Mississippi leaders, Coast residents react to state flag decision in their own words
On Sunday, the Mississippi Legislature voted to retire the 1894 state flag featuring the Confederate battle emblem. The vote follows decades of advocacy and protest by Mississippians who argued that the emblem prevented people of color, especially Black people, from feeling at home in the state.
Over the last few weeks, amid national protests against police brutality and racism after the death of George Floyd, some change to the state flag — perhaps another referendum like in 2001 — came to seem inevitable.
But it was not until Saturday that it became clear the Legislature would act on its own, when both chambers voted with a two-thirds majority to suspend the rules and take up a bill to change the flag.
The bill creates a commission to design a new flag without the Confederate emblem, which must include the words “In God We Trust.” Voters will be asked to approve it in November. Governor Reeves has said he will sign the bill, and the 1894 flag must be retired within 15 days of his signature.
On Sunday, as the House and Senate debated and then passed the bill, the Sun Herald reached out to local officials and community members to hear their thoughts on the change, years in the making.
Jeramey Anderson, state representative, District 110, Jackson County
The day I have hoped to see has finally arrived. And I’m proud to be a part of what has become a bipartisan effort to put Mississippi’s dark past behind us. I thank all my colleagues who fought so hard to bring about this historic moment, the legislative leaders who had the courage to stand with us, the activists who fought this battle with us, and the constituents who called, sent texts and emails to their legislators, letting them know that the people of Mississippi are ready for a change. I thank those who came before us, those who with courage and resolve nurtured the Civil Rights Movement that helped bring us to this day. This has been a beautiful moment of unity. I hope we remain united in the fight to bring equality and justice to all Mississippians.
D’Laun C. Ball, founder of the Protest for Peace, Gulfport
It is my belief that from this point forward, Mississippi should better educate its people on the history of this state. Over and over again I have read the Mississippi secession letter, which led us to the Confederacy, and over and over I was told,”Well, I was never taught that.” It is our responsibility to create a level of understanding through better communication AND EDUCATION.
Gregory Barabino, president of the Hancock County NAACP
The removal of the racist state flag is the first step symbolically in ending the mass communication of racist ideology. Black citizens of this state can finally remove the image of inferiority projected by the state’s leadership. The most significant fact is that the state legislators removed what state legislators had put into place. White supremacy can be dismantled by the majority when the majority decides to do right by those that do not share the same complexion. This is a great symbolic move for the State. Now, behavior that does not support white supremacy and Confederate ideology must follow in society, not just on a flagpole.
Curley Clark, president of the Jackson County NAACP since 1980
I am overjoyed to say the least. Deep down in my heart l knew that the state flag would change one day. What I didn’t know was, would I live long enough to witness the change? Now that this moment is here, I can only say THANK GOD.
James Crowell, president of the Biloxi chapter of the NAACP
For so long, we’ve been divided, from keeping that Confederate flag and taking it down. We tried for a number of years to try to get it changed. After George Floyd passed, we saw a coming together of the races on a lot of issues here dealing with civil rights, especially on this flag issue. I am overjoyed to see that now we are not going to be the only state in the union with that Confederate emblem on our flag still flying. And for those who still believe in the Confederacy and that flag, they can fly it in a museum, put it in their house, put it on their truck, in front of their yard. That’s their right. But for the entire state, we need a flag that’s going to bring us together more than divide us.
Rachel Dangermond, owner of the 100 Men Hall, a historical African American landmark in Bay St. Louis
Retiring the Mississippi state flag that has caused so much sorrow to so many is the most radical act of love the state legislature could have done. The flag to be adopted has a duty to represent inclusivity and not an agenda by any one group. The Hospitality Flag has garnered a wide range of support for its design and message.
John Harral, president of the Gulfport Business Club from 2000-22, leading the organization when it adopted a resolution supporting the removal of the Confederate emblem
Twenty years is said to mark a generation. So, it was a generation ago that the last effort was made, and failed, to replace the 1894 Mississippi state flag, containing the Confederate battle flag, with a new flag which would unite all Mississippians rather than divide them. The flag was put to a state wide referendum and the old flag, frankly, the old attitudes, won.
Why did the referendum to change the flag fail? Some said the proposed new flag was awful, some hoped to preserve our Confederate heritage, some just liked what the battle flag had come to represent.
Now, nearly a generation later, we have recognized that whatever reasons were used to keep the old flag, none outweigh the importance and significance of adopting a flag that will no longer serve to divide us but instead will unite us. It’s been a long time coming — but praise God the day has finally come!
Ella Holmes-Hines, Gulfport councilwoman, Ward 3
That flag was always a symbol of hate, and always a symbol of discord, and never a unifier. This is a great day for the state of Mississippi. I’m well aware that the economics of this was playing out in our state, but regardless of how, we are grateful that it is done, because it is a unifier to have a flag that we can all care about, all races of people.
Bobby Hudson, community activist, West Harrison High School Class of 2018 and University of Mississippi Class of 2022
Hope has been restored to MS! Removing the state flag was the first step toward innovative and progressive change in MS. It has been a turbulent fight these past couple years, and for the flag finally to be brought down shows the perseverance of Mississippians. Next we must dismantle systemic racism by voting out elected officials that don’t stand for the new foundations of MS. Racism that thrives within our political, social, and economic systems must go, and it should rapidly follow the removal of the state flag! There is still work to be done in the fight against injustice and to gain unity for all Mississippians!
Jeffrey Hulum III, retired Army sergeant major and executive director of Extend a Hand, Help a Friend foundation in Gulfport
The Mississippi State Flag being taken down is a monumental time in history. For years it stood as the symbol of hate. It is a huge step for us as a state. There will still be division because of the Confederate monuments, but we are working on that. We can take the flag down and ensign a new flag, but we cannot change how people will treat others or what is in their hearts. Many believe that the flag being taken down is changing history. History is made daily. The state flag being changed is now a part of history.
Mark Isaacs, inventor and start-up entrepreneur in Bay St. Louis, following a 30-year career as an MIT-trained architect, builder and developer
I have been working to change the flag for 4 years now and I am still in some bit of disbelief that our Legislature may yet rise to the moment and vote today to take down the flag. Assuming success in doing so, let me say I am very glad to see the day. But still this is just a change of symbols. The work continues in the hearts and minds of One Mississippi.
Skylarr Johnson, community activist, Harrison Central High School Class of 2018 and Jackson State University class of 2020
I don’t think people understand how much it means to have this flag changed. It’s not hard to see how the flag is a symbol of racism, when the people that are carrying around the flag commit acts of racism. I never understood: if the war was lost why do you carry around this flag with so much pride? The flag being changed is so much more than itself. This is a step forward towards change in this state and it doesn’t stop here — we must keep going and getting the recognition of our voices!
Mark E. Keenum, Mississippi State University president
I heartily commend the Mississippi Legislature for their vision, commitment, and courage in voting to give our state a new flag in which all Mississippians can feel unity and pride. I am also appreciative for the support of our governor in this endeavor. Our elected officials provided a thoughtful, engaged audience to university leaders and to our MSU contingent who traveled to Jackson to respectfully advocate for change…. Whether among our lawmakers or as citizens engaged as advocates at the Capitol, on the phone, or on social media, Mississippi State was effective in joining a sweeping coalition of Mississippi stakeholders in making this victory possible.
Now, we must continue the long and complex work of effecting meaningful racial reconciliation, ensuring social justice, and providing opportunities for economic prosperity for all Mississippians.
Gilbert Mason, civil rights activist and retired physician
As a college student in New England in the early ‘70s, virtually all of my fellow students, both White and Black, expected me to account for why Confederate imagery was still a staple in my home State, especially in such a prominent place hanging from a pole.
I tired quickly of having it suggested to me that as Blacks we shouldn’t tolerate it and should tear it down at every opportunity. Hearing declarations of bravado - again, from both White and Black schoolmates- that if THEY ever traveled to Mississippi that flag would be pulled down, stomped on, then burned. … Also, after seething when people at Beauvoir chose to display a giant “Stars and Bars” banner that extended over the Highway 90 fence and having it remarked upon by out-of-town visitors. That era seems to be coming to an end.
The thought of the illegal flag being replaced with the Stennis Bicentennial or the original Magnolia flag is encouraging. I’m not so hot on the “In God We Trust” version but I’ll accept it as representing the beginnings of a new day in Mississippi!!
Scott Waller, president and CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council
Ensuring a promising future for Mississippi begins with enhancing economic opportunities and improving the quality of life in a fair and inclusive manner for every Mississippian. Today’s decision to remove the state flag is historic, but more importantly, it is a huge step in unifying our citizens and sets Mississippi on a new course toward economic growth for generations to come. MEC thanks Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and state legislators for their leadership and courage, and we look forward to working with Governor Tate Reeves in bringing our state together so Mississippi can realize her full potential.
Shad White, state auditor
This is a historic day for Mississippi. A new flag means Mississippi has moved past old divisions, and that is cause for celebration. Any time a big decision is made, some will like how it happened and some will not. No process designed by man is perfect. If you’re frustrated, I’d encourage you to think of what today means to a rising generation of Mississippians. Call your children or grandchildren today (we should all talk to family more often anyway), ask them how they feel about the flag change, listen, and talk. Let’s come together in love for our home, Mississippi, and with eyes toward our bright future. We can look forward to having a flag emblazoned with ‘In God We Trust,’ the real cornerstone of our republic.
Sonya Williams-Barnes, state representative, District 114, Gulfport
Today, as I sit ready to cast my vote for the decommissioning of the current Mississippi State Flag, I am overtaken with feelings of gratitude, honor, and optimism. Gratitude, because my ancestors and the people of District 119 have entrusted me with the responsibility to ensure that the voice of “the people” are heard. Honor, because although this process hasn’t be an easy or pretty one, I have continued to represent District 119 with pride and integrity. Finally, with optimism because I am certain that with the continued support of District 119 and her constituents, we will continue to forge #ONWARDSTOGETHER to make this place that we call home a place for ALL Mississippians and those who desire a taste of Southern Hospitality.
Today’s vote is especially important because it removes us , Mississippians, from the stained banner of social, economic, and political oppression. Today’s vote will send the message to those in other Southern states and abroad that Mississippians have fashioned in our hearts and minds to no longer simply speak to notion that all men are created equal, but to honestly clothe ourselves with the dress of unity and equality. Today’s vote will send the message to the American industry, the we Mississippians have wholly positioned ourselves to engage in the broader economic system. Today’s vote has paved the way to a greater educational, economic, and labor force. Today’s vote has set the tone for the work ahead, but in the moment, we rest a while from our labor and celebrate. As promised time and time again, we WILL forge #ONWARDTOGETHER. God Speed.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM.
