Itta Bena, Mississippi

Leaving for Itta Bena at 1:30, I will arrive around 2:00 to spend the remainder of my day exploring the town and surrounding area. Nordan's upbringing in Itta Bena and the general area of the Mississippi Delta plays a crucial role in the formation of his writing style and the primary narrative of Wolf Whistle. Raised amidst the intense segregation of the South in 40's and 50's, Nordan experienced the cruelty and backwards nature of the South first-hand before he was able to identify the injustices occurring there. He recalls the moment in his childhood where he found himself simultaneously realizing the horrible injustice of the Emmett Till murder and being unable to speak with conviction about its wrongness. This feeling of angry retrospect fuels much of the narrative spark of Wolf Whistle. 

Itta Bena
Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/
e/ec/IttaBenaCityLimitSign.jpg/250px-IttaBenaCityLimitSign.jpg

The town's proximity to the highly controversial, Money, MS as well as its primarily African-American university, Mississippi State Valley made it a frequent stop for civil rights activists in the 60's. Itta Bena was frequently embroiled in racial feuding regarding controversial decisions on segregation reform in Mississippi. As a result of increased activity in the area, more attention was given to the city's sparse, but impressive, downtown area.

Downton Itta Bena
Credit: http://misspreservation.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/dsc_0042.jpg

After sweeping segregation changes occurred in the state, Itta Bena's high schools experienced a radical change in their make up and the academic and athletic landscape has been forever shifted as a result. Today there are nearly 4,000 residents living in the small town and the poverty line remains at a steady 34.5%. Itta Bena's history is not particularly storied or spectacular but it set the precedent for the formation  of Nordan's identity both as a Southerner and a writer. 

Visiting the town, I intend to Leflore High School to gain a better understanding of the effects of segregation on the community throughout the years. The school would give me valuable insight into the racial dynamics and the way they have shifted over the years. The important nature of the time Nordan spent in segregated high schools will offer me new insight into the kind of racial frustrations and guilt that drove at Nordan throughout his life. 

Echoing concepts similar to Nordan's simultaneously unknowable and familiar Money, MS, in Wolf Whistle, The Silver Jews strive to reconcile their post-punk guitar stylings with a more familiar country music bent. Country Diary of a Subway Conductor is an excellent example of their tendency towards unpredictable and exciting short narratives with a distinctly surreal flavor.