What does being part of the Columbus community mean to you?
Responses to that question, whether good or bad, are what the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and American Conversation Project are hoping residents answer during a series of five recorded conversations in August, said Melissa Duncan-Thomas, CLPLS community engagement coordinator.
“What I would really just love to see is people coming together for these conversations, and then potentially leaving closer to the community (members) that they are (speaking) with,” Duncan-Thomas told The Dispatch on Wednesday. “Because maybe they’ve met some new people during this conversation. Maybe they’ve been able to communicate and have conversations about something difficult, and realize that is not a stopping point. Just because you had a difficult conversation doesn’t mean you never need to talk to that person again.”
The American Conversation Project is a nonpartisan civic listening initiative that helps local libraries host small-group recorded conversations surrounding topics like family stories, civic concerns and local history or stories during civic season, a recognized time between Juneteenth and Fourth of July to learn more about history and civic skills, and the nation’s 250th anniversary, the group’s website said.
The group approached Duncan-Thomas in March about the opportunity to host a series of conversations, but it wasn’t until she realized the project, which was seeking representatives from all 50 states, was missing one for Mississippi in May that she finally pulled the trigger to organize the event.
The library will host 90-minute conversations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 5 and Aug. 24 and from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 31 at 314 Seventh St. N.
Those times were scheduled intentionally in an attempt to net diverse crowds for the conversations, Duncan-Thomas said.
“People’s responses could vary significantly and lead the conversation in different paths,” Duncan-Thomas said. “… I would love for there to be participants who say, ‘I remember a time when this happened, or this happened for our own community.’ And then that way we can bring in people … from the Air Force or from the (Mississippi University for Women) who aren’t from Columbus, but they’re getting to participate in that conversation. … I think that it could be beautifully tied into local history just depending on what participants we get.”
The library has 25 available spots across the five events with sign-up forms available on the library’s Facebook page. So far five participants have already signed up.
The American Conversation Project contributed a $1,000 stipend to help cover the costs of the five conversations, which include meals and a book for all participants, Duncan-Thomas said.
After the conversations are recorded in August they will be sent to a database with the organization, which will be available for public playback by September.
Rufus Ward, a local historian, said he is interested in the events and believes they will serve as a great way to showcase current local sentiment in the future.
“It’s always important to kind of take a slice of what people think about their place that they call home and record that,” Ward said. “And really, over time, you see some of that in the past in newspaper(s) and other articles, and it’s interesting to read and just to compare the views of a local community and how they change.”
Ward said he believes hosting this kind of event can also inspire new appreciation for historical fixtures in the city based on the focus of those conversations.
“Things like this tend a lot of times to open people’s eyes (to) a lot that historically is very important that people don’t know,” Ward said. “And then again there are other things that have never really been talked about that are very significant that occurred here or really impact the way the city is today, and it’s a good way to start a conversation.”
Those interested in participating can also contact Duncan-Thomas at [email protected] or call (662)329-5303.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
