Travis Foulks

Wrong Side of the Lake Travis Foulks

In the small town of Canton, Mississippi, everything was not what it appeared to be. This warped view of the town was especially true for high school senior; James Jackson. The 1960's was a decade of struggle for all of black America however, it was extremely difficult for black people in the deep South. In Canton, Mississippi, as well as other southern states, black Americans were reduced to the term "colored" and were subjected to a "separate but equal" way of life. For James Jackson, the division of the two worlds in Canton was normal. He had witnessed several murders at a young age and knew that for some reason, the white citizens on the opposite side of town hated the black citizens on his side of town, but he never knew it had anything to do with the color of his skin. His parents purposely sheltered him from the truth, and their decision would eventually prove to be detrimental to him. Oblivious to the "race storm" that was brewing around him, James lived a care-free life. He spent most of his summer days basking in the sun and swimming at the lake that divided the black side of Canton from the white side; Lake Common, or "Lake Death" as it was called by everyone in Canton. One unforgettable day, James was enjoying his swim and noticed that someone needed help. He did what he thought was the right thing to do, but the consequences of his kind act forced him into a traumatic situation. He quickly learned that trying to do the right thing in Mississippi was not always the best thing. All of a sudden, the "truth" that his parents failed to share with him regarding the division of the two worlds, was being thrown at him like heavy bricks from every direction. James was horrified when he realized that both worlds were against him. Hatred, racism, life in prison, and a possible death sentence loomed over his head, and James only had two options...leave Canton, Mississippi, or die.