Several months ago I wrote a personal essay exploring the experience of being “southernified”— my own term (unless it exists somewhere I haven’t heard!) and how the many distinct parts of Southern culture — it’s slowness, kindness and greenery— carried me through a dark period of pandemic grief as a musician and artist feeling lost without a purpose.
Today, I am a ball of emotions sharing with you all, that it is published in the world! You can read it here on Chapter16.org, a literary publication for all things Tennessee writers and readers—in part founded by the beloved writer, Margaret Renkl.
Now mind you, a mini essay on the essay—I know the South is not a perfect place. We’ve all seen this with the viral coverage of the problematic Tennessee state legislature in recent weeks. But as an outsider, not born here yet living here, I’ve gained a nuanced understanding to its political complexity (and a newfound hatred of gerrymandering) that has made me, well, fall in love with it. There is an unshakable, underdog attitude here, that as an artist, I feed on. I hope in spotlighting my joys of the South, it can only make it more lovingly understood, known and celebrated.
congrats!!
It was interesting to read about your move and how your life in the Southern States is going. About the stereotypes and the kind of people who live there. The slow pace of life suits me, maybe I should visit these places...
A very nice photo of a tree branch.