Headlines
Oxford, Ole Miss Community Members Speak Out in Regards to Confederate Flag
Mayor of Oxford, Patt Patterson.
People of the Oxford and University of Mississippi community are speaking out with varying opinions in regards to the motion to remove the Confederate emblem from the Mississippi state flag.
“In light of the recent tragedy in South Carolina and the renewed concerns from many of our citizens regarding the Mississippi state flag and the depiction of the Confederate battle flag in its canton, I would like to add my voice to those who advocate for a less divisive symbol,” said Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson in an open letter to the people of Oxford. “Will changing the flag change people’s hearts? Of course not. Only God can do that. But it will let the rest of the world know that in this day and time we are concerned about how other people feel and how many others view our state and what its current flag symbolizes.”
Laurie Triplette
Oxford resident Laurie Triplette shares similar sentiments. “That flag originated as a rallying wartime symbol for well-intentioned citizens. But over time, various groups have appropriated the Confederate flag,” she said. “Like the ancient swastika symbol forevermore linked with the Nazis, outside the Deep South, the Stars and Bars now are indelibly associated with hate groups’ vile rants against anyone they deem unacceptable –Non-whites. Gays and lesbians. Non-Protestant religious groups. Civilized authority in general.”
Ray Meifert
Ole Miss alumnus and noted artist Ray Meifert, however, does not see the Confederate flag as a symbol of bigotry and hate. “The battle flag was never created out of hate, or to represent a political belief or party,” he said. “It was designed to protect the lives of soldiers.” To Meifert, the flag represents the South’s history. “Too many Southerners, [the flag] has nothing to do with slavery or hatred. The South is the only region in our country that really has a unique identity. That is something that other regions do not understand.”
photo by Callie Daniels
Meifert calls the recent motions to do away the Confederate flag a “bandwagon concept” that politicians like to grab on to so they can present a “progressive” image to voters. “It’s an easy target,” he said. “The speeches and statements by all of them are hollow and attempt to suggest that doing away with the flag will help solve the racist views of the country. When are we as a nation going to quit blaming society for all the acts of a few nut cases?”
Instead of retiring the current Mississippi flag to a museum, as Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., suggested, Meifert supports allowing the current state flag to continue flying high. “The flag should be allowed to fly wherever and whenever people elect to do so,” he said. “If there had never been a need for the battle flag we’d probably not be the nation we are today.”
photo by Callie Daniels
Two businesses in Oxford displayed the Magnolia Flag (1861), perhaps in support of an alternative design of the state flag. Wilson Law Office, P.A., displayed this flag on its balcony. The office said it is supporting the local leaders in Mississippi, from Acting Chancellor Dr. Morris Stocks, to Ted Ownby, director of Center for Study of Southern Culture, who have spoken their minds on the current state flag. A handwritten but unsigned thank you note is seen on the office’s front desk.
Neilson’s Department Store, in business since 1839, also displayed the flag at the top. However, the design is different: it doesn’t have a red bar at its end on its right.
photo by Callie Daniels
Beth Harmon is managing editor for HottyToddy.com. Email her at beth.harmon@hottytoddy.com Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor at HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.
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Bill Wilkes
June 24, 2015 at 6:31 pm
We must be able to change, or we can’t evolve or improve, which eventually leads to extinction. It’s what we do that matters, not what flags we wave. If we Mississippians keep what is good and right in our minds, and DO IT, we will survive.
Georgia Griffin
June 24, 2015 at 7:58 pm
If we allow the liberals to strip us of our flag, what we they take next?
I refuse to allow our State to be bullied into this! This is knee-jerk reaction to what happened in SC. It was unfortunate.. but the Confederate Flag did not murder those innocent people! That young man did that!
Terry Tramel
June 24, 2015 at 10:05 pm
This is not “just a flag”, it’s who we are. Do we so easily discard that because some deranged individual waved it before he committed a hidious crime? What does that say about our character? Will we discard the American flag if it becomes offensive to a foreign religion or nation? It’s really not just a flag it’s “principle”.
Roland Jones
June 24, 2015 at 10:09 pm
I love my home state, Mississippi. I love the “south”. My college frat has it’s roots in the aftermath of the civil war and the true gentlemen leaders at that time. But because the battle flag of Virginia has been appropriated by vile groups and evil-intentioned people, it will be best to quietly replace it. No fanfare allows for no gloating
Ellen Russell
June 24, 2015 at 10:27 pm
In one of the photos of the individual who murdered the people in SC, he was shown holding the Confederate battle flag. He was also wearing a Gold’s Gym t shirt. Do we call for a boycott of Gold’s Gym?
Linda carter
June 24, 2015 at 10:33 pm
i can not believe Laurie Triplette! Put our confederate flag in the same category as the Nazi Swaskia. Same on you!!!!
Steve Sallis
June 25, 2015 at 7:38 am
Racism is alive and well in the South and other parts of the country. Most folks agree that racism is bad, yet they would fight to the death to hold on to the universal symbol of oppression that the flag has become. It doesn’t matter what it meant (rallying troops in a war) 150 years ago, it is now widely recognized as the symbol of the hate groups that still use it as their symbol. It does also bring a great swelling of pride and thumping of chest in certain parts of the country, a lasting symbol of misplaced pride in a failed attempt to maintain a way of life that centered around owning other humans. Getting rid of the flag would let those reared in MS to say to our home state’s detractors “see, they do get it right sometimes”. Peace. Love. Kindness.
Laurie Triplette
June 25, 2015 at 9:22 am
We all love Mississippi and our Southern heritage. It’s time to build positively on that heritage and say a prayer over our ghosts as we move forward. For additional information about how originally pure symbols can and do get hijacked, check out the history of the symbol we call the swastika:
http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/symbol-swastika-and-its-12000-year-old-history-001312
http://www.religionfacts.com/symbols/swastika
https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Swastika
Leo Capone
June 25, 2015 at 11:16 am
Just adopt the Magnolia Flag and be done. It has real history without the baggage.
Leo Capone
June 29, 2015 at 8:17 am
Ellen, Gold’s Gym t shirts do not have a long and documented connection to hate groups.
WL Geiger
November 2, 2015 at 10:25 pm
The state flag has never been waved by a hate group!