 I wonder if readers of Reckonin.com have ever heard a name as unusual as Dixie Strawbridge. Dixie Strawbridge is a real name, and a real man. I have known Dixie for 52 years. He was born in 1954, went to the local public school and played on its football team. Unlike many of his peers who moved off to Chicago or Detroit or Albany, New York, Dixie stayed in southeast Mississippi. Following high school, he worked for my father (who was the county forester) for a couple of years in the Mississippi Forestry Commission. For the last several years, he has driven a truck for a plant which manufactures styrofoam cups. He delivers this product all over the southeast. Yes, he's still working at 70. Every time I see him in town I holler 'Hey, Dixie!' And every time I see him, he has a huge smile on his face. I saw him in town a couple of months ago, and we conversed for several minutes. He has no interest in retiring, only to sit at home all day watching 1970s reruns on the boob tube. He bought a beautiful old house in town which had been the residence of a prominent attorney. Dixie tragically lost a son in a drowning incident on a Gulf fishing trip several years ago. My heart was heavy for him, but he kept his faith in God, kept his head up, and knew he had to just keep living and working. Dixie, believe it or not, is a black man. I never met his mother, so I have no idea why she named him Dixie. I'm thinking it might simply be because she liked the sound of the name. Or perhaps she simply loved the South. Regardless, Dixie is definitely not ashamed of his name. I am sure that he will never change his name to Mustafa, or Jirekus or Ta'Darius. Dixie suits him just fine. Imagine the scorn and ridicule he would have faced had he moved to a northern city. 'Dixie! Man! Your momma actually gave you dat name!' And you kept dat name! Come on man! Ain't you gonna change yo name?' I'm sure if Dixie had moved North, hearing taunts, he would have simply responded 'Naw, man. My momma gave me my name. It's my name, and I ain't ashamed of it.' But Dixie had the wisdom to stay in Mississippi. He works for a living, minds his own business, respects others, and they respect him. Dixie Strawbridge. He's a friend of mine.
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