"Big Ole Yard"

October 05, 2021
Starkville, MS

Abstract

 A.H. is a mother and a self-proclaimed country girl who grew up in Louisville, Mississippi, where most of her family continues to reside. She spoke about her childhood homes, and her experience being raised in various trailer parks. Before moving, A.H. worked as a hairdresser and managed a restaurant in Louisville. A.H. came to Starkville, Mississippi, and moved in with a friend about a year ago for a job opportunity and a change of pace. However, her residence turned out to be a disappointment and she hopes to move out of her current living situation soon. A.H., her roommate, and their children are the only tenants remaining in her apartment building of four units, as the surrounding three residences are in exceptionally poor condition. She warned the interview team about the danger of inhaling mold, and floors in adjacent units collapsing if stepped on.

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A.H. speaks about the poor maintenance of the apartment complex. She was not sure who oversaw maintenance, as none had been performed. She lists mold from the apartment below, the leaky ceiling, busted pipes, and the toilet about to fall in, none of which have been addressed despite several maintenance requests. She hopes to move out and rent a house with a yard for her son to have a safe space to play. She made it clear that she does not trust the area around her current apartment residence enough to allow her son to play outside unsupervised. A.H. describes the struggles with keeping her young high energy son indoors and away from the street, reminiscing about her life in the country with plenty of space. And though she expresses much disdain for packing and potentially leaving most of her personal possessions behind, she has been planning her move for over a month. A.H.'s vision for her dream home was simple: something with a yard, quiet, and a place where she can stay for a long time.

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You can listen to an excerpt of A.H.'s interview here:

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