by C. Sade Turnipseed, PhD
Plans are still underway for a $26-million Cotton Pickers of America Monument and Sharecroppers Historical Trail in the Mississippi Delta, known as “The Cotton Kingdom.” This project aims to recognize the vital contributions of sharecroppers and cotton pickers who helped shape, not only America’s economy, but also the global textile industry.
This movement, which began in Mound Bayou, MS, is led by the nonprofit KHAFRE, Inc., named after the Egyptian pharaoh who built the second pyramid of Giza. We chose this name to reflect our goal of creating lasting monuments, similar to the pyramids. As the founder and director of KHAFRE, Inc., I have written a PhD dissertation on this initiative.
To discuss those findings and other research, the ninth Sweat Equity Symposium will be held at Mississippi Valley State University(MVSU) on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 12 PM in the Carver Randle Auditorium. This year’s symposium titled, “Up From a Cotton Patch … Revisited,” promises to be exciting. After a pause in 2020 due to COVID-19, we are returning with renewed energy and a focus on engaging the community in discussions about cotton’s historical and economic significance. Our goal is to involve community members, students, faculty, and staff in understanding MVSU’s rich cultural context and its importance to both the U.S. and the world.
Over the years, our research has highlighted the hard work of cotton pickers and sharecroppers in the South. Cotton was America’s top crop for over 200 years, dominating global agriculture until mechanization changed the industry in the late 1940s.
One of the key issues we are addressing this year is the importance of teaching the Delta’s cotton legacy in schools. Despite the region’s rich history, this narrative is often overlooked in educational settings. We aim to bridge this gap, helping younger generations understand the contributions of their elders to this industry.
Cotton picking was grueling, both physically and emotionally. The dried bristles of the cotton bole caused painful cuts, and long hours in the fields were the norm. While the history of cotton has its difficult aspects, it is important to tell the full story.
Dr. Jon Jarvis, the former director of the National Park Service, acknowledged the need to honor the legacy of cotton pickers. Khafre, Inc.’s plan is to complete the historical trail and eventually transfer it to the National Park Service for preservation. This trail will feature interpretive exhibits, including shotgun house replicas for each of the 18 Delta counties. So far, Washington, Bolivar, and Sunflower counties have passed resolutions supporting the project, and efforts are underway to gain more backing. While financial support has not yet been solicited, several state senators and representatives have endorsed the initiative.
Former Mound Bayou Mayors Darryl Johnson and Eulah Peterson are optimistic about the potential of this project to become a major tourist attraction, alongside the B.B. King Museum in Indianola and the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, MS. “This project will boost our local economy and tourism,” Johnson said. “It will showcase the Delta’s rich history and draw visitors from across the country.” Peterson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the opportunity to partner with other museums and create a network of cultural landmarks throughout the Delta.
The proposed 20-acre site in the Delta will also include personalized bricks with the names of Delta families. Delta residents shall be given priority for the inscriptions location.
Johnson, whose family owned one of Mound Bayou’s original cotton gins, emphasized the importance of the town’s cotton legacy. “In the early 1900s, Mound Bayou was the leading cotton producer in the world. Our cotton was recognized globally, and the town’s agricultural success played a key role in that.”
For more information, please visit the Khafre, Inc. website at www.COTTONPICKERS.US.
