Dear Readers,This second issue of Mississipi Folklife attempts to continue our focus on the diversity of folk culture in Mississippi. From Aimee Schmidt's second part of her two-part look at ethnic identity in Biloxi to Karen Glynn's exploration of the history and symbolism of mule racing in the Delta, this issue strives to take a broad look at meaning within Mississippi folk culture.
While unintentional, this issue looks indepth at the Mississippi Delta. "Running Mules: Mule Racing in the Mississippi Delta" recounts the community mule races that flourished in the 1940s as mules were being replaced by tractors in the cotton fields of the Delta. Alan Huffman's "Ten Point: Snapshots of Hunters in the Last Mississippi Delta Wilderness" takes us to Steele Bayou through the photographs of Huffman's grandmother, Florence West Huffman. Marion Post Wolcott's Farm Security Administration photographs of Mexican-American agricultural workers taken in Bolivar and Cohoama Counties in the late 1930s also give us a glimpse into the relatively unexplored communities of Hispanics in the Mississippi Delta. While all three of these articles take the reader to the Delta, each interprets a very differerent Delta world.
Mississippi Folklife most often publishes articles about Mississippi. However, from time to time we find reason to cross state boundaries in order to better understand our own traditonal culture. Jon Donlon's "Three-to-Five on the Red" takes us South Louisiana cock fighting establishments as he discusses traditions of betting, wagering and the community relationships surrounding the fighting rituals.
In the first issue of Mississippi Folklife we published two poems. We have decided that in the future we will not publish poetry. There are many journals and magazines that regularly publish contemporary poetry and the abundance of scholarly material and photographic essays on Mississippi folk culture has persuaded us that we should concentrate on non-fiction prose and leave poetry to other publications.
Finally, we are always in search of good material for future issues. Volume 29, No. 1 will focus on material culture in Mississippi. I welcome any submissions and ideas. I also urge readers to send us books, recordings, and media programs for review. Those interested in reviewing material should contact me. Mississippi Folklife is published through the cooperative support of the Mississippi Arts Commission, the University of Mississippi, the Mississippi Folklore Society, and you, the members and subscribers. Thanks to all. Please spread the word.
--Tom Rankin
