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Amidst white fluted pillars of plantation homes, mountainous magnolia trees with sweet scents to transcend and the sheer beauty of this port city lies it's real history with these things being the glorious parts. What isn't glorious is that the Natchez bluffs overlooked the slave ships as well as steamers. Liberty Square, an unfortunate naming of the square where thousands of West African slaves were bought, sold and tortured is 'not discussed' as one woman told me at a local restaurant this day. This city remains obviously sharply segregated minus the 'colored' and 'white' signs of days gone by like so many cities visited in the Old South.
Thankfully I met Nathan, a park ranger, at the Melrose Plantation (pictured above) which is a National Park. Through frank discussion I learned for myself the realities facing this and many other towns in Mississippi. There was a heaviness and sadness that we shared as we sat on the porch, in the shade with Wood Carver Bees flying about as we discussed issues we had concerns about. I spoke of the continued segregation I've witnessed in Greenwood, Clarksdale and throughout the Delta. Maybe Nathan summed it up best when he said "woll Kat, theese hera is Mizza-zippi".
This plantation is an example of the immense wealth accumulated during the centuries of slavery. It is the only plantation home, of which there are many in Natchez, that has retained 'slave quarters' with a concise history of slavery. This home is massive at 16,000 square feet as compared to the 300 square feet of the slave quarters. I learned that in the area at the time there were 32,000 white people in the area and 147,000 slaves.
It is pretty spectacular to begin to understand from first hand experiences what blues really means to me. Yes, the birth of North American Blues is from the time of slavery, from Africa...the work songs, 'field hollers' and prison songs. And, yes, blues spirituals were also born from a deep wish to be free...truly free!
Over the past century it seems to me that the strength of blues music lies in its ability to adapt..to be flexible, to change and to allow change. My impression is that blues captures the energy of being human...facing challenges in life, holding out for better and never giving up. This is why I am a blues musician because I can completely relate to difficulties in life and unceasing optimism for a brighter day.
Who knows what will be next for this art form. It continues to evolve and has already given us all forms of popular music today...gospel, jazz, country, rock 'n roll, pop, zydeco, Cajun, rhythm & blues, rap and hip hop. I don't believe there is a limit. It is not disappearing, it is getting stronger as it ages. Africa, the Delta, a trip around the world and back to Africa! How many art forms can lay claim to that? I feel so blessed to have this passion and this creative 'calling' in my life.
Alrighty then...deep thoughts by Kat Danser. Fair amount of intensity today until I came upon my true mantra ..."Don't DODGE Jesus". Ha Ha Ha Ha!!! Now that's a 'Passion for the Christ' eh?
Soapbox Kat
