We should seize the moment.
As the only state in the union that incorporates the Confederate battle flag in its state flag, we signal to the rest of the world allegiance to a cause a large portion of our population associates with enslavement and oppression.
Removing the Confederate battle flag from our state flag is simply the right thing to do, and now is an opportune time to do it. Changing the flag is an “us” issue. It is not a liberal v. conservative, Democrat v. Republican or a white v. black matter.
Changing the state flag would exhibit compassion and vision, traits too seldom associated with the state.
It is infuriating when someone takes a cheap shot at our state. Granted, we are an easy target. We’re dead last in plenty of categories, many of them sprawling, complex issues that will take generations to fix. And then, of course, there’s the matter of our Jim Crow past.
One of the things I’ve learned publishing our quarterly magazine Catfish Alley is that there is a seemingly endless number of people here expressing their lives in remarkably creative ways. And, so far, we’ve been able to plumb what appears to be a bottomless well of “inspired people,” who are quietly serving their communities in their own ways.
Say nothing of our unrivaled literary and musical tradition and a reputation for extraordinary hospitality Don’t even mention Southern food.
We have an opportunity to respond to a horrific act just as the people of Charleston did, with kindness. No outside entity is going to force us to change our flag. This should not be governed by any “slippery slope” arguments: Today it’s the flag; next it’ll be this or that. This is not about whether it’s good for business, a justification for many lawmakers.
And speaking of lawmakers, their response has been discouraging. Exceptions are Speaker of the House in the Legislature Philip Gunn and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, who early on called for change. The following, part of Wicker’s statement speaks to the concerns of many Mississippians:
After reflection and prayer, I now believe our state flag should be put in a museum and replaced by one that is more unifying to all Mississippians. As the descendant of several brave Americans who fought for the Confederacy, I have not viewed Mississippi’s current state flag as offensive. However, it is clearer and clearer to me that many of my fellow citizens feel differently and that our state flag increasingly portrays a false impression of our state to others.
Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves have yet to exhibit courage or vision on the issue. Each has citied the 2001 referendum where two-thirds the state voted to keep the old flag. “Let the people decide,” is a common refrain and a cop out. You guys were elected by the people to make tough decisions, to decide for the people.
The entire nation would applaud Mississippi were the governor to call a special session to address the matter.
Changing the state’s flag would send to the rest of the world a powerful message about Mississippi. It is a message long overdue.
Birney Imes III is the immediate past publisher of The Dispatch.
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