(Not My First) Encounter with a Racist

I visited a local restaurant this evening to have a beer or two and listen to some music. I sat at the bar, well clad, and enjoyed myself.

Then a white man sat down beside me.

He asked me if I was from around here. (Wonder what prompted him to say that? I know and don't know at the same time.) I said yes. I told the man that I went to school and now work here. He smirked and rephrased the question: he asked me if I had lived in cleveland my whole life.  I said no. He smirked again. 

He then asked me what I thought of our president. I knew where he was getting at. I did what I shouldn't have: I played along. In a skeptical way I said that I didn't know, and asked for his opinion. He didn't disappoint. He called obama the 'nigger' president, and thought things were going to hell.  

The conversation continued accordingly.

I then left to go to the restroom (I didn't have to go) and returned to sit at the other end of the bar.

Pursuit of Happiness

On Friday I moved back to Cleveland, MS and the Mississippi Delta.  I did this because I accepted two part-time jobs with the Delta Health Alliance as a research assistant.  The first is on an electronic health systems study, and the second is on an obesity study.  I work from home to read and write, in Stoneville, MS (a thirty minute drive) about one to two days a week to meet with colleagues, and in various locations and times in Humphreys, Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington Counties to collect data or facilitate focus groups.  I will work in this capacity until July, when I may be offered a full-time position with DHA or move on to other employment opportunities.  

My job search in DC, however, is still ongoing.  I now have five more months to acquire new leads and expand my network.  I am also looking for policy/political work in Jackson, MS.  I am not as connected or as knowledgeable in any other state, so I may as well stay in Mississippi and attempt to contribute to its development.  Who knows what opportunities will be available over the next few months?  Who knows?  I realize more and more each day that I am really just along for the ride. 

I have reflected greatly on the process that I started around Thanksgiving: leave Mississippi and the South for good and move to Washington, DC to find a decent entry-level job on which to build a beautiful career. Things did not go according to plan, but probably for good reason.  While I am not in DC now, that doesn't mean that I won't get there eventually.  I tried and will continue to try.  But the lesson that I have learned throughout the process is this: I need to understand happiness before I pursue it.

More on that later.

Looking for Work

For the past three weeks I've been in Washington, DC looking for work. Where have I been looking? Under rocks, trash can lids, and newspapers left on the Metro - It seems that I may have more luck if I used this method.
(Why DC? Two years ago I served as an Intern with Senator Thad Cochran, R-MS. I worked with his staff and lived in DC for five months. I really enjoyed my experience and knew that one day I would return.)

Now I have returned, and am trying to get a job on 'The Hill,' as they say. I am interested in serving with a Democratic, possibly moderate Republican, Representative, Senator, Committee, or non-partisan Congressional agency. I am qualified for two positions: Staff Assistant and Legislative Correspondent. There are, however, three problems with the job search process on the Hill: connections, persistence, and timing.

On the first, I have connections. Through my work with Cochran's office and a top-tier Senate Campaign this past Fall, I have built relationships with several individuals on the inside. On the second, my ability to be persistent is limited. I have a modest savings that would not allow me to move to DC without, at least, acquiring a part-time job. On the third, timing is a mix of Lady Fortune and my level of persistence. Ms. Fortune would not be as much of a bitch if I planned on sticking around for a while.

This Monday I leave with Drew, whom I drove with here. I will not leave with my head down, but I will leave with a new perspective on the process.  I plan to continue my DC job search, but will need to make and save more money for a permanent move. I will report more on the details of my travails throughout the weekend.