This Day SINNERS And The Deep History Of The Mississippi Delta (Some Sunday Context)
May 11, 2025
Wright Thompson, a seasoned writer for ESPN and The Atlantic, dives deep into the Mississippi Delta's rich yet troubled history. He explores the cultural significance of the film 'Sinners' and its connection to the soulful blues music of the region. Highlighting the catastrophic 1927 Flood, he discusses its lasting impact on the economy and society. Thompson reflects on the intersection of capitalism and community resilience, urging the importance of accountability during crises, drawing parallels to modern challenges in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
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Ancient Awareness of River Power
- The Mississippi River flood in 1927 unfolded slowly over a year causing dread, but the major levee breaks happened fast and with devastating effect.
- Ancient Native American cultures avoided certain areas later devastated by the flood, hinting at the river's feared power long before modern records.
River Containment Backfires
- Human efforts to contain the Mississippi through narrowing and levees worsened flood impacts by forcing higher water levels and limiting overflow areas.
- The river will always find a way through eventually, making containment attempts risky and often counterproductive.
Flood Workers Held at Gunpoint
- Landowners called in the National Guard to hold flood displaced black workers at gunpoint in tent cities to maintain the labor force.
- These "tent cities" were effectively prisons, trapping people who lost everything during the flood amid rising unrest and the Great Migration.
