Under Yazoo Clay: Episode - "Not Where We Go"

Introduction

In the poignant episode titled "Not Where We Go," hosted by Larrison Campbell under the collaboration of iHeartPodcasts and the Mississippi Museum of Art, the narrative delves deep into the intricate web of family secrets surrounding Mississippi’s former "lunatic asylum." The episode explores the discovery of over 7,000 patient remains in 2012 and the subsequent quest of descendants to unearth buried histories. Central to this exploration is the story of Dr. David L. Smith, Noah Satterstrom’s great-grandfather, whose life and legacy have been shrouded in family silence and institutional erasure.

Family Background and Dr. Smith

The episode begins by introducing Noah Satterstrom, an artist whose extensive collection of 183 canvases serves as a visual biography of Dr. David L. Smith. Smith, a respected optometrist, was born in 1891 and later institutionalized in the Mississippi State Asylum in 1925. His prolonged confinement raised numerous questions about mental health stigmas and family dynamics in the early 20th-century South.

Noah Satterstrom [04:42]: "That story next to the Dr. Smith story, that seems like a problem that Dunstan was having."

Noah’s artwork intricately weaves parables, such as the tale of Saint Dunstan and the devil, symbolizing the broader struggles of individuals battling mental illness within a conservative community. The episode underscores how these personal and family narratives intertwine with larger societal issues.

Noah's Artistic Journey

Noah's journey to understand and represent his great-grandfather's life is both personal and therapeutic. His artistic endeavor serves as a bridge between past and present, allowing him to confront generational trauma and familial secrets.

Larison Campbell [02:16]: "Family stories aren't all that different. With each telling, the beats of the story get etched into the family history."

Noah reveals that his motivation to embark on this project was partly influenced by his own struggles with depersonalization disorder, a condition that blurred his sense of reality and identity.

Noah Satterstrom [10:28]: "All of my memories felt like they were implanted and fake and that I hadn't existed until that moment."

This personal revelation adds a layer of introspection to his exploration of Dr. Smith's life, highlighting the parallels between his mental health challenges and his great-grandfather's institutionalization.

Anna and Jessica's Perspectives

Noah's sister, Anna Satterstrom, and their other sister, Jessica Satterstrom, provide invaluable insights into the family's history and the lasting impact of Dr. Smith's absence.

Anna Satterstrom [07:01]: "I don't remember at what age I realized that I didn't know anything about my grandfather because she would talk about her mother quite a bit... But she never mentioned her father."

Their testimonies reveal a family dynamic fraught with silence and unspoken pain, painting a picture of how Dr. Smith's departure left deep emotional scars that persist through generations.

Jessica Satterstrom [28:43]: "I remember you telling me about it... I didn't know about it until the New York Times."

The sisters discuss the deliberate erasure of Dr. Smith from family narratives, a tactic likely employed to shield themselves from the associated shame and trauma.

Discovery of Medical Records

A pivotal moment in the episode occurs when Noah gains access to Dr. Smith's medical records, unearthing a wealth of information previously concealed.

Noah Satterstrom [53:14]: "Dr. David Smith Bondren, Mississippi Hospital for Restrained Patients... it gives a much better view of the man, the person behind the legend in our family."

These records include detailed accounts of Dr. Smith's alleged assault on a 15-year-old girl and his subsequent institutionalization. The newfound evidence forces Noah to grapple with reconciling his family's sanitized version of events with the more complex reality.

Dr. Elizabeth West's Research

The episode also features Dr. Elizabeth West, a professor of English and Africana Studies at Georgia State University, who investigates her own family's history intertwined with the old asylum. Her research uncovers the story of Hillman Systrunk, a relative who was similarly confined.

Dr. Elizabeth West [40:17]: "Once I got past my grandfather's father, I was like, wow, these people were enslaved... it's just amazing dynamic community of first-generation freed black people in a way that just doesn't get recorded."

Dr. West's exploration parallels Noah's, emphasizing how institutional histories often obscure personal and communal narratives, especially within African American families.

The Show at the Mississippi Museum of Art

Noah's extensive body of work culminates in a major exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art, featuring 183 canvases and a dedicated hall of artifacts from Dr. Smith's life. The exhibit not only showcases Noah's artistic mastery but also serves as a communal catharsis, allowing the families and visitors to confront and process suppressed histories.

Larison Campbell [52:45]: "It was two weeks before the show went up, just as Noah was shipping paintings... a picture of a man was taking shape in his head."

The museum's role becomes a sanctuary for truth-telling, fostering discussions through panel sessions that address topics like archival ethics and generational trauma.

Reflections and Conclusions

As the episode progresses, Noah expresses his ongoing struggle to define Dr. Smith's legacy accurately. The revelation of his great-grandfather's detailed personal accounts introduces ambiguity, challenging the binary perception of saints and sinners.

Noah Satterstrom [60:36]: "How am I going to represent him? Do I represent him as a lonely and pitiful figure? Or was he completely happy for 40 years in the asylum?"

The narrative concludes by acknowledging that the story remains unfinished, with Noah continuing to interpret and reinterpret his great-grandfather's life through his art.

Larison Campbell [65:32]: "Dig deeper and sometimes you only find more to question."

The episode underscores the complexity of unearthing family histories intertwined with mental health stigmas and institutional abuses, illustrating the enduring impact of silence and the challenging path toward reconciliation and understanding.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Noah Satterstrom [10:28]: "All of my memories felt like they were implanted and fake and that I hadn't existed until that moment."

• Anna Satterstrom [07:01]: "I don't remember at what age I realized that I didn't know anything about my grandfather because she would talk about her mother quite a bit... But she never mentioned her father."

• Noah Satterstrom [53:14]: "Dr. David Smith Bondren, Mississippi Hospital for Restrained Patients... it gives a much better view of the man, the person behind the legend in our family."

• Dr. Elizabeth West [40:17]: "Once I got past my grandfather's father, I was like, wow, these people were enslaved... it's just amazing dynamic community of first-generation freed black people in a way that just doesn't get recorded."

• Noah Satterstrom [60:36]: "How am I going to represent him? Do I represent him as a lonely and pitiful figure? Or was he completely happy for 40 years in the asylum?"

Conclusion

"Not Where We Go" masterfully navigates the delicate terrain of family secrets, mental health, and historical erasure. Through personal testimonies, artistic expression, and scholarly research, the episode sheds light on the enduring shadows cast by the Mississippi State Asylum and the families it profoundly affected. It serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of confronting and preserving difficult histories to foster healing and understanding across generations.