Writer and photographer Johny Pitts, whose father is African American, embarks on the road of civil rights in the southern United States to discover this legacy. In this new episode he discovers the Mississippi Delta, a region rich in music, history and emotions.
The Mississippi Delta saw the birth of an artist forever linked to this musical genre: the myth BB King. With his words, he made the reality of life in the characteristic floodplains of the region known to the whole world.
The Mississippi lifestyle that shaped the blues is also closely tied to the civil rights movement. “Blues music is one of the backgrounds of civil rights”, says Alphonso Sanders, retired director of BB King Recording Studio.
“Civil rights themselves have always been the basis of music itself”, he points out.
The struggle for desegregation and BB King’s life and career are told at the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center through visual and audio exhibits featuring priceless artifacts.
The journey of the musician’s life, from poverty to wealth, is imbued with the soul of this unique region of the American South.
“Experience what the delta itself represents” invites Alfonso Sanders, “because this is where BB King grew up.”
World famous concert halls
Live music venues are an integral part of Mississippi blues culture, and clubs like Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club preserve the spirit of this music genre.
“It has become a place where people come to experience music in a very authentic environment”, says Eric Meier, co-owner of the place.
Ground Zero Blues Club celebrates contemporary blues talent in an intimate setting. The space is always crowded on weekends and attracts many blues fans from all over the world.
“It is a place full of stories and anecdotes”, adds Eric Meier.
Emmett Till: the murder that marked a turning point
One of the darkest moments in Mississippi history is the lynching of black teenager Emmett Till. Until the age of 14 he was brutally murdered by racists who were all subsequently exonerated by the Mississippi courts. These events shook the world and are considered a turning point in the civil rights movement.
The city of Sumner, Mississippi is now home to the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, which aims to give the public a sense of history through experience.
“Nothing beats or replaces the opportunity to spend time in historical places”, points out Benjamin Saulsberry, the museum’s director of public involvement and education.
Certainly, the Mississippi Delta is a place marked by historical events that has shaped politics and has a rich culture. Clearly worth a visit.
