Video Shows Side Of Mississippi You’ve Likely Never Seen

By now it seems like everyone has made a video to Pharell’s “Happy”. It’s one of those viral phenomenon that has swept the world. Yes, now my home state of Mississippi has a “Happy” video too but before you close this page and write it off as unworthy of being watched, let me tell you why this is different.

Be assured this ain’t the south you’re used to seeing. The video doesn’t show just black and white people as many are used to seeing portrayed. Mississippi is a diverse place something that rarely gets talked about. You get to see the Buddhist, Hindu, LGBT, and Hispanic communities represented as well as members of the Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians.

You will see everyone from square dancers and farmers to the Purple Diamonds dance team (featured dancing in my neighborhood) who compete against the Jackson’s Dancing Dolls stars of Lifetime’s Bring It.

You will see Mitchell Moore the heterosexual Christian who owns Campbell Bakery that started the “If You’re Buying “?campaign. The campaign is a push back against the, free-to-discriminate-in-the-name-of-Jesus Religious Freedom Restoration Act?passed and signed by Governor Phil Bryant.

This is my Mississippi and while I admit it’s not all happy down here we aren’t just one thing and we are making progress.

Be sure to look for Cat Cora and Dan Ackroyd’s appearances too! (Hint those are NOT Hinds County police dancing at the end)

Watch below. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.

Laurie Bertram Roberts is the president of Mississippi National Organization for Women, a feminist activist, full spectrum doula and writer in Jackson, MS. Her family suspected she was trouble when at age 8 she preferred reading weekly news magazines over girly magazines. Her early fascination with liberal ideals, women's rights, was not quite welcome in her conservative fundamentalist Christian home. She is incredibly passionate about reproductive justice and fighting all forms of oppression. When not speaking truth to power she is likely hanging out with her children watching sci fi or doing other nerd like things.