We've not heard last of Rebel-banner fight

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

HARRISON COUNTY SUPERVISORS 

STEVEN A. McCALEB
103 ALVERADO DRIVE
LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI 39560
PHONE & FAX: (228)-868-8428

E-MAIL: mccaleb4thdist@aol.com

WEB SITE: WWW.MISSISSIPPIWEBSITE.COM

By GEOFF PENDER
THE SUN HERALD

Monday, July 02, 2007
Last edited

Supervisors OK 8 U.S. flags flying at beach
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HARRISON COUNTY SUPERVISORS
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I would like to have a vote just in Harrison County on whether 
the taxpayers and voters want eight American flags flown
or the eight flag of Mississippi on the beach.

How supervisors spent $1 million in 'discretionary" funds
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GULFPORT - Another year of twists, turns and turmoil in Mississippi over the Rebel flag has left bitter feelings, confusion and the promise of continued battles in the new year.

A statewide majority of 64 percent voted April 17 to keep the Confederate emblem in the upper-left-hand corner of the state flag, even as numerous business associations and black community leaders pleaded for Mississippi to shed the symbol, which they view as a reminder of the state's violent, racist past.

At the same time, debate continued over Harrison County's Eight Flags beach display at the Gulfport-Biloxi line, which for decades flew the Rebel flag. County supervisors throughout the year wavered on whether the display should include the Confederate flag. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, county officials voted to fly eight American flags and made only a lukewarm promise to put the Rebel banner back up if and when the war on terrorism is over.

Who's on first?

The back-and-forth has left many, primarily Rebel flag supporters, confused. They mistakenly believed they were voting to keep the Rebel banner on the beach when they cast a vote on the state flag in April.

While the debate has subsided somewhat since Sept. 11, Coast leaders on both sides agree the battle isn't over.

“I think that Mississippi has skeletons in its closet, and those bones are rattling,” said Coast radio personality Rip Daniels, a staunch opponent of the Confederate battle flag flying over public places or as part of the state flag. “As more and more African Americans learn about their quest for freedom and who their antagonists were, you're going to see more people stand up and say, 'Wait a minute, the people that are now being held most high in Mississippi, or the symbols being held most high, were contrary to me and my freedom. They were dead set against me.' . . . That enlightenment is going to cause a lot of people to challenge why they are supporting a society or business or a state that is celebrating people and a time that was contrary to their very existence.”

John French, a leader of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Rebel-flag supporter, said pro-flag people will surely pressure the Harrison County Board of Supervisors to go back to the original Eight Flags display in the coming year. He said Rebel flag opponents have co-opted the September tragedies to further their cause, and politicians used the attacks as a means of dodging a firm decision by the voters.

State flag, Eight Flags connected

“I think the state vote spoke volumes,” French said. “I know there is a difference between the state flag vote and Eight Flags, but in many ways, we were dealing with the same thing. Let's make no bones, the whole state flag issue was because of the Confederate flag . . . The people of Mississippi have spoken, and they spoke loud and clear. The majority who voted for the state flag wish to preserve our heritage. We are all Americans. Confederates were Americans, too.

“The majority of the people in this state obviously have an allegiance to our state flag, and they don't see it as a racial thing,” French said. “I think if you gave everybody a truth serum, deep down, I don't think (Rebel flag opponents) really believe it's a racist symbol either. Symbols can be used by anyone, but that doesn't mean that makes that symbol bad. Do you think everybody who owns an American flag is a nice guy?”

Daniels said the issue is “not a flag issue” and not about celebrating heritage.

“It is a Mississippi-image issue and a business issue. Will that ever go away? You would have to ask those people who feel they are not invited to Mississippi because of Mississippi's image . . . I've said it before and will say it again: Any business that thinks that the battle flag is a welcome mat to everybody is just living in a dream world.”

No tyranny, no slavery

“I think all heritage is worthy of consideration of honoring by the descendants,” Daniels said. “But the problem is that the descendants of those brave African-American and otherwise soldiers who fought for freedom will never see that banner as anything other than a symbol of tyranny. You don't have slavery where you don't have tyranny.

“As for honoring heritage, let me make this point: Beauvoir is missing one thing when they have the Fall Muster (Civil War re-enactment),” Daniels said. “I would love to see or participate in an Americans-enslaved re-enactment of the revolution of those enslaved. They could have the gathering of folks in the back, then going up to the big house and slitting the throats of their masters. But that doesn't happen. Those people are not called revolutionaries or rebel fighters. It's still called an insurrection.”

Given such sentiment from people on both sides, it's doubtful the new year will pass without more fighting.

“It's quiet right now, as it should be, because we have had a tragedy in this country,” French said. “But don't make any mistake that people have forgotten . . . If (county supervisors) go back and do what they said and put all eight flags back up, I think people will be forgiving. But if they don't, then I guess we will be back at it. A fight is not over until you quit, and we are not going to quit. And, I imagine, the other side is not going to quit.”

“I hope that in 2002, we can all live in peace, and the supervisors will do the right thing. But no, I doubt this debate will die.”

On that point, Daniels agrees.

“Fred Douglass said it best,” Daniels said. “Where there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

Geoff Pender can be reached at 896-2329 or at glpender@sunherald.com

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