An education on the state flag
I am amazed that the city leaders of Starkville, other cities, and county leaders of the state would want to remove the Mississippi state flag from city and county-owned property. It is evident that the city leaders of Starkville did not receive an education on our state flag as they have voted to do so and their actions are encouraging people to disrespect the laws of Mississippi.
Here is a copy of the 2010 Mississippi School Code.
2010 Mississippi Code
TITLE 37 – EDUCATION
Chapter 13 – Curriculum; School Year and Attendance.
37-13-5 – Display of Mississippi and United States flags; course of study.
§ 37-13-5. Display of Mississippi and United States flags; course of study.
(1) The flag of the State of Mississippi and the flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the school building at all times during the hours of daylight when the school is in session when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. It shall be the duty of the board of trustees of the school district to provide for the flags and their display.
(2) Whenever the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff by order or instructions of the President or pursuant to federal law, all public schools shall lower the United States flag in accordance with the executive order or instructions or federal law. The school shall announce the reason that the flag is being flown at half-staff to all students in assembly or by teachers in the various classrooms or by prominently displaying written notice throughout the school stating the reason that the flag has been lowered.
(3) In all public schools there shall be given a course of study concerning the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Mississippi. The course of study shall include the history of each flag and what they represent and the proper respect therefor. There also shall be taught in the public schools the duties and obligations of citizenship, patriotism, Americanism and respect for and obedience to law.
“Roots in the past, visions of the future, opportunities in the present.” — Rachel Bolstad
The city leaders of Starkville need to go back to school and understand the roots of the past in our history. The state flag is not the blame when one takes it upon himself/herself to disrespect others. When we remove God, prayer and discipline from our schools can we expect people in our society to behave to a higher standard? The superintendent of the Oktibbeha County — Starkville School District needs to become familiar with the law and display the state flag at the Greensboro Center (the district central office complex).
Robert Heinlein said it best, “a generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.”
Aubrey Ray
Sturgis
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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