Posted on Jun 29, 2020
Mississippi Black Lawmaker On Taking Down The Flag: A Symbol Of 'Hate And Not Love'
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Mississippi plans to fly a new state flag — a flag without the Confederate battle emblem in the corner. The state House and Senate voted Sunday to retire the current flag, and Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is expected to sign the measure.
Democratic state Sen. Derrick Simmons voted for the bill, which calls for a nine-member commission to design a new flag that includes the phrase "In God We Trust."
As an African American growing up and working in Mississippi, Simmons says the flag represents "hate and not love." It has flown since 1894.
"It was a very hateful oppressive and divisive symbol," he tells Morning Edition.
"Let's take this flag down," he says, "but let's also address all the other issues that we face in Mississippi." The poverty rate of Black Mississippians is among the highest in the country and African Americans in the state have been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus.
Democratic state Sen. Derrick Simmons voted for the bill, which calls for a nine-member commission to design a new flag that includes the phrase "In God We Trust."
As an African American growing up and working in Mississippi, Simmons says the flag represents "hate and not love." It has flown since 1894.
"It was a very hateful oppressive and divisive symbol," he tells Morning Edition.
"Let's take this flag down," he says, "but let's also address all the other issues that we face in Mississippi." The poverty rate of Black Mississippians is among the highest in the country and African Americans in the state have been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus.
Mississippi Black Lawmaker On Taking Down The Flag: A Symbol Of 'Hate And Not Love'
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Jackson
Posted >1 y ago
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It's about damn time. The stars & bars will be eliminated from the state flag, I expect to see that loser's banner displayed more openly - even here in MS. This is a one-plate state - only a rear license plate is required, and a great many already use it as the first bug catcher.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SSG Dennis R. I Concur, I'm Sure there is Some Folks that will bust My Chops about having Served on USS Arkansas and Some of the Ships Logo's do have a Modified Stars and Bars but The Ship's Hat that I wear Just Has a Pig, The Razorback, My Favorite Emblem of "The Pig Boat" "The Mighty Ark"
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SSG Dennis R.
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - I lived in 7 states, all but 1 in the south after retiring. CONUS assignments were all in the south. I'm what's known as a "Damn Yankee" - one who moved south and stayed. I grew up in Buffalo, NY and much prefer the weather here. As a 3rd generation US born Irishman, I have no dog in the Civil War fight, and view the Confederacy as rebellious traitors.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SSG Dennis R. - The Lady I Married, Appalachian, Scotch/Irish, Hillbilly Princess, Granny Sandy, She's a Pistol. My "Heritage" (A Favorite Code Work with these Not So Subtle Racist) is Mostly German but Scottish Also. Family Dawes Clan Davidson. You want to See Scottish Red Heads All You Have to do is go to My Family Reunions. I Do Love Busting Other Peoples Chops about Being Inbred Redneck Morons but that is always answered with "Have You Looked at Granny Sandy, Your Cousins, Your Sister, Your Children" (Always a Good Point) LOL!
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