In a makeshift studio Friday morning inside the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, Isabel Candelario Vanegas told the story of what America means to her.
She was 15 when she moved from Oaxaca, Mexico, to Columbus in 2004. It’s where she started her business, her family and where she earned her U.S. citizenship in August.
“America means to me a better life,” Vanegas told The Dispatch. “America gives a way to make my dreams come true (and) gives a better life for my family, too. America is beautiful, and I’m happy to stay.”
Her story was one of many collected through the America250 initiative, a nationwide effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. As part of the project, the America250 Airstream trailer stopped in Columbus Friday to record oral histories for its “Our American Story” project.
Some residents, like Vanegas, were chosen for in-depth interviews for an America250 documentary. Meanwhile, residents outside were invited to step into a red, white and blue tent, where a kiosk prompted them to answer two questions: What does American spirit mean to you? And what is your hope for America’s future?
Their recordings will be archived, with some selections preserved by the Library of Congress.
Molly Jane Carpenter, a volunteer for the event, said the responses were as diverse as the participants.
“There’s been so much diversity as far as male and female, young and old,” Carpenter told The Dispatch. “So the answers that people give are so broad. You’ve got women and men that have seen family members serve in the military, so what American spirit means to them is different than … a child in the sixth grade.”
Javis Olson was passing through Columbus with his family on their way back to Pulaski, Alabama, when he saw the America250 tent outside and decided to stop with his 5-year-old son, Ellwood Olson.
Ellwood stepped up to the kiosk and spoke of his hope for America’s future.
“My hope for America’s future is that everyone is safe, and I’m glad the veterans help us,” he spoke into the kiosk.
Javis told The Dispatch that to him, the meaning of America is rooted in freedom.
“I could go on for days about this,” he said. “We have the freedom to travel about, women … in other countries may not be able to speak (their) mind. It’s just like Ellwood said, our veterans here, they have fought for our freedoms and being able to respect and honor that is a great thing to do.”
Judi Jarrett and Pam Bullock, members of Daughters of the American Revolution, took their time walking around the Tennessee Williams Home, meeting with other visitors and taking photos while they thought about their answers.
“My hope for America’s future is that we will become a unified country, able to work together on the things that are good for the country,” Jarrett said in her recording. “… I feel like citizens can do what they can to make it the best country in the world by abiding (by) the laws and appreciation for the ancestors who gave their lives and fortunes to develop this great country.”
Bridging divides
Bullock shared what ideals she believes define the nation.
“The American spirit to me is freedom, courage and love of country,” Bullock said. “It’s also hope for people that come from other countries. It’s also hope that democracy will spread to other countries, and it’s something we should not take for granted.”
Nancy Carpenter, executive director for the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation and development director for America250 Mississippi, was pivotal in bringing the America250 Airstream to Columbus. Carpenter said she hopes efforts like this can help bridge divides in the nation.
“Hopefully this will be something that can help … bring America and our world back together for peace and for us all to get along and realize our world is not perfect,” she said. “America is not perfect, but let’s do our part to bring people together, not make people more divided.”
Local historian Rufus Ward was another Columbus resident asked to participate in the documentary. Before his interview, he reflected on the responsibilities that come with American freedom.
“It means we have a heritage where we have freedom to basically do what we want, as long as we’re not hurting somebody else,” Ward told The Dispatch. “But tied to that is an obligation to try and take care of people less fortunate than we are and help people.”
Vanegas said the American dream is one of perseverance and faith.
“(The) American dream is … you push yourself everyday and follow God,” she said. “I started my business years ago, and now I’m here to serve our community. I’m not saying it’s easy, but you can do it. Anything you want to do, if you have the opportunity to do it, do it. Don’t wait for tomorrow.”
From Columbus, the airstream trailer will travel Saturday to the state fair and the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
“I think that Columbus is very fortunate that we were able to bring this here, and that people are having the opportunity to say, ‘this is what American means to me,’” Carpenter said. “It’s freedom, and it’s freedom that I don’t take lightly.”
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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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
