Symbolism

The first presidential debate of the election season will be hosted next Friday at Ole Miss. Dr. Mullins, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor (and who I believe has been some sort of university liaison for the event), told us in the Teacher Corps about the possibility of the University’s hosting a debate at least a couple of years ago. The planning has been enormous, and they’re expecting something like 3,000 journalists. I hear the place is already filling with reporters, and getting more attention than it’s gotten in a very long time.

I’m sure the symbolism of Obama’s participation will not be missed: the debate will be only a few days shy of the 46th anniversary of James Meredith’s becoming the first black student to enroll at the school, and the accompanying riots that cost two lives (including that of an international journalist) and caused dozens of injuries. Bob Dylan wrote a song about it, and the bullet holes are still in the main administrative building.

Following the attention to symbolism, I remembered a small project conceived while still in Mississippi: mississippeponymy.

There are only two entries, and I’m not sure now that there will ever be more. But if you have suggestions (they need not be in Mississippi), do submit them.