bipartisanship is the main characteristic I would apply.

Double Decker Arts Festival Double Decker Arts Festival

PRESENTED BY:

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

MARCUS KING

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

LISSIE

THE SENSATIONAL BARNES BROTHERS

SOUTHERN AVENUE

VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ

THE MISSISSIPPIANS JAZZ ENSEMBLE

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

CHAPEL HART

THE STEWS

When Science Opens Its Doors to Bird Hunters

Giving a new meaning to the term “stuffed birds"

Photos courtesy of The

By Edgar Castillo

University of Kansas Musuem of Natural History

.300

By Kevin Martone

Where To Now: Watertown,WI

by Cameron Riser

Photo by Dave Hoefler

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BUSINESS ADVISORY BUSINESS ADVOCACY

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Sometimes you just need a voice. A voice that has been there before. A voice that has weight. A voice that has built successful businesses. And a voice that will stand up for you and fight in the interest of fair business. Our strength, and our weight, matters. And when you need it, we’ll be there for you.

photo by Daniel

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back porch

by Peder von Harten

Pretty History

Those who know me know that I am incredibly proud to be an American and feel incredibly blessed to live under the stars and stripes. There is no doubting that at all. I spend my free time and many of the pages of Porch + Prairie talking about the great things within our borders and perhaps more importantly, how they came to be. The fruited plains, harrowed into existence by farmers, or the perfectly manicured vistas scattered from sea to shining sea--- they are all things to be awed. For most Americans, we think only about this side of our story and frankly, who would blame them. In the relatively short span of almost 250 years, hard working men and women transformed this country from woodlands and prairies into the envy of the world. We’ve fought valiantly in wars abroad, we’ve defended our freedoms, we’ve made great tech advancements, built financial empires, and everything in between in search of that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It’s human nature, but we always gravitate towards the good as the human mind is innately conditioned to block out the bad. If you only see it through that lens, then yes, our history is very, very pretty.

In reality, not all of our history is pretty. If you are to trace back the origins of our country and the original settlers, you’ll surely uncover stories that are in stark contrast to the rosy history that we might be led to believe at times. It was brutal. That brutality wasn’t just limited to one period of time either. It brings about conversations and topics that maybe some hoped would stay in the past, if only because just now do they realize how wrong these ideologies were. For as amazing as our country is, it is also the same country responsible for slavery, the Trail of Tears, segregation of schools, and Sand Creek. The atrocity of it all is difficult to bear, but is made even worse when you think that in many circles, these actions were generally accepted at the time.

Our entire country’s history is checkered with stories of things that we might not be too proud of in hindsight. If we’re being honest, I’d say each one of us can find things we aren’t too proud of in our lives either, but they are part of the fabric of our lives no less. The biggest part though is trying to understand what we’ve learned by acknowledging those blemishes on our existence. It falls into that whole notion from George Santayana who famously said, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” When it comes to the ups and downs our American society has endured, learning from our history is essential to whatever the next chapter of the USA is going to say.

I want you to try think ahead 40 or 50 years. At that time, every decision we’ve made as a people during the first 20 or so years of the 2000s will be dissected, over-analyzed, and written into the history books. What will they say? Will they say that early 2000s showed a resilience of a people who came together after September 11th or show how the greed of a few collapsed our entire economy in 2008 and 2009? Will they say that we continued to break barriers and tear down unnecessary walls, or will it be focused on the current social, political, racial, and economic divide that is getting wider and wider?

Lastly, do the same exercise for yourself and do it honestly. What will your story be? What is the legacy of you that is passed from generation to generation? What would you change? So now that you’ve got your answers, what are you going to do about it?