Rural MISSISSIPPI: Dying, Poverty-Stricken Towns - Far Off The Interstate

I visited these rural Mississippi towns: Brooksville, Macon, Shuqualak, Scooba.
Scooba is home to prestigious East Mississippi Community College
Travel Vlog 195

[@bramlintrent1145]

When I was a little kid in the 1970s, Shuqualak, Brooksville, and Scooba all had active, jumping downtowns -- especially on a Saturday morning. Now most of the buildings are decayed or gone entirely. For that, we can thank the Walmart in Starkville, Columbus, and Meridian. Once a Walmart started popping-up everywhere in the late 1970s-early 1980s, all the little grocery stores, furniture stores, clothes stores, etc closed down for good. It really destroyed these small Southern towns.

[@hillbillybeerdranker6678]

Same thing happened in Oklahoma's small towns. Walmart undercut the prices and ran the mom and pop businesses under. We have anti trust laws against monopolies that were used against carnegie steel and sinclair oil decades ago, but unfortunately our government won't use them to bust up Walmart.

[@dhorne1629]

I'm from Shuqualak and you right to a degree. Its the rich sawmill and wealthy land owner that moved the tax base from these communities but they still control the wealth. The powers of the councils in this county shoot down any potential for growth and development. I was there jus yester

[@xili7077]

👍

[@jaydubya7012]

NAFTA destroyed the small rural towns. We had all kinds of factories

[@bramlintrent1145]

@@jaydubya7012 Shuqualak had a fair-sized glove factory in the pre-NAFTA days. It was in the old Shuqualak High School building.

[@khatokhato9350]

I think your channel is valued due to the decent and moderate way of narration you accomplish. What I like you keep calm showing flaws of locations you visit. You emphasize twice the crime is low than average though high poverty. This reveals the folks are not bad. If so, they will succeed and overcome the recent obstacles and hardships.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for this, khato. :)

[@doug132639]

Well said .I agree .no trouble on here but when that old problem arises (race someone always begins to complain ..it's a shame because here was/ is a very well balanced look at some small towns USA . Stay safe folks🙏💚🍀🌹

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

"'If so, they will succeed and overcome the recent obstacles and hardships. Well, if it hasn't happened in the last 50 years the next 50 are not promising.

[@daviddecelles8714]

It puts the lie to social scientists who claim that the root of poverty is economic.

[@michaelmilitello5644]

William Faulkner once said, “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.”

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

It's not difficult to imagine "A Rose for Emily" taking place in any of these out of the way boroughs. I bet really old inhabitants have a story or two to tell.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

Dude died in 1962 but if you could bring him back 60+ years later there wouldn't be much changed.

[@JohnLockesReflection]

@@Bonzi_Buddy Except the Capital Jackson, being a shell of its former self after years of corruption? The water system is crumbling and crime is out of control. Quite a change from 62’?

[@aliceballew2982]

Wow!!Never Before heard you give the amount of of Race in a Town before,But Thanks for your views Anyway,places I would Never before see,Especially rural oldtown it gives me a sense of times back then,live the Old stuff,But where is Everybody, Everywhere? Sad we've been kidnapped by technology, Prisons & Experimental projects,trading us with the Aliens & stuff,haaaaa,

[@devorah935]

Nahh go up to Merthyr Tydfil first 🥴

[@tumbleweed57]

These small towns are all over the country. An important thing to remember is that the people in these towns depend on each other and help when they can. It is likely that for “big groceries” they would go to Columbus or Meridian for that and stock up.

[@bjmcia]

Ever think about interviewing some of the locals where you travel to get their takes on their towns? Love your facts and figures...I'm a MS native and attended MSU but have never visited those areas...knew lots of kids from those areas...love your channel!

[@chenyansong]

I second that, these videos are great but will be much lively if can include some chatting with locals

[@memk4749]

@@chenyansongtowns like the one he’s in can be pretty insular. Would be cool though if it could be pulled off.

[@kingcorey662]

Born in Macon, MS. Graduated high school there. I left the state after graduating college but all of my family is still there. Small town but people with big hearts. I visit very often.

[@jms4755]

They sound like fools in these comments. Running off with blanketed stats and what the eye sees with no depth of knowledge. I have 2 engineering degrees, and I am from a family that owns 100 plus acres across the county. I was raised and educated in Brooksville, MS/Noxubee County. Nothing but good people and very smart ones too.

[@normajrucker3054]

@@jms4755 Amen! I concurs with everything that you said. These people only objective is to criticize and put others down without knowing a darn thing about the town nor the peoples. It's sad, rude and disrespectful how these people can be okay with posting without thinking first; giving no thought to who they maybe offending, perhaps they just do not care.

[@sirhc07]

Despite the high poverty theses towns are very clean poverty doesn't mean people are bad people I wish my homestate of Massachusetts look as clean so much litter scattered everywhere through city streets and scattered along the highways

[@ada-kayawalkerkeshaparsons7208]

I still live here in Mississippi and I appreciate you are revealing to the world our Post slavery condition

[@johnpollard4158]

Being poor doesn't make you a criminal, being poorly raised does. Working for everything you have makes you respect what it takes to earn it.

[@jonathankattner6887]

It depends on how poor and what is at stake.. if your children are hungry, there may be the temptation to steal, which may not be the case if the social support network is better.

[@daviddecelles8714]

Well said.

[@shootshellz]

@@jonathankattner6887 So having a social worker prevents theft? I call BS on that bilge water.

[@jonathankattner6887]

@@shootshellz Not a social worker, a social support network... that could be family, or adequate food stamps, churches, etc.. Decades ago, when I was a teenager, we were starving, so I would steal out of a vending machine when I could find one with low hanging fruit... I was hungry.

[@poowg2657]

Yes.

[@Dedicateddad4ever]

There’s a fantastic bakery called Old Country Bakery in Brooksville. It’s owned and run by the Mennonites. They make the best baked foods I’ve ever eaten. I used to drive all the way from Tupelo to buy cakes and pies. I hope you didn’t miss it. Good video

[@BradDavis-gw7do]

Agreed. I’ve been to the bakery several times. Good food at reasonable prices.

[@Dedicateddad4ever]

@ Brad Davis yes indeed. Great place.

[@kathleen3177]

I was born and raised in CA . My dad was originally from MS and I have relatives there so I came here when I retired for financial reasons. I live in a small town in the southern half of the state. I have an interest in genealogy so I visit lots of cemeteries in small rural areas.

[@gabriellacson4912]

I was raised in CA and live here in Gulfport MS now !

[@davidarmitage289]

So glad I discovered your channel. It’s awesome to be able to come home , relax and take a trip with you after a long day at work. Very educational and as many viewers have said, your voice is calm and I feel like I’m learning as you talk. Great work!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great compliment, David!

[@josiegrikepelis9018]

This is a very sad story in all these struggling towns. But in saying that, your videos are very eye opening, enjoyed them.

[@Telephony954]

I grew up poor. we had everything we needed, except money. I was made to keep myself clean, mannered, and respectful. I managed to get through high school, and landed in a job fixing telephone systems. I didn't know We were poor, until I received my first paycheck. Man, we was dirt poor. It's all about what is expected of you when you come up.

[@brianmatthews4149]

Well said my friend

[@moonstone_energy]

Family is from there. Went there in the summer as a kid. Never felt poor that’s the crazy thing. I had everything I needed and felt no lack whatsoever. Definitely appreciate the things I have.

[@stevenmoser7233]

I am huge fan of this channel. Às my wife said I taught social science for twenty years. You are more interesting and personable than other resources. You are an excellent resource and students would find your travels relevant to what they deem important. I've contacted several of my former students to watch and they agree that you bring life b to social studies on many levels. I hope you never tire of this calling.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great compliment, Steven!

[@TEXASLOYAL]

When my wife and I go on vacations, we always take road trips, we go out of our way, to go out of the way, just to drive through small towns, been doing it for 20 years, it’s very relaxing and enjoyable

[@ambgwin]

I’m from the county of the first 3 cities and it’d be great if you interviewed some of the locals. These stats really don’t mean much to the local population. It feels like just growing up in any other place. Could’ve shown the medical facilities, the schools and presented some other extremely interesting facts about the county, the cities, and people within it. Like, the Noxubee high football team is nationally recognized, some of our players went to play in the NFL. Back in the day (according to my grandparents), Macon/Noxubee county was BOOMING. We also have a few historical figures from the area as well. You also could’ve gotten some of THE best food in ya life if you’d asked around of where to go. 🤷🏾‍♀️ If you really want to get to know a place, talk to the people. Law enforcement, educators, librarians, gov officials, and the store clerk. Even the kids.

[@c.sumrall8866]

Yeah I appreciate what he’s doing to showcase our state. But if you don’t talk to the local people. You don’t tell the whole story. Do more research please

[@indianaslim4971]

Thanks for the additional info on demographics, grocery stores, gas prices, I appreciate the extra work involved with research but it gives us viewers a better understanding to what we're seeing.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree.

[@amandawhitworth6403]

You have done a great job coming up with a format that works very well . I appreciate your hard work very informative .

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Amanda. :)

[@alleycat1117]

I like a person who uses their blinkers when turning😊 Kudos!!

[@Gary65437]

The added information, grocery stores and race is helpful for those looking to move somewhere. The first things I look for was the Walmart to get most everything and the Lowe"s or Home Depot to get stuff to fix up the old house. What else do you need? lol

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

TSC lol And Mennonite stores to bulk order food

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Libraries are also almost a must But most of all A community of like minded ppl

[@christophermcdonald8211]

Absolutely addicted to your channel 😁 , thank you for showing us your beautiful country , Chris from Tassie

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Chris!

[@shootshellz]

Parts of it are beautiful, anyway.

[@toke7560]

Speaking from the over populated and over crowded UK, i love all the space you have. I could live in Brooksville and be happy. You have amazing small towns that have gone to the dogs. They could all be great places.

[@gergk5]

As a photographer & graphic designer I'm just fascinated at the unique sceneries, the good & the not so good, buildings & infrastructure. Some could actually make interesting yet remarkable material for stock photos, compositing & other design. Driving through, I feel like I could find myself stopping so many times to take photos and risk rubbing the locals the wrong way. I'm super curious about the schooling situation(s) in the remote & sparsely populated areas/towns.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Absolutely, and I agree at how interesting the imagery is.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

High school is a county-wide high school. Noxubee County High School. 563 Students, 558 black, 3 Hispanic, 2 white. 560 are eligible for free lunch. Taxpayers seem to be funding everything to keep these people alive.

[@JohnLockesReflection]

@@Bonzi_Buddy Interesting statistic.

[@kwinterburn]

I just started watching these videos, it's fascinating the sheer scale of the problem, here in the UK northern coal fields we had a similar problem but never anything like these videos, the distances must be the issue, I now could travel maybe 30 miles and find a couple of buildings reverting to nature around Consett maybe a few hundred overall, but they get bought and renovated by the young people, there was a town cally New Kyo that was exactly what you show but now is improving some 20 years later but the distances are small to the industry, we had category D villages essentially left to die by the local councils but there was such an outcry

[@christinablakley7261]

The students are pushed through in some of these smaller towns. I graduated with some kids that could not read.

[@williebeamish5879]

Yup. And the military loves recruiting in those schools. War fodder.

[@indianaslim4971]

Happens in big cities as well.

[@billwilson3609]

Macon appears to be the commercial and financial center of the region with those earning the highest income living in the northside of town with more developments outside the city limits. All of those other little shabby towns are only a few miles away. Macon was the capital of Mississippi from 1863 to the end of the war.

[@doughboy9512]

I love your channel! My roommate and I watch it and we like to follow step by step on Google Maps and see what you're seeing. It's always a little puzzle locating what street you're on!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That is cool!

[@taschenrechner]

Shuqualak's name comes from the Choctaw word "shikʋlla", which means "beads"

[@richardmcgrath61]

Another great tour. Lovely old buildings in these places. Downtown Macon is fairly tidy even though it's a very poor town overall.

[@jamesbasaldua100]

I enjoy watching your videos while you go threw the small towns. I noticed there is still a lot of room to grow in North America. Take care and be safe. See you on your next video.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, James!

[@katlynnstephens7613]

Used to live near bay springs. The bad part was the lack of work. I had to drive to Jackson or meridian on a daily basis or I would of been forced working at a chicken plant for 10 an hour.

[@jonathankattner6887]

Looking for groceries stores is a good idea, because there are areas that are food deserts, which can impact quality of life, cost of living, etc.

[@zeroturn7091]

*hospitals

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

That one he found was certainly Rotting produce I bet Sky high prices Like always

[@valliecole7942]

I'm from West Point, about 30 minutes north of Macon but I've spent most of my adult life as close to Noxubee county as possible! It is full of history, beauty, & mystery! It's truly a representation of Southern Gothic & it holds my heart!

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Unbelievably low incomes and home values , incredible. This was a really good episode LS. Your content is always good, very interesting. 👍👌

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, CLK. :)

[@gigatorious]

Love the rural middle of nowhere videos!!

[@brianmatthews4149]

Just like the last video's of Texas. These video's tell a story.

[@Thekarateadult]

McComb Mississippi here. Enjoy learning the reason so many profound and creative people hail from here. Ain't nothing else to do.

[@jojocaswell1633]

Lord Spoda, I came across your channel and have been following you periodically. I was born in MS, raised in Greenvilld,MS and attended MS State. My hometown now looks somewhat like this one. It also is a majority black population town, as only the ones who owned property or could not afford to leave remain, once the agriculture industry died! It is sad that there are so many of these towns in the state. Cotton was King for a long time, so when it was dethroned so many of these towns that had built there revenue source around agriculture are almost dead! Thanks for taking us on the road with you, I would like to do this myself one day!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting comment, JoJo. Thank you for posting it.

[@HappyHeritage]

Hi! I’m from Hollandale, MS. Definitely agree.

[@karelltulod3079]

Amazing Love God bless you Brother

[@pippalicious9505]

Hello from a small seaside town on the East Coast of UK. I really enjoy your travelogues thanks for sharing

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching!

[@beverlywilkinson3223]

Not only Muddy Waters was from Rolling Fork MS, but former Seattle Super Sonics Basketball Player Slick Watts. He attended Henry Weathers High School. Great videos and history.

[@bobhiggins6242]

You need to do Dawson, Ga. home of Otis Redding and neighboring Cuthbert, Ga. with Andrew College.

[@melaningirlhustle1355]

My family is from Macon 🥰 you even passed my uncles home 🙌🏾. There was a Piggly Wiggly that used to be by the dollar general, that was the main store until Tems took the reigns.

[@catdaddy5192]

Love rural America! ❤That is very her soul lives!😊

[@an80slady]

Such interesting vide0s. I enjoy following along on your adventures. Community colleges are usually just commuter schools so no student housing like in state or private colleges.

[@janetbaker6096]

I just love your videos. Thank you so much for taking me to places I know I will never get to go

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Janet! :)

[@MegaBait1616]

Safe travels.......

[@kyleelsbernd7566]

Best channel on KZbin. Pass it on...

[@ScottDLR]

It's all very interesting - thanks for the vid. I live in Washington state and I don't think we have any towns like these.

[@dirkwyse1609]

Seems like a lot of nice new big cars, trucks, and SUVs in Macon - these folks may be poor but they're riding in style.

[@KASSOR0123]

Saludos desde Argentina. Me encantan tus videos amigo. Los pueblos americanos tienen su encanto y a la ves su misterio. Son bonitos y en algunos casos, como misteriosos y como que hubiera fantasmas dando vueltas por ahi. Muy bueno. Me gusta. Que Dios bendiga a estados Unidos y su gente.

[@小顾-o6d]

I like the old trees

[@edreimer4058]

Would love to see inside some of those big old abandoned homes, I know not the scope of this channel.

[@brokenarrow2835]

South and south east Louisiana about the same .When industry leaves so does the town.....

[@Vincent-mindeye]

"The cure for the whole misery of poverty is the development of the appreciation of those things that are really worth while; having attended to necessities such as the production of corn and wine, devote the surplus energies not to the production of that kind of luxury which can only be enjoyed by few, but to the creation of beauty." - Aleister Crowley

[@johaines2214]

Thank you.

[@rocinblues]

You're right those roads were horrible. Very interesting tour of the rural life. Thanks!

[@Yawndave]

Saturday morning...time to slurp some coffee and cruise with Lord Spoda! I've only spent a little time in Mississippi--driving the Natchez Trace, which was really nice. Shuqualak...isn't that the name of a dance in the song "She Hangs Out" by The Monkees? (just kidding🙂) That retro Philco sign at 16:49 looks like it could be a candidate for your man cave. Happy trails!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I do love the Monkees, YD! :)

[@tinabowbinathebroncolady3937]

You should have stopped and looked at the mural. Also the 1st little abandoned church was beautiful. Blows the theory that poverty = crime. I'm encouraged by that.

[@vortexwav]

I’m from brooksville, moved to Detroit when i was 2. My mom grew up here and i spent allot of my early childhood summers there in the late 90’s. Things were a lot more busy even then. Now it’s just dead.

[@haiybo]

Hey from the UK! I watch your interesting videos from time to time. I would love to hear a few words with local people in these towns if you ever stop? To add a bit of colour and history to what you are showing.

[@subhashnaidu6520]

Thank you bro for beautiful video from fiji island

[@peggyleethrower9070]

While you're in MS. Can you check out towns like Braxton, Mississippi. I have a friend who lives there I was always wondered what area is like. She lives right off the HWY. THX Love your videos. I get to see some places I didn't know existed.

[@dorothyball6003]

I do appreciate your channel. I do find your demeanor and narrative quite calming. Had no idea Macon wasn’t larger. I would like to visit the Macon library, as you mentioned it’s on historical registry. It is a beautiful structure. I live in Oklahoma. And yes, some small towns survive because of DG. Thanks

[@ThePitbulllady1]

Beautiful Catahoula Leopard Dog just wandering around Brooksville

[@caraolson1226]

the store thing its a must what. a great idea

[@majorlagg9321]

East Mississippi Community College was featured in a season of Last Chance U

[@0245831]

Excellent Video however where are all the citizens?

[@geo7918]

grate touers of small towns can you show some more of the railroad Depots im in to trains thanks again for the small old ttown touers

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I do try to show train depots, as I am a fan of them myself.

[@mekon1971]

Always a cat owning the town!

[@cliffordholloway6291]

Enjoyed your video very much. Live in Meridian so was familar with the town names but had been a long time since i had driven through any of them.. Very interesting.

[@buzmcg]

If I had known you were coming to Macon, I would have bought you a cup of coffee.

[@elaidickens3618]

You should also checkout the towns like Fayette, Centreville, Liberty, and Port Gibson all in southwest Mississippi

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

They're on my list!

[@suzannemcclendon]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Could you also visit Monticello, Mississippi, please? It is in Lawrence County. I have never been. It was the site of a family tragedy in 1977, when I was just a little girl. Thank you.

[@Sanne_Sanne]

Brooksville looks so depressing. Interesting yet depressing. Love your vids by the way, just subscribed. 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Sanne! :)

[@duncr]

Hardly ever see anyone walking around these towns

[@klausrain111]

This is a completely fascinating video. One thing I wonder about is why you never see an actual human being. Are they all sleeping during the day?

[@kwinterburn]

It's as though the local authority has zero power to do anything, here if a property is derelict the authority could serve notice and either sieze and repair or compulsory purchase it

[@tommyirwn131]

came to watch lord spoda video

[@HaveKayaksWillTravel]

You made it. 😃

[@jeffsparey9585]

It's amazing as a Brit looking at these places that just are deserted in America,we don't have anything like it over here but I guess our island is too small for people to just up sticks and just abandon a town

[@johngalanti1010]

Looks like only two good things in Scooba. The community college and the football team! 😁😎🏈

[@renchjeep]

If you're headed out west, check out Riverside County in southern California. Especially some of the rural places, like Anza, Aguanga, Mead Valley, Rubidoux. It's fun out here! I am in the Anza/Aguanga area, so let me know if you are nearby.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

It’s not fun in this small southern towns Anything but Unless you are part of a community that interacts often for a social life

[@bobmanfre5083]

11:36. It kinda does make sense to me. In a high-poverty town, who are you going to rob from? Most of the residents don't have much. You have to travel to a more affluent town to find stuff worth stealing, I guess.

[@zeroturn7091]

Correct. Jackson would resemble the Delta if not for it being the seat of government and having major hospitals.

[@memk4749]

Affluent towns in MS have low crime rate too. It’s really only Jackson

[@rennyray11]

I think a real measure of how rural an area is can be measured by the absence of a Dollar General!

[@littlebrookreader949]

Thank you! This was interesting. 👍👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@МихаилЛевеляйнен]

Добрый вечер. Карелия Россия на связи. Как бы мне хотелось рассказать про наши маленькие города и села в полной нищете. Но к большому сожалению не могу точнее боюсь преследования властей. А это значит либо большой штраф либо тюремный срок. А ваши маленькие города даже с маленькими доходами выглядят гораздо чище и опрятней и даже дороги хорошие.

[@nancyparker9986]

Thank you for letting us in the US know…..stay safe !

[@МихаилЛевеляйнен]

@@nancyparker9986 Спасибо . Все хорошо.

[@Endymion766]

Dollar General saving us from hunger. TY General and TY Joe&Nic for uploading this. I'm not surprised from the low crime rates. It's a inconvenient secret for activists that want to use poor folks as shields for their little revolutions. Poverty does not make crime. Criminals do. I was raised in Yazoo and it's also very poor and we had a near zero crime rate. You could let the kids out and trust they would always come back no matter where they went. It gave us about the best childhood a kid could ask for, exploring the woods and old buildings, saying hi to strangers and buying a soda at the convenience store. Riding our bikes everywhere. Where else can you let kids have that much freedom? We've lost something precious.

[@ritakarlsson]

Intressting too see👍

[@Steve7318]

Very eye opening video, the abandoned church with the old home next door is interesting. I wonder if the home is occupied? Literally it could be a movie set. It's true that maybe housing costs are 50% or more lower here but are there rentals and apartments to rent or homes to buy? Some people could potentially relocate who need cheaper housing but are they going to find viable housing or abandoned buildings. I don't know. I wonder if any of these towns have a Walmart. The 2nd grocery store in the first town just looked like a beer distributor but in these rural areas a grocery store is anything that sells food. They may only sell beer and pretzels but it's considered a grocery store. I saw stores like this in rural Louisiana too.

[@billwilson3609]

There's still quite a few dry counties and parishes that have a precinct or two that voted to allow only the sale of beer and wine. A lot of those structures have been abandoned due to termite damage, faulty septic, water/plumbing and electrical systems, structural and roof repairs.

[@miss.g-shun-w]

Brooksville reminds me of some parts of my dad's hometown in Monroe, LA. 42% poverty rate is the highest I've seen in your videos so far (I stand corrected: Scooba) Loved the architecture of the public library building in Macon😍 Pleasantly surprised by East Mississippi College. Why do people insist on wanting to know race? I don't like knowing that part❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I didn't want to do it at first but since then I think it's a good addition, as it's proven that many of the negative stereotypes there are about race are simply false.

[@miss.g-shun-w]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Fair enough. It's your channel and I most certainly respect your direction! ❤

[@yvonneharris374]

This is scary! Our government does nothing. Most people are too proud to ask for help in these small towns. They just keep going! Being poor doesn't make you a criminal. People make the community. Often people become complacent and that happens a lot in Mississippi.🤐🤐🤐

[@sirhc07]

Problem is too much government

[@yz250a]

One thing that skews the official numbers is the cash and barter system within these areas. Most people are on assistance and work for cash or trade. Drug proceeds are never reported. If you investigated the underbelly of the status quo responsible for the poverty, you would be in peril.

[@MrMac5150]

Cool

[@donnagriffin9750]

This town looks pretty good to me compared to where I'm from in Mississippi.

[@ashleykilpatrick5554]

Would love for you to come through Philadelphia MS.... Great town... Great People... Very Historical.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Almost went there. It didn't really fit the theme of this video, as it's a healthy town. I will be doing Philadelphia and some of the other towns in that area of Mississippi in the near future.

[@ashleykilpatrick5554]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Understand & Agree. All of your videos are very informative & I appreciate that you are very neutral on the good, bad & all between. I am sure you know already that Philadelphia has a very Storied past,,, I would say known throughout the world really for the very terrible things that happened here during Civil Rights Movement and though that is Certainly something that should not be omitted from our history, I would like to say prior to your visit here that We have Absolutely Overcome the sins of our past & are a very Loving Community & I am proud of the Community as it stands. I truly hate that the terrors of that Era happened HERE but I will say that So Much was learned throughout the South from what happened here that I Believe those Regrets stuck with us far & wide. Simply put,,, Bad things teach lessons that stick And I believe that Served the purpose of Good Overcoming Evil, as tragic as it was for the Families of those killed. As a side note, We also have a very large Native American Community here.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Sounds really interesting. I am looking forward to visiting. :)

[@crystalgarcia2143]

Go in July when they have the neshoba country fair

[@zeroturn7091]

@@crystalgarcia2143 good God, no. That’s like going back to the Ross Barnett era🤢

[@jojocaswell1633]

That last one, Scooba, looks like what you would find driving west 82 going through Itta Bena and Indianola, the other MS Delta rural towns. Love driving Thru, but I would not want to live there anymore!

[@tereshaviverette2730]

You should do union, Decatur, and newton ms

[@yvonneholt9179]

Been waiting to see brilliant Alabama you keep skipping over it other than that I love what you do

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

There will be much more Alabama.

[@avalonjustin]

The high poverty rate for 17 and under you mention apparently correlates to single parent households. I've seen studies say that children in single parent households are around twice as likely to be in poverty.

[@Surfguitarist59]

Wonderful video my friend, but sad at the same time. Several times we've seen towns that have or had but one major employer This first town being one. You stated they moved to a neighboring town. If I was a politician, I'd ask them why they moved?. In moving, they've left a town decimated. I'd make a horrible polirician as I'd put CEO's on the chppping block.

[@billwilson3609]

They might of bought a newer chicken processing plant from Tyson or Sanderson Farms after they decided to build a larger facility elsewhere. Other companies will leave a town to stay close to their customers if they move operations elsewhere.

[@zeroturn7091]

Subsidies

[@daviddecelles8714]

The ratio of high poverty and low crime (most especially in Macon:1.6 per 1000) should force many sociologists to reconsider seriously their assumption that the genesis of criminal conduct is economic. Definitely something else going on in these towns.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Agreed. I didn't expect it. The towns overall were pretty nice.

[@billwilson3609]

It's due to peer pressure. You either straighten up or leave. They also have ways to make you leave.

[@zeroturn7091]

Opportunity is the biggest indicator for potential crime.

[@jms4755]

I'm native and low crime is mostly due to people being family. Nobody is killing family.

[@memk4749]

@@jms4755probably also explains the low marriage rates