Flag issue belongs to Mississippi
Carlos Moore, an “African-American” attorney in the Delta has sued to have the Mississippi flag declared an unconstitutional relic of slavery. What would be a Constitutional relic of slavery, I wonder? He claims he and his young daughter are “harmed” every time they see it. How? If Mr. Moore really wanted to remove his child from the harm caused by this flag, he has two options: move across the river to Arkansas or up river to Memphis, but that isn’t his goal. He wants to impose his will upon a majority of Mississippi citizens.
He has asked the United States Supreme Court to review his lawsuit, after failing to win in state courts. I don’t see where the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in a state matter, or “standing” to even hear the appeal. This is an issue for the State of Mississippi to determine, not a bunch of justices who are not Mississippian, nor have even ever deigned to set foot in our State. Our flag is not the business of citizens in other states, either.
I have never fought for nor under the “Confederate battle flag”, “Confederate naval jack,” or whatever you wish to call it. It will not hurt my feelings one tiny bit if (make that WHEN) our flag is changed. The act of changing the flag design will not change peoples’ feelings about the past one way or another. I favor returning to the first state flag myself.
I am truly sorry that anybody’s feelings are hurt or that anybody is “offended” by the flag, but remember this: There is not a single person alive (with one exception of which I’m aware) who even knew a slave or a slave owner. Being proud of one’s ancestors or ashamed of them makes no difference. You did not do what they did, good or bad, so honor your ancestors in your own way, but do not try to deny others the very same right.
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
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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