I Explored All Black Towns In Rural MISSISSIPPI - This Is What I Saw

[@justicecoleman4463]

Mound Bayou is my dad and his whole side of the family’s hometown. He is very proud of where he’s from. And It was great to see someone else talk about it in such a respectful manner. Thank you.

[@RW38762]

Who's your dad?

[@nikicadinirenic6806]

​@@RW38762Mr. Coleman.?

[@becomingone3401]

Be careful with your assessment of this video. Gentrification always starts in our poor neighborhoods with little resources. And the outcome is never in our favor.

[@muhammadnawaz5039]

His father ​@@RW38762

[@ericah6546]

​@@becomingone3401How does the video glorify gentrification? I don't see that. I've traveled the country myself and seen almost all gentrification in larger cities.

[@coreylatham7678]

This is my hometown. Thanks for posting. Parents still live there today.

[@Solutions3000]

Which one?

[@bonniehall578]

How many siblings did you have? Did any stay in your hometown?

[@coreylatham7678]

@@Solutions3000 Mound Bayou is where I’m from

[@coreylatham7678]

@@bonniehall578 7 siblings total. No one stayed. In order to make a living you kind of need to leave. Now in the day you could live there and be successful. Mound Bayou was the place to be.

[@Solutions3000]

Thank you. ​@@coreylatham7678

[@hollyann127]

The streets are very clean/no garbage…folks may not have a lot but respect their surroundings…🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻

[@Reese8531]

The whole south is like that it seems!! Folks in Mississippi still catch a lot of they food!!

[@Gary-nf5cw]

There isn't no street,, they are called Roads,,smart people have left Mississippi,, I don't blame them I have too...

[@YahuahElohim]

That’s right

[@YahuahElohim]

@@Reese8531catch?

[@Reese8531]

@@YahuahElohim yes catch!! My cousin Girlfriend family is down there and they catch Racoons,deer,fish and Rabbits also!!

[@jamiedruby9573]

I am impressed about how everybody mows their lawn, and they take pride in the land around them. I wish it was that way everywhere.

[@drainmanl]

Anyone with a vehicle and a video camera can drive out to a town they have never been before and start filming and narrating. However, you have perfected this and turned it into art. Excellent narration, video style, and especially historical background. You are like a tour guide at an historic site , but you've never visited before.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@mikehoncho9344]

​@@JoeandNicsRoadTripi agree with that comment. Small suggestion: When you see an old gas pump, filming the last price on it might give us an idea of when the business closed. Great video

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@mikehoncho9344 That’s actually a good idea. I’ll start doing that!

[@BigMous77]

I agree with the compliment on adding the historical background and statistics of the town(s). However, as a viewer, I’d have liked to have seen you stop and speak with the people who you saw outside in the neighborhood. It is their home after all. Without opportunity any town will fail. A vulnerability that will forever exist. Like all else, only valuable if something within it is sought after.

[@younglegp]

@@BigMous77I too expected him to stop and see if the locals were interested in sharing their experiences living there.

[@adriancrossley211]

Thanks for touring my home town I was born there in 1955 the town has been through a lot of changes since I was there. Mound Bayou has a lot of history 22:35

[@tweeze2700]

Do they have apartments there? 😂

[@tonitwitty9529]

​@@tweeze2700What's funny?

[@johnryder557]

Thanks! I appreciate your research and dry sense of humor and congratulations to you and your wife and thanks for not cursing 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@nikkiervinmusic]

Some of my family lives there. My siblings and I spent a lot of summers back in the 80s running those country ass streets! Lol.. Wow, so many memories. We referred to ‘downtown’ as ‘uptown.’ I remember going to that post office to get my aunt’s mail. My aunt lives on one of the streets near the city hall. Hey auntie! You drove past her house, by the way. ☺️

[@elmoworld850]

Lol, Thank you for sharing your story!

[@jimchari3697]

These small towns are well kept compared to some of the rural communities you have shown us. Poverty doesn't necessarily mean you can't keep your house maintained.

[@AmieWard-p7m]

I am a believer in keeping what I have very well kept,. That's right just because you don't have much you can still keep what you have very well maintained,so that's appreciating what you do have. Most people don't have a lot they make it look like they do,by keeping things nice and neat and clean, you can make something out of nothing..😊

[@bayyinahzhaxx7620]

Actually, maintaining a home is quite expensive. Roofing is no joke. Mississippi experiences extreme weather. For someone just making it, a repair could easily set them back, and most Americans are barely making it and using credit if they have it. These wars need to stop, and we refocus on our own so we're not driving up inflation and raising our debt ceiling (more taxes). Our Senator's are the enemy.

[@jimchari3697]

@bayyinahzhaxx7620 I agree with you about the expense. I am more refering to cleaning, not leaving your yard to look like a junk yard. Maybe painting and doing some physical labor . If you don't take care of the place you're living in, what is your alternative?

[@bayyinahzhaxx7620]

@jimchari3697 It's the bones of the house that will determine the value. This is primarily what I'm seeing in extremely poor neighborhoods. Cleaning a home doesn't break the bank, but maintaining structure does. Even curb appeal can be costly to the point where some just do the minimum. I'd love to see more community gardens in poorer neighborhoods with not only foods but even flowers and shrubbery for those who can't afford it.

[@misterssippi601]

​@@bayyinahzhaxx7620I don't think this person is referring to raising the value of the home. I think he or she is only talking about keeping your property looking like you care about it. You're right that allot of people can't necessarily afford the repairs but it doesn't cost anything to keep your yard clean. We see allot of yards in Mississippi that are littered with trash and junk cars that haven't worked in twenty years.

[@TheCaitypooh]

Mound Bayou, My husband hometown....he has taken me and the kids there many, many times.

[@darylwizzard5832]

I don't see no people anywhere

[@sandrabenenhaley5851]

I see the church of Christ sign

[@radedfaded3700]

​@@darylwizzard5832 that's cus people are at work, or at home minding their business.

[@lindabeale4216]

When u don't have a lot u take better care of it .

[@Solutions3000]

​@@lindabeale4216 Not necessarily.

[@marcomcdowell8861]

Poor is relative to the locale and perspective. I grew up thinking I was poor. I wasn't. I just didn't have what the kid down the street did. I realized this as I got older and traveled the world. My family just didn't waste money on nonsense. I had Nintendo, toys, Segas, bikes, clothes, my own room and was never hungry. Chores and house upkeep were mandatory. We definitely weren't wealthy. Just a middle class family living life.Seems like a lot of these folks live the same way.

[@misssonja1]

You said a mouthful. We did not waste anything either. Lights never was off. Water was never shut off. I never went hungry, never.

[@graceliamoore883]

You’re correct! You said the same thing my daughter mentioned saying she didn’t know we were poor until she was grown and looked at the statistics. 😮

[@valeriereaves4096]

Media keeps trying to tell people what they need, and if you don't have it you don't measure up. That's why kids want four hundred dollar sneakers. Advertising is telling people what they should have. But thanks for your insightful,real life comment

[@msxtraspecial8542]

45K for a house is extremely low for the poorest state in the country?????????????

[@YahuahElohim]

@@misssonja1👍🏾

[@gertrudeogwok2232]

As an African who lives in the village, i see plenty of land for cultivation and firewood for cooking. 😊😊😊

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

Trust me, if the people in town start farming and developing the place, there will be someone telling them right way that ya'll need a permit for that. And even when you do all the papers right, you still can't do anything. Places like this are being held back, purposely because of same old old reasons. It's the ol' same ol'.

[@yougoof]

What firewood? Over here your neighbours have control too. As well as the government and government officials.

[@gregh4284]

You want them to cut down the trees? How is that working out for your farm regions in africa?

[@chriskewe4238]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@tate1999h]

I guess you never heard of electricity

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

Mound Bayou is a nice looking town. Well kept. Higher poverty rates don't need to mean decrepit conditions. Good job!

[@Alex-eo9of]

This looks nice to you?

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

@@Alex-eo9of the solid majority of the town does look nice. Low population towns usually have many more decrepit and abandoned buildings.

[@Alex-eo9of]

It looks pretty dirty and in disrepair to me. Not in comparison to abandoned towns, just in general. There aren't any towns that look anything like this where I live in Eastern Massachusetts@@kathyscoppettuolo7168

[@MartineReed]

Looks like AI chose a thumbnail of a decrepit house to “illustrate” what it thinks a poor, black town in rural Mississippi looks like. This is why I hate AI.

[@Alex-eo9of]

TF are you talking about? There is no AI involved in this video at all. The thumbnail is taken from a house in this video @19:20 @@MartineReed

[@boomboombaby9140]

I remembered going to this town when I was a kid visiting from Los Angeles on summer break had lots of fun because my family had atv , go cart , 3 wheelers and 4 wheelers

[@timgoodsell4053]

Thank you very much for such a respectful treatment of the Mississippi Delta, a very enchanting but vulnerable place. I got to know the Delta in 2006 when I and my buddy kayaked the Mississippi River from the headwaters in Minnesota to Morgan City, Louisiana. The people we met throughout the South were absolutely wonderful, particularly in Mississippi and the Delta. I was so impressed that I, a lifelong man of the North (Chicago) sold everything and moved to Southeast Louisiana 12 years ago when I retired. I love the Deep South and have never regretted the move for one minute.

[@TUPELO_HUNNY]

I grew up in Mississippi and the best decision I ever made was leaving. Racism is embedded deeply into the culture. There's nothing to romanticize about Mississippi. It's still just as oppressive as the heat and humidity in August.

[@TUPELO_HUNNY]

I grew up in Mississippi and the best decision I ever made was leaving. Racism is embedded deeply into the culture. There's nothing to romanticize about Mississippi. It's still just as oppressive as the heat and humidity in August.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I love the Delta and Mississippi. I didn't at first - but as I spent time there that changed and now it's one of my favorite places in the country.

[@beverlybalius9303]

@@TUPELO_HUNNYThere will always be racists but it is not embedded in your civil rights as an American ,,,, there will always be some ignorant people. Just leave them kind alone.

[@jaijai5250]

@@TUPELO_HUNNYracism is structural and systemic worldwide. It’s ingrained into every societal structure, even in predominantly so called black countries.

[@rasberryfields2132]

In the 80's, I worked for Army ROTC at Mississippi State University. The cadre consisted of men from West Point, NY to Hawaii. They all loved living/working there & declared that Mississippi was the best kept secret. Some of the officers even retired in Mississippi; one young officer married a Mississippi girl he met there! Most people are friendly and accepting of everyone.🇺🇸🌳🌻 Added: you are in the delta...Mississippi also has rolling hills in the Northeast & beaches in the Southern tip. It is sad that many mom & pop businesses had to close down when the big discount stores opened.😢

[@junkaccount2535]

100%, the truest thing you said is that he is in the Delta. The delta is the worst and most poor part of MS, the rest is fine.

[@cnilecnile6748]

@@junkaccount2535 NO, that's Jackson, the capital, which has turned into Compton. The rest of it is really nice.

[@RH3655-l9b]

South Mississippi has it going on, especially the Gulf Coast area.

[@alldef741]

Very Nicely done. I'm a born & raised current citizen of Mound Bayou, MS.. Our town is nicknamed *Jewel of the Delta* and the least i can say is that we have always shared a high level of pride and respect for our culture & historical relevance.. We celebrate & host our *Annual SeptemberFest* the first week of september for maybe the last 20yrs.. always a fun event & season to visit the town. *Anyone have any questions please feel free to Ask away*

[@Reese8531]

More black folks need to learn f about the place especially the rich black folks

[@YeaThats_Bri]

Thank you for this, I would love to visit.. I live in Acadiana Louisiana.. it looks so peaceful there 🫠

[@alldef741]

@@YeaThats_Bri fasho pull up to the Fest mane like erbody else and have a Time 🤩 but Cleveland MS is right next door abt 8miles and they have the Grammy Awards Museum there and Delta State Univ.

[@gabriellew.4847]

All of the comments are warm and positive...we not organize and have reunions to bring an industry to your hone town and create a land development committee, create resorts, camps, farming workshops, connect with HBCU faculty etc.???

[@Solutions3000]

Are you employed there or by a neighboring town?

[@joyfullone3968]

The town looks very tidy, no litter and like you said the homes look nice mostly.

[@AA-oi9nu]

Why wouldn’t it be “tidy”

[@Angie-cm4si]

You can tell that a lot of thought went into this video .....The old photos were nice to see...I always learn something from these towns....travel safely Joe and Nicole 💜💜❤

[@CalmannEN]

Yep,I love it. i've seen similar Content style on itsKaytie_ channel... I love this kind of content. I'm a big fan❤

[@handsomeX]

Took the words right outta my mouth 💯🎯

[@LivingLif321]

Big facts bro she nice too ​@@handsomeX

[@PeyThaBoss]

😂 horrible video

[@tonitwitty9529]

Very nice video. Thank u so much!

[@MelodyCarter1]

You guys were just in my town of Clarksdale! The hubby and me moved here in July of last year from Georgia :) Despite the blight and abandoned houses and the once-in-a-while gunshots at night, I've found the people here very warm and friendly, friendlier actually than the Georgia town we left behind. First place I've ever lived where a random stranger will ask you how you're doing or offer you a puppy or a free hot plate of bbq. The Ground Zero's awesome! I finally got to go there in November for my birthday! Thanks for featuring Mississippi again, now that its my new adopted state I like to hear about it...safe travels to your next stop!

[@Kite-te9km]

I would like to visit the first two towns in this video too but unfortunately I'm very far away. First time I am attracted by a town out of my continent really.😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We love Clarksdale and visit it once a year. By the way, we have done a video of just Clarksdale - it's on the channel!

[@MelodyCarter1]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I'll check it out! I've noticed you're more respectful towards Clarksdale and just Mississippi in general than other KZbinrs are. MS often gets the "bum's rush" across the internet.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@MelodyCarter1 We really love Mississippi. We didn’t at first - but as we dived into the culture and got to know the people we fell in love with the state.

[@MelodyCarter1]

@@Kite-te9km I was just passing by the Mound Bayou town that's mentioned here, had to go through there to pick up my car from a repair shop but I didn't go deeply into the town though. Also passed by "Alligator" but didn't get to nose around. The name alone makes me curious.

[@MelloKingMal05]

I grew up there in Mound Bayou. I always love visiting my family there.

[@aaronTNGDS9]

Love this video and your thoughtful commentary. I'm originally from Jackson, Miss. and have lived most of my life in New England. I would love to drive through these areas to feel the ambience and vibes of so many resilient and decent Black folks.

[@christinecopson5502]

We love watching your videos here in the UK. My mom's 97 and loves that she can see the US through your eyes .Enjoys her Saturday night travels❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@bthomson]

Lord. You should definately pat yourself on the back for allowing older folks to " travel!" Many of us would never be able to see what you so perfectly show us in your travels!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@bthomson Thank you. 😀

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@kijihigh6826]

My grandfather's property was right up the street from the post office. One of his sons, my uncle worked in the pharmacy for years then moved away to Jackson Miss to work at the university. My father moved to New York but always visited to help the family financially. One of my cousins met the train to pick up the mail when it arrived and carried it to the post office. My grandmother died at an early age from botulism. She was a gardner, excellent cook and housewife. My grandfather made all kinds of clocks. Every family member eventually moved away except my grandfather who died in Mound Bayou. Great stories coming from there.

[@958298bordeaux]

Thank you for being interested in this history to share with us.

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@SayYoJ]

A beautiful state with a heartbreaking past

[@henryjohnson7822]

Great video my wife is from Shaw Mississippi a little further south on 61. The politics of Mississippi have not changed since the end of slavery, the Mississippi government invest very little into these black communities.

[@zeroturn7091]

I’m from Jackson, and I would rather live in this town. The only thing is if all of our people moved there the MS Leg would treat it like Jackson if not worse.

[@henryjohnson7822]

@@zeroturn7091 Have they fixed the water problem. That's one example of how the Mississippi government treats its black residents

[@Redbaron_sites]

😊

[@kikidla11]

​@@henryjohnson7822Are you also from Mississippi? all the cities with a black majority are strongly Democratic, I'm a white latina of brazilian origin and I wonder what the percentage of minority votes will be this year for Joe and for Donald Trump.

[@doreenb3753]

these towns could be revitalized, we take control of our own governing and turn it into a "black wallstreet". if only we had conscious leaders. all the structures are already there.

[@ruqayyahcurtis7504]

These small towns are beautiful. I relocated from a large city of 10 million back to my small town in the southeast. There is very low crime, housing is moderately priced, it's a beach town and really comes alive from May thru September. Mount Bayou looks a lot like my town without the Beaches! The jazz club sounds fabulous ❤❤❤❤. Keep up the good work.

[@cynthiagarrett6060]

I LOVE stories of Black History and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my People, especially our Ancestors.

[@taviawms4836]

My grandparents lived in Mound Bayou not too far from the post office.Anna and Abner Nibbs Sr.They passed away in1987 in Indianapolis Indiana.

[@cea5er]

Watching this video while in bed on Sunday while its raining outside, i can't express how much I love these videos and their simplicity. Keep it up man best wishes to you and your family from the other side of the planet 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@lindabeale4216]

Same thing I b doin while watching these , chilin .

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@mariarobertson9772]

If you live or have lived in this town and any other towns like this, hold on to your property. If you got family here help them to keep their property and keep it in the family. Where some people see blight and poverty, others see opportunity for prosperity.

[@NewChildTV]

Fax 📠

[@Scattaman-Priest]

Yes all these vacant properties would be good for investment building technology centers with cheap labor. For $300k you could build a nice home on a large piece of land and work remotely.

[@cnilecnile6748]

They are going to turn it all into LA, if we let them. JUST SAY NO!

[@karencamp741]

I'm from Mississippi and moved to Hawaii. As I watch this video my husband and I are thinking of buying a home in Mound Buyou😊 Ms

[@76kamikazi]

I’ve seen it down here in Miami Florida every black town like this the young people’s dint step up and it’s all gone now to the Hispanics.

[@mkr4922]

Great job . Keep doing what you’re doing. We appreciate the history and your hard work. I would never have known about these towns without you two.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Will absolutely do that. :)

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@beabeajordan2545]

For such a poor area,the streets are very clean.

[@kingjudah19]

Poor doesn't mean dirty!

[@judithgrace9850]

Do not be nasty.

[@donniepeters4569]

You need to cleanse your mind. Just because people are poor DOES NOT mean they don't care. Maybe you should rethink your moral outlook.

[@mikehoncho9344]

I was surprised with that myself

[@Solutions3000]

Why were you surprised?​@@mikehoncho9344

[@dirkwyse1609]

You are an excellent reporter and traveller. Much appreciate your work and your character.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@sharondavis3535]

8:13 My heavenly mother would speak fondly about going to Mound Bayou and Lula with her family and parents. Never realized the historical legacy of Jefferson Davis, etc.😢. Crime is lower...more family values and orientation?tm Thank you for this valued and overlooked history.❤

[@cassieo4337]

Greetings from Canada. The research that goes into making these very informative tours of small town America is very much appreciated.

[@TheAmericanX]

Hi there

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@TheAmericanX]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip no problem like ur video

[@sharonc7031]

What does the narrator mean by the median age (5:39), "...That's about the same as it is in the U.S."? Mississippi is still in the U.S. last time I checked.

[@pivotshot6121]

Thank you for the tour of Mound Bayou. My mother was born in Leland, Mississippi but my mother’s two brothers and five sisters were all born in Mound Bayou. My mother’s parents were both born in Mound Bayou also. My grandmother’s grandmother was a slave in Mississippi and when slavery ended she settled in Mound Bayou. Now I grew up in Chicago. LoL! I hope to visit Mound Bayou someday. Hopefully sooner than later.

[@glennoconnor2980]

I was following the video here and opened up a Google map. Something was seriously overlooked in Coahoma!! An HBCC college! Return trip Joe!!

[@BIGTASTEMUZIC]

thank you for the tour of my home land it brings back good memories

[@nyyt854tufc]

Nice and quiet and peaceful just what I need 😊

[@seviregis7441]

That was fascinating. Enjoyed the blues club at the end. Stay safe in your travels.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@Reese8531]

Yeah that was I nice touch to end the video

[@tonytc6285]

Nice to see the town a lot of my family from my dad side lives there. May be small but I'm proud of it's history and just maybe one day these towns will prosper.

[@benmulenga2648]

Love the stats that go with your videos...and excellent narration Joe. Riding along with you always 👍 Ben from Zambia 🇿🇲 Central Africa

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@Fernando-qs7bl]

Somethings wrong

[@justmyopinion9883]

Thank you for sharing this video of Mississippi towns. My Mom’s family was from Aberdeen, Mississippi. I think it’s in the northern part of the state near the Alabama border.

[@YvetteJefferson-j8y]

I just absolutely love the south! The birds in the background chirping… just lovely! This is simple life… simplicity the real American Dream. Thank you for sharing!

[@kevinspilker6622]

In college, I elected to do a spring break program to travel to the delta to work on homes in Clarksdale and Jonestown. This was in 2006. For reference, I've lived in the PNW my whole life and went to school here. The Delta blew my mind. So much tragic, horrific, yet beautiful history, and nearly everyone we met was just incredible to us. Our last day there, the local church ladies cooked us a potluck and, to this day, I haven't had a meal I enjoyed as much. It was my first introduction to crawfish and hush puppies, and they've never been as good as they were in that church basement. The Friday night before we left, we went to watch a blues concert at the Clarksdale Crossroads. The bass player, no more than 14 years old, was among the most incredible I've ever seen, and I've sat in the front row to see Les Claypool before. But at the same time, the poverty is desperate and overwhelming, and some of their social customs (as of 2006) were still stuck in the 50's. For example, we went to the local WalMart the second or third day there to get some groceries. I got my stuff, hopped in line (there were 2 checker lines open), and noticed everyone in the other checkout line was staring at me. I figured it was just because it must have been obvious I was a fish out of water, but then I noticed they were all white. The checker was white. I looked up my line. All black. The checker was black. It seemed such a strange and out of place relic of a different time to have such a rigid, yet informal division. The thing that struck me hardest when driving around and looking at the communities was that the "good parts" and "bad parts" of town were literally divided by train tracks. I'd never considered that the phrase "wrong side of the tracks" was a literal dictum in some places. As a sidennote, Nic and Joe, if you ever get a chance to make it to the Mobile River Basin, take it! It is pure Southern Gothic. Dark, brooding, overwhelming, and gorgeous. But bring bug spray!

[@davidwillard8146]

Loved your story. ❤

[@kevinspilker6622]

@@davidwillard8146 thanks David! It was definitely a learning experience, and very humbling. I’m in awe of people who can persevere and overcome some of the utter desperation we have in our country. Seeing some of that poverty, and learning that painful history, made me feel like in a lot of ways I have had life on easy mode.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great comment, and you nailed it perfectly, We visit Clarksdale once a year, and there have been places where we went to without thinking about it and get weird looks because we obviously don't belong there. But most of the town is very friendly, including the Blues Alley.

[@davidsimms4508]

Here in ATLANTA the symbolic tracks is where a street changes its name BOULEVARD was Black side MONROE DRIVE was white side ponce de leon was the dividing street ' tracks" people wonder why the same stretch of street change names segregation

[@tashabr801]

In every town the railroad separate blacks and white.

[@joebehrdenver]

The "green bus" is a 70s GMC motor home, quite the fancy ride in its day.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I want one!

[@jimchari3697]

Joe. That "bus" that you mentioned is I believe a late 70s GM motor home. In good shape, they are still a very wanted item and can bring good money.

[@BIGMANZO]

It was in Stripes the movie lol

[@handsomeX]

​@BAMA2209HEISMAN Haha yup!

[@somedutchguy9184]

yep, EM-50 and was in Stripes

[@anntroxel1797]

Enchanting! I'd live there in a heartbeat.

[@RupanagudiRaviShankar]

From India: Feel as though i am myself driving through those little small quiet towns. get a nice feeling seeing them all. regards

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, that's what I'm going for!!

[@gericlark8737]

I was born in Jonestown MS. I am glad to see this video. The town is a lot better than the last time I saw it in 2001.

[@tobydavis5673]

I really appreciate your videos, especially ones like this in the rural areas. I usually pull up Google Maps to see exactly where you are. The information you give as far as demographics is always interesting. Keep on keeping on, and I and my better half will continue to watch.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, I love that!

[@bdgies2721]

These towns maybe have economic challenges but the residents, for the most part, exhibit pride of place. Very few trashy yards, even abandoned sites are generally tidy. You commented that you expected to see more abandoned homes. I suspect that most derelict buildings have been torn down and the sites cleaned. That way the community is safer and well as a nicer place in which to live. So much nicer than many of the struggling rural communities you’ve explored in the past year.

[@AA-oi9nu]

Why would there be “trashy yards”?

[@racingbeats1493]

​@@AA-oi9nudo you have no life experiences? The vast majority of very poor areas are covered in trash. There's so many positive comments on this video because this kind of thing is rare. I mean watch the rest of this guy's videos.

[@patm5594]

It is sad how so many small towns are dying out. That Blues club was awesome !!

[@blast4me754]

The generations before the Baby Boomers were more into the small town style of living but somewhere starting with the boomer generation and younger people now prefer the big city style of living. People are now preferring Houston, Atlanta, Dallas or some areas close to the major cities. Memphis and Jackson are not really major cities.

[@smallfeet4581]

​@@companyconfidential6624 small town to live in and not far from a city , not too small tho , cities are ok for big store shopping and visiting now and then but I wouldn't want to live in one , these towns look like people have some land to grow some of their own food , I'd do that before I'd buy , community fruit and veg patch or on their own

[@dolittle6781]

What an amazing video. Thanks for showing us these places. There’s a lot of American history drifting into oblivion in that state. Appreciated the way you included a taste of southern music and cuisine in your travels through these interesting but out-of-the way places where most of your viewers would never have a need to visit. You always give us just the right amount and type of information. Loved those old gas stations, grocery stores, empty old factories, ramshackle homes, and also some very nice ones, too. Also just enjoyed looking at all that land just sitting there, natural, and in various states of neglect. There’s so much silent history in those towns. Wish someone would go there and interview every person that would be willing to tell his or her story. What fascinating stories they’d be, I’m sure. Funny how it feels we are right there in your car with you.

[@CocoTeeTV]

The blues at the end was a nice touch! I’ll be sure to visit if I’m passing through the area.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's well worth a visit. :)

[@katarinaliljedahl9926]

I'm enjoying your videos from Stockholm, Sweden. The way you put them together is wonderful; numbers and facts, the narrating (love the accent!), the reflections and all the eating. Thank's for all the work. And stay safe, both of you.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you very much!

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Another fantastic video! Love the detailed history of these towns! Jonestown is an interesting town statistically speaking. I love the name Lula for a town! Loved seeing Clarksdale! Nice music! Thank you! Looking forward to your next video!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you as usual, Alexandra!!

[@sammie1919]

Watching all the way from Uganda. Love these videos

[@shariberry3123]

That most iconic song, written originally there and meant to be a protest song ( I had no clue ).....THAT STORY would make for an excellent documentary or independent, special interest type of film.

[@maryallen9657]

Born in Meridian; grew up in Enterprise. Such beautiful memories as a child picking berries along the fence,going into town to buy a soda, walking the dirt roads

[@YvetteJefferson-j8y]

Beautiful! Fond memories!

[@Victory1981]

Blues is good music. My uncle is a big fan of blues. Elvis was from Tupelo, Mississippi originally, too. I visited Tupelo and went to his childhood home. He was influenced by black music. Fried green tomatoes is a southern staple.

[@AA-oi9nu]

Elvis stole

[@path1400]

I thought the black people of Mound Bayou and all but one of the towns were clean and well kepted. With extra low crime rates. They were poor but pround. Thank you for show them to us.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Absolutely. I thought they were all lovely towns.

[@davidkublin4446]

Joe And Nic,I just want to comment how much I love your channel,exploring real America. You have the best channel on KZbin. Extremely educational and exciting to watch. Thank you so much for posting real America!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you, David!!

[@af-np4pg]

I think you have taken travelling to a new level. And look forward to seeing Nicole who always shows up before chow time!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@marymcgehee4433]

I finally got to visit Mound Bayou a couple of years ago. So glad I did. It was great being in a town created by and for Blacks.

[@AnnoyedKelpie-kd2cd]

God's beautiful land with the challenges with MAN! Great video! Bless all the people in Mississippi!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Joe and Nic from Sydney Australia. I appreciate the look around the small towns. It's what I used to do a lot as a kid, looking out the rear side window of dad's station wagons. 🌏🇦🇺

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I like that, and did the same thing myself!

[@artmchugh5644]

Thanks for the video cruise!!! Well done and very interesting 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MichaelSeanHarrell]

Informative,Educational,and Entertaining !

[@shereewhite4828]

I currently live in Biloxi, MS. I lived in Jonestown 28yrs. (1986-2014) My mom and grandparents were from Jonestown. 🙏🏽Rest in Paradise to them. I purchased my first home in Jonestown in 2003, sold it in 2022. It was my grandparents' home. My grandfather built it himself in 1932. He renovated it several times. My mom & grandparents said that when they were young, the town was nicer and cleaner. I went to high school/college, and worked in Clarksdale! I will always have love for Jonestown and Clarksdale.❤❤

[@oscarmason3252]

So will I

[@tammyodell347]

I wish everybody could see this thank you

[@Hero4Hire4]

Thank you! I live in Mississippi (5th generation). My maternal grandmother was from Mound Bayou. I’m in my 60s now and remember those areas from better times. I haven’t been through there since the 70s. It’s sad to see the decline, not that it was ever great. I still have a cousin that lives in Tula (near Moon Lake). I even used to attend church services sometimes in Clarksdale. You brought back a lot of memories. 🫡👍🏽

[@ljkerr3]

The building in Lula you suggested was a grocery store was O'Briant's parts store and was a gathering place for local farmers. I played many a game of pinball there! The Baptist Church was where we worshiped. Out from Jonestown was the home of James Lusk Alcorn, Mississippi governor during reconstruction. A friend and I visited this home right before it was demolished and it was something else. Also, you were just a couple of miles from Rich, MS, birthplace and former home of Thomas Harris, creator of Hannibal Lector! My mom used to ride the bus with him!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting!

[@Reese8531]

That’s cool!!

[@nosellout9555]

I'm a descendant of the co founder Benjamin t. Green. He's my great great grandfather. He was Isaiah Montgomery's cousin.

[@jjones7396]

I was wondering does Isaiah Montgomery and Benjamin T. Green’s descendants still live in Mound Bayou.

[@MsDurant12]

Amazing. Great family. Please write a book about your family

[@Arkansas223]

We need to build this town up this is FBA/ADOS legacy and greatness

[@Arkansas223]

You have to carry on his legacy

[@andrewjmcgee]

excellent! enjoyed your thoughtful graceful view of America we don't see often enough.

[@st.paulapostolicchurchofgod]

I lived therea while. My play father, late Bishop Longino Davis lived there. Pastored Apostolic Faith Church in Cleveland, MS.

[@cliffimages1785]

Excellent video, and history!!!!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Many thanks!

[@danehlers9989]

Hey there... 👋 Thanks for uploading your adventure here. Coincidentally, you filmed on my birthday. I appreciate the tour because In my heart and mind I'm a traveler too but unfortunately I can't get around much these days so a window into your world or windshield lol, means a lot, especially with your fact-finding commentary to boot. Great job. 👍 ❤

[@joyhunt477]

Happy Birthday 🎁 🎉🎂 And many more 🤓💜

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Happy birthday!

[@shegoddess46]

I was born in Mound Bayou😢... I would love to visit one day.

[@fish1999onBass]

*Brutal history thanks for sharing, shared* 34:00 35:20 great mural and thank you to Morgan Freeman for making the Ground Zero Blues Club*

[@truecrimelover61]

💜🧡💚 all your videos because i could never go to the places you cover, so nice to view this way. Hi Debbie

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Debbie!!

[@ValyTraveler]

The sad thing is - once industry dries up - so do the residence. When the hospitals, schools, banks, and grocery stores leave it gets really hard to thrive is that environment. I currently live in Macon, and we're still pretty lucky to have all the necessities to live not thrive. Even if immigrants were sent to towns like these to repopulate - it still wouldn't thrive without some kind of government help to get them on their feet...

[@fjb4932]

Don't sell your soul to the Devil. Do it yourself, make do, do without, repurpose, share. The Gov't Is NOT your friend. There ain't no free lunch . . . ☆

[@igavehimadollar3354]

I was out in the man cave playing around with my Guitars and drinking beer here in oz when I saw you put another video out guys cheers !

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You gotta a man cave! I'm jealous! Looking forward to building my next one. :)

[@highpriestess222]

This made me feel good to see. It’s a stereotype shattering masterpiece. I’m glad that people get to see an all black town with a high poverty rate that is clean and quiet with a low crime rate. Thank you so much for doing this video. 💖

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Absolutely.

[@sadiewagstaff890]

Yes it is. A lot of people are watching this... mouth wide open. Next let's go to the hollows.

[@angelmartin7310]

People are surprised because it's rare.

[@CANDCESS2]

What do you mean by that comment?

[@angelmartin7310]

@@CANDCESS2 Me? The only thing that separates the hollows from the hood is the omicide rate, but that is a huge thing. Seeing a peacefulblack village is rare, it's rare to find one with a omicide rate equal to or below the natl average.

[@beckystone7994]

I really enjoyed seeing the Black towns snd I’m so glad the son went on yo build his dads dream even though he didn’t get yo see it while here I know he guided his son from above ! Thanks for taking us along for the music snd the great southern food and I love everything you both ordered to eat I’m glad y’all enjoyed it all ! God bless and Thsnk you for doing all the great road trips !! 🙋🏻🙏🙏🙏🌈🌈🌈

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Becky!

[@Reese8531]

One thing about a lot of black towns , you’ll see a occasional abandoned house, but every church you see will be in immaculate shape!!

[@poowg2657]

A great unvarnished and unbiased tour. That's a GMC motor home. If you've ever seen the movie Stripes starring Bill Murray one of those was used as the "Urban Assault Vehicle". Appreciate it much, thanks Joe and Nic!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. I want one of those motor homes!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Regarding Clarksdale and the Ground Zero Club.....British comedian/actor Stephen Fry made a docuseries some years ago called Stephen Fry in America. Check it out. It's a fantastic series and very interesting to see the US from the viewpoint of a Brit. He does point out some oddities and things that struck him as weird, but he never went out of his way to denigrate the US. In fact, he appeared to truly enjoy his travels. Well...he visited this club and of course, they set it up that he would meet and talk with Morgan Freeman. If memory serves, BB King might have been playing the club....if so, obviously set up for this show, but still....pretty cool Basically, Stephen Fry did what you and Nicole are doing....visiting the less traveled path, and he made a point to set foot in all 50 states.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

No Morgan Freeman for me. 😞

[@Leftfootfools]

Im in Mississippi visiting and the land is beautiful.. Peaceful quiet a great hideaway for peace quiet...I fall asleep on front porch not worry about strangers great living

[@limbiclove9487]

Thank you both so much. My memories of Mississippi are from when I was a toddler. A few stand out. I also appreciate the data breakdown on economics, poverty, incomes, age, race and gender.

[@thesuncollective1475]

27:00 I think the 2% is you 😂 Great insightful work sir. Thank you.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

We all pass away and often we take our dreams and aspirations with us. Subsequent generations live their own dreams and the cycle continues unchanged.

[@QueenJLee420]

That's the cold hard truth to it.

[@D-Slowpass]

It's by design. Let the town value drop then move the people out , then put money and resources back and the others come in😢

[@stevenwilgus5422]

@@D-Slowpass I would not dare tell you otherwise. In big old cities like Philadelphia, that was the case. It is how Society Hill gained and now Northern Liberties. However, it is also true that in both of those cases, the neighborhood grew old and fell into disrepair. Market capitalism rebuilt both. The displaced suffered. I believe in finding a compassionate solution. Diversity is the very foundation or America. Ethnic diversity is the most important balance that we have as a diverse people. In the South, the story takes on a different tone. I grew up in a diverse community that was founded by the Quakers AS a young person, my next door neighbor was a Quaker woman who taught me to read. I wish for a good outcome. Be well and happy. 💕

[@ucukaoma4551]

Fascinating: thanks for this documentary, as always 👏🏽 👏🏽

[@mcherylyn]

Thank you so much for this video. I enjoyed the history and the visuals. As someone who grew up in the 60s, I perceived Mississippi as kind of a scary place, and I'm not alone. I know two older gentlemen on separate cross-country car trips that became anxious when the freeway led them to the Mississippi border. One panicked, turned around, and went around the state. The other drove through, staving off panic attacks. Both happened in the last 20 years.

[@fastpray353]

He’s not alone in that!!! Even today.

[@louiswatson6227]

My wife is from Clarksdale, MS I'm from Pearl, south of there near Jackson at 35:14 is a pic of Nate Dog a famous rapper he worked with Snoop Dogg, a lot of good history there, yes a lot of history .... 😊

[@TeresaSTJ]

Love you video’s. The detail’s you have added are wonderful.

[@Fpjao16]

Love watching these videos just to see how others, or where others live

[@gatorgogo2742]

Was surprising to not see more churches. No cats and dogs wandering around either. No police stations or fire departments. Few stores and gas stations. I appreciated the calm and quiet of the little towns. Are you going to visit Gees Bend in Alabama? It was lovely having morning with you two. Joe, your bbq sandwich and fries would be a good breakfast about now. LOL Thanks

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yes, very few churches. I was surprised as well. Nocats anywhere!! I looked. :(

[@manifestdesires4298]

I love the way that you give so much for not only the people living there but the history of such places while educating along the way thank you