Thursday, June 25, 2015

Mayor Yarber: Look to the future, not the past.

Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber issued the following statement:


Calls for the removal of Confederate emblems from state grounds have intensified across the country in the aftermath of a horrifying tragedy rooted in hate and racism. In Mississippi, our legislative leaders have the power to rid this state of a vestige linked to one of our most shameful periods. Why hold on to it? Removing the Confederate battle cross from our state flag is not tantamount to denying our history, as some contend. To the contrary, we're currently building two edifices in Jackson -- the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi History Museum – designed to educate our nation about our turbulent and triumphant past.

I applaud all the elected leaders who support the removal of the Confederate battle cross from the flag. The job of elected officials is to act on behalf of those who placed them in office.  Our legislative leaders have the ability to bring this discussion to an end. Removing the Confederate emblem requires leadership, not votes. The flag issue doesn't need a ballot. It needs leadership.

This topic has the potential to take our sights off more pressing issues that impact Mississippi citizens, such as education, economic development and health disparities. We should be working together to lift this state and the quality of life for its citizens.

 We have much to be proud of in Mississippi. Our economy is powered by automotive plants, shipyards, farming operations, medical facilities, manufacturing plants and some of the best colleges and universities in the country. We are a tourist destination because of our culture, culinary delights, and yes, our history. There is no need to display a Confederate emblem that is out of step with our present and our future.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cochran, Wicker, Gunn, Hood, and now Yarber. While Bryant and Tate pander to the rednecks.

Anonymous said...

The job of elected officials is to act on behalf of those who placed them in office.

It is a shame that Young Harvey Yarber doesn't adhere to his own rhetoric.

Anonymous said...

Au contraire, 9:16 and 9:23 (probably same person). Mayor Yarber is doing a fine job, and yes I live in Jackson. Do you?

Anonymous said...

You are partially correct; none of the aforementioned officials can "act" independently to change the flag and none have sought to. They have, however, appealed to the legislators who can propose such changes. It is also the job of elected officials to "act" in the best interest of their constituents, not merely parrot personal views. The Confederate flag is a millstone around the neck of this state and these leaders are pointing toward greater good for all citizens. Unfortunately, some would rather drown for principle alone.

Anonymous said...

Yes, nimrod, I live in Jackson and no, Young Harvey Yarber is not doing a fine job.

Anonymous said...

Well this Nimrod (9:44) would like to know why you don't belly up to the bar and run? Cat got your tongue? Too easy to criticize?

I like what Tony IS doing much more than what your NOT doing. What are YOU involved in, in the bold new city?

Anonymous said...

Lets be honest. Yarber has only been mayor for fourteen months. Who do you think would have fixed most or all of Jackson's problems in that short amount of time (potholes, issues of kids coming in broken homes)?

Anonymous said...

Is that you BEN? That's some heavy stuff being posted about YOU on Facebook.

Anonymous said...

11:47. I agree. I don't think anyone short of Uncle Sugar will be able to totally address the infrastructure issues.

Anonymous said...

"The job of elected officials is to act on behalf of those who placed them in office."

10 will make you 50 that the legislature punts this further down the road than Musgrove did.

Anonymous said...

Who is Yarber communicating to with this statement?

Is he feeling left out?

Anonymous said...

Good question 1:25. One would assume it is a press release, but it hasn't been posted by the Ledger yet. Wait. What does that have to do with it?

Anonymous said...

12:43. Legislature won't touch this. Ever. But if they do, it will not pass due to 2/3 vote mandate.

Anonymous said...

2:04 exactly. Any legislator from a white-majority district (D or R) who votes for a new flag will be put out in their next election.

Anonymous said...

Anyone think the Republicans are worried about another statewide vote?

Anonymous said...

Changing the state flag won't do a single thing to stop racism and hatred. I see the American flag everyday and it reminds me that ALL races have died and suffered. What makes one race feel the right to harp they were treated harsher than others. That is just self centered, self rightous thinking and it needs to stop. Read the history books. Ask living naturalized Irish, Jewish, Polish, Mexicans, Italians, Chinese, Koreans and even the Japanese. It's time to stop belly aching and mourn the loss everytime "anyone" is murdered.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking it will pass this time on a popular referendum. A lot of funerals since 2001, and a lot of young people that don't care about all the "Old South" stuff. Blacks WILL vote this time.

My only dread is the money that will be dumped into the state by "outside agitators" (as Tate calls them), broadcast nationally, that will make us once again appear to be the bumpkins we probably are.

BTW, IMHO,changing the flag MEANS changing the heart.

Anonymous said...

What is really is shameful is the Airport authority running off way more business than the flag issue.

Anonymous said...

Folks, this could get humiliating. Reports are that Congress may pass a resolution to remove the state flag from the US Capitol. Maybe if that happens, the rednecks would change their mind.

Anonymous said...

4:39. ISIS, errr, flag supporters, don't care because God told them they were right. A man with no wisdom cannot be humiliated. God told them. End of subject.

Anonymous said...

"Blacks WILL vote this time."

Uh, they voted last time, Chester. IIRC they voted 60 - 70% to keep the old flag rather than that ugly thing that was the only alternative.

Anonymous said...

Well said Mr. Mayor.

Keep up the hard work.

Anonymous said...

Shut up, Tony. You have no control over the state flag. Now that you've finished typing that useless press release, how about you worry about something you DO have control over? Maybe grab a shovel and start fixing some of these potholes?

Anonymous said...

8:37. Boo hoo sniffles sniffles. Baby.

Anonymous said...

I agree with just about everything Mayor Yarber said here. He should've definitely included crime as one of the pressing issues we need to focus on along with education, etc., though. Seriously, get rid of the flag.

Anonymous said...

I still don't understand how this Confederate flag issue came about again. Because of the tragedy in South Carolina?

Anonymous said...

Put it up for vote again. We will win for the second time.

Anonymous said...

The flag should change; leave the statues and other symbols ALONE!


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