Headlines
Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
The City of Oxford passed a diversity resolution Tuesday night affirming the city’s commitment to inclusion. The Board of Aldermen approved it in a unanimous vote. Oxford is the third town in Mississippi, behind Starkville on Jan. 21 and Hattiesburg on Feb. 18, to pass a diversity resolution.
In reading the resolution, Mayor Pat Patterson said the city has a commitment to fair treatment for all its citizens, and that all of its citizens have inherent worth.
The resolution reads, in part, “… the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Oxford declare it the policy of the City to reject discrimination of any kind and to respect the inherent worth of every person without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family status, veteran status, disability or source of income….” The resolution is available online.
Alderman Jay Hughes said that this resolution is about the strength Oxford has in its community. He said it’s time for Oxford to say it’s not like the legislature and government in Jackson.
Students held their posters up at the James Meredith statue, during a peaceful protest against racist symbols and acts.
“This is an opportunity to say we are a diverse community,” Hughes said. “At a time when signals from some parts of the state seem to be focused on exclusion, I am absolutely honored and proud to be in a community that embraces inclusion of everyone….”
Only one audience member voiced an objection to the resolution, and said that he believes it jeopardizes his right as an Orthodox Christian to participate as a business owner in Oxford.
Jon Maynard, the Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, spoke in strong support of the resolution, on behalf of the Oxford business community.
“We compete globally for talent,” Maynard said. “When we grow this community, we’ll be growing it with people from all over this world.”
He explained that clashes from the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement left the image of Oxford marred, and that this is the right decision for overcoming an undeserved reputation.
– Gretchen Stone is HottyToddy.com associate editor. You can contact Gretchen about this story at Gretchen.Stone@HottyToddy.com.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
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| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
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| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ABC |
Sylvia Hartness Williams
March 5, 2014 at 11:24 am
States continue to pass resolutions and laws that according to the Constitution are every citizen’s basic Civil Rights. The right to political and social freedom equality granted to all citizens,this has not changed. Seemingly, these basic human rights avoid the constitution in order to rewrite new resolutions in regard to society’s over sensitive political correctness. By continuing to divide people into different groups overall unity will not be achieved, as we are all human beings first. Cliche’ is the phrase, treat people as you would want to be treated. It is simple but it works. Does Oxford need big government mentality or be bullied by political correctness, in a town known for hospitality and civil rights? Ink to paper does not determine how a person treats another. Princeton offers a course on “Getting Dressed”, maybe the University of Mississippi should offer a course on “Human Kindness.” People can have differences of opinion without treating another human being offensively. We are a world in turmoil that could lead to uncertain times. Suggesting that America is weak and divided is not a light we should shine to the world..
Jamie Heard
March 6, 2014 at 8:20 am
Just plain dumb.. Where in Oxford is any of this even a problem for you spineless socialists to even have to draw up a document that pretty much says not to discriminate even a household cat.. Hence the lack of common sense today.. Sheer ignorance