I was at the football game this weekend and picked up a copy of The Reflector. I am a 1982 graduate of MSU. Like Erin Clyburn, who wrote “Starkville needs culture,” I came to MSU from out of state (Ohio). I grew up in a town of similar size to Birmingham and was close to larger cities as you mention in your article.
Clyburn, I’m not sure I agree with some of your points in the article.
Granted, Starkville is not Birmingham. And as you mentioned, part of the appeal of Starkville would appear to be a smaller town. Big-time sports teams, a diverse grouping of cultural activities, etc. would not be knowingly found in Starkville as compared to towns of one million or more.
But this should not have been a surprise to you. Your article is very well written. I would think that someone as bright as you would not take the better part of four years to determine that Starkville did not offer your desired activities and culture.
I admire your candor, courage and willingness to state your views, knowing they would probably not be well received by the majority. However, you lacked the courage over the past few years to do something about it.
My opinion here is that if Starkville offered so little to my cultural tastes, I would have made a move to a town/school that had more to offer. It’s easy to stay with the status quo and to complain about it. It’s harder to take a good hard look and to make a move.
Maybe you were limited in your choices. If that were the case, you should not have bashed Starkville and tried to drag others down with you.
Furthermore, if you were “stuck” in Starkville, I would suggest making lemonade out of lemons. Make the best of it. Look for the positives. Nobody likes to be around people that whine and complain-life is too short for that. Dale Carnegie once said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain. And most fools do!”
I met great people from the moment I came to MSU. I now call Mississippi my home and am proud of it. There is much to offer in Starkville if you look for it. I think when you mature you will be able to reflect back and, if you’re honest, you will have many fond memories and see your time at MSU as a very positive part of your life-I certainly have.
Best of luck in your senior year, Clyburn. I hope you can see beyond Starkville’s shortcomings (in your eyes) and turn a new page.
There will be plenty of roadblocks and dead ends in all of our futures. How we deal with them is the key. Your attitude determines your altitude.