Little Worlds -- Spirituality at the Courthouse, Part 2

I generally make it a point to not respond to comments on my blog or social media posts. I’ve decided to make an exception this time around because of the comment from Sherry Shannon on facebook about my blog post of July 18. The comment was repeated almost word for word on my blog site by a person identifying herself as Sherry Morgan. Whatever?

Ms. Shannon (Morgan) begins by thanking me for my photographs and work and I acknowledged her kind words. Next, she informs me that this was not an Anti-Abortion or Pro-Life Rally, but rather, a Pro-Life Sermon. I would refer Ms. Shannon to Reverend Coates’s advertisement on facebook, which describes the event as a “Pro-Life Rally.”

She then goes on to speak of the cultural significance of the Christian tradition here in Madison County and how there used to be preaching every weekend, if not every day, at the courthouse. She then insinuates that I do not understand the depth of this belief within the people of Madison County. But, as I say in my opening sentence of the blog post, “I have lived in Madison County for nearly fifty years, and have long understood the importance of Christianity in the county.” And while I did not mention it in my post, I also understand how religion came to play such an important role. When settlers first arrived in these mountains, freedom from the religion imposed on them by the Church of England was a prime motivator.

What I think Ms. Shannon, and her fellow believers, don’t understand is the changing demographic of Madison County. Close to fifty percent of our present population is made up of people not born in the county. And i would venture to say that a majority of these new county residents, as well as, a goodly number of born-in-county residents, would identify themselves as secular humanists, or agnostic, non-believers, or people who do not attend church. These county residents choose not to believe, or express their spirituality, in the same way as the traditional old-time Baptists.

I have spoken with many people who are offended by having a “Pro-Life Rally” on the courthouse steps - citing the separation of church and state. I wasn’t surprised by this although I, too, found it offensive to those of us who do not believe as the Pro-Lifers do. The Courthouse, after all, is supposed to represent all county residents, not just those who adhere to Madison County’s traditional christian faith.

I personally am offended by the insinuation that I, or other non-believers, “are never going to find true happiness until we find the peace that only God can bring.” I believe peace and happiness are a life-long quest, one that involves good works, kindness, transparency, community, and a belief in letting people make their own decisions. I certainly do not believe that peace and happiness come from submission to a man-made deity whose history and tradition is based on war and pestilence. The bible is full of references to this fact.

I guess what I would like, Sherry, is the same level of respect for all county residents, regardless of their beliefs, lifestyle, or the amount of time they’ve lived in the county. When someone commented on my blog that “they (the Christians) don’t get to take back Madison County,” I, like you, believe “they never lost it.” Our challenge, as people concerned about the welfare of the county we all love, is to recognize the present diversity of belief and learn to co-exist without vindictiveness and accusations, and with the utmost respect for all.

At the Madison County Courthouse, Marshall, 7/22.

Little Worlds - Tobacco

Burley tobacco is a labor intensive crop. After the plants are set out by, and hoed three times over a period of weeks, it is left to grow for a period of weeks. But when it reaches head high, and the most profitable main leaves are taking on size and weight, it also produces a sucker leaf, usually between the stalk and each main leaf. It also produces a seed pod at the very top of the plant. Both the suckers and the seed pods have a purpose in nature, but they also serve to deplete the energy going to the main leaves, thus lessening the value of the crop.

In old times, before the advent of chemicals that would kill the suckers and seeds, as well as, the soil itself, farmers painstakingly walked their entire fields removing the suckers and pods by hand. It wasn’t such hard work, but rather long and tedious. While chemicals were available to Dellie in the mid-1970s, she chose to do the suckering the old-fashioned way. It was cleaner and decidedly less expensive, plus, she had the time and loved the work.

When I first met Dellie Norton, she was still growing burley. She was seventy-six years old at the time and could recall growing her first crop of tobacco when she was sixteen. She talked of having some money of her own for the first time in her life and she used it to buy herself some nice dresses and other clothing. At the time, ca. 1915, in a place as small and isolated as Sodom, it was revolutionary for a young woman to make her own money and be able to spend it any way she liked.

A couple of weeks ago I called the Farm Extension office hoping to locate some tobacco growers in the county. I am working on another project and have a need for tobacco leaves. The extension agent couldn’t think of any county farmers that were still growing the crop.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I’m certain we’re better off without it. Yet, it’s also easy for me to be nostalgic about those times. The connection people had with their land. The time spent with neighbors and friends helping them cut, hang, and hand their leaves. The vital economic benefit tobacco brought to the county and the sense that all corners of the community were united in its importance.

I think often of Dellie and wonder how she would navigate our present world. My sense is she would find a way, she would adapt. She wouldn’t be growing tobacco, and she certainly wouldn’t be the only woman making and spending their own money. But she would be doing something revolutionary, it’s who she was.

Little Worlds - Spirituality at the Courthouse in Marshall

I’ve lived in Madison County for nearly fifty years and have long understood the importance of Christianity in the community. One only has to drive around the county and observe the number of churches in every hamlet and hollar to know the significance of church in people’s lives. After land and family, nothing plays a role equal to church and god.

For years after moving here, I would be asked to come to church with local people I met. I never went. When asked, I would respond that I was raised a devout Catholic, a long-time altar boy who pondered becoming a priest. A trip to Rome when I was twenty, and a growing involvement with social issues, moved me away from all organized religion. People seemed to accept that reasoning.

But, while I didn’t attend church, I did often help neighbors with their tobacco and tomatoes. I shared many meals with folks and the stories and laughter that came with the food and fellowship. I drove elderly members of the community to the doctor, to the grocery store and visited them in the hospital. I attended weddings and grieved over lost loved ones.

I think most of us have a need for spirituality in our lives. Spirituality gives us meaning, and hope, and, quite simply, it makes us feel good about who we are.

Spirituality takes many forms and means different things to different people. But I’m also struck by the similarities, at least, in gesture. In my yoga practice, we do a movement called sun salutations, where we open our hands wide, and spread our arms, lifting them and our whole bodies to embrace the light. It reminds me of christians, both black and white, lifting their hands to the heavens, surrendering to god. For some of us, spirituality resides in good works, improving our communities, involvement with our neighbors, making a positive difference in the lives of others. And for some of us, spirituality lives in what is seen as the word of god and what they perceive that word of god is telling them, and the rest of us, to do. And for many of us in our community, spirituality lives in our work, our art, our music, our stories, and seeing the joy and knowledge they bring to people’s lives.

Yesterday’s rally for life at the courthouse didn’t lack for spirituality. There was singing, and preaching, quotes from the bible, much lifting up their arms to the lord, and much talk of the evils in our world, primarily abortion. For me, it was an old-world type of spirituality: paternalistic, narrow, our god is the only god, and scary. It mostly reminded me of theocratic societies in the middle east, or a scene from The Handmaids Tale.

But I don’t doubt people’s sincerity, or their right to believe what they want to believe. But, just as folks at the rally would never adhere to my way of thinking, or doing; I do not believe they have the right to impose their beliefs on me.

Little Worlds - Marshall Portraits by way of Ocean City, Maryland

It’s difficult for me to think about Jamie Paul without smiling and feeling totally appreciative.

Many of you know Jamie as my former assistant who worked with me for five years or more, and as the person who brought my photography practice into the 21st century. When we met I was struggling to figure out the digital darkroom and over time he taught me how to print. Not only how to print, but how to make prints that rival or surpass the quality of my analog prints. He taught me how to better organize my work. He built my website and showed me how to manipulate it. He encouraged me to create a blog site and offered advice about what to put on it. Together, we hung exhibits of my work.

Jamie had a degree in art and literature and he utilized that training to edit my writing, giving me concrete suggestions about language, word choices, and coherency. His extensive background in music helped me understand the flow of words and images.

But for all of his gifts that he passed on to me, it’s his demeanor that stuck with me most. Calm, never ruffled, honest in his criticism, easy to be around. One time in particular sticks in my mind. I was very bent out of shape, railing about slights from people I don’t remember, vowing revenge, caught up in my own lack of confidence. He talked, lectured really, about my need to get beyond my insecurities, not mincing words - at once assuring me of the quality of my work while letting me know that it was my internal demons holding me back. It was hard to hear, especially from someone forty years younger. But he was right.

So, during a recent trip to the Maryland/Delaware coasts, we were able to visit with Jamie, his wife Cara, and Jamie’s dad, Bill. Jamie and Cara had settled in Ocean City, Maryland, where he was raised. Bill had had health problems and they moved there from Massachusetts to help him get his life and business back in order. Seeing them last week, it was clear the move has been successful. He went back to school studying food science and microbiology and is forging a new career in the laboratory.

Seeing Jamie last week, obviously happy in his relationship, enthusiastic in his new career, still the same thoughtful, smart, caring person, made me smile once again and appreciate how fortunate I am to have him in my life.

Thank you, Jamie.

Jamie Paul and Cara Downey, Ocean City, Maryland, 2022.