Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Sid Salter: A Vital Record: Journal Article Chronicles Path to Changing State Flag

 In any given publication since 1939, The Journal of Mississippi History has been an invaluable record of the institutional memory of the state of Mississippi. But few editions of the scholarly journal have been more valuable to Mississippians than is the current Vol. 84, No. 1 and No. 2 for the Spring and Summer of 2022.

The current edition chronicles the strange, often torturous path of the Mississippi Legislature to changing Mississippi’s state flag in 2020 and the strong roles played by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History – the Journal’s publisher – and the broader Mississippi Historical Society (organized in 1858) played in bringing that monumental change to fruition.


Mississippi's former state flag was adopted in 1894, some 30 years after slavery was abolished. In 2000, the Mississippi Supreme Court, ruling in a lawsuit filed by the NAACP, found that the state technically had no official flag.


Yet the state’s white majority exhibited a stubborn insistence on clinging to the state’s 1894 Reconstruction Era state flag – which features in the canton corner the Beauregard Battle Flag (also known as the Confederate Battle Flag, the Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the Rebel Flag; used by some Mississippi troops in battle) – according to a 2018 Mississippi Historical Society article on the Mississippi flag by Millsaps College historian Stephanie Rolph.

From 1894 forward, state government either ignored protests about the state flag altogether or procedurally kicked the rusty can down the political road.


Former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove led the controversial 2001 statewide referendum that gave Mississippi voters an opportunity to change the state flag’s 1894 design to a new one which deleted the Confederate battle flag from the canton corner. Mississippi voters rejected the proposition of changing the state flag at the ballot box on April 17, 2001, by a 2-1 margin – 494,323 votes (64.31 percent) to 273,359 votes (35.61 percent).


Another former Democratic Mississippi governor, the late William Winter, should be remembered for his courage and tenacity on the issue of flag change in this state. He was fearless and doggedly determined.


But the flag change effort that succeeded came under Republican majorities in both houses of the Mississippi Legislature and with the GOP in control of the state’s executive branch offices. The change fomented in an odd combination of disparate but undeniably connected events. House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann did yeoman’s work on the issue.


The combination of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, the aftermath of the 2015 Dylann Roof massacre in South Carolina, the support of business and industrial groups, and increasing impatience by the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference with playing games in states with flags reflecting Confederate symbolisms – along with the express support of the state’s most influential religious groups – paved the way for political success on the issue that had been unlikely only months prior to the legislative votes being taken.


Author Jere Nash aptly and fairly tells the story of that political process. Nash worked as campaign manager former Democratic Gov. Ray Mabus during the 1980s. He served as deputy state auditor and as Mabus' director of policy and chief of staff. Nash went on to work for a number of Democratic candidates and progressive political causes.


Nash co-authored the splendid bipartisan history Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2006 alongside Republican political consultant Andy Taggart in 2006. The pair also co-wrote Mississippi Fried Politics: Tall Tales from the Back Rooms in 2008.


In 2020, the Mississippi House voted 92 to 23 and the state Senate voted 37 to 14 for House Bill 1796 to retire the former state flag and design a new one. Katie Blount, the executive director of the MDAH, wrote about that portion of the flag transition that required that agency’s considerable finesse in the journal.


While all are worthy, the current edition of The Journal of Mississippi History should be a part of the libraries of all serious students of history, politics, and social sciences in this state. It is a fascinating and important read. For more information, contactwww.mississippihistory.org or www.mdah.ms.gov.


11 comments:

Don Drane said...

Salter is no doubt also a fan of Critical Race Theory since it (too) purports to teach (indoctrinate) in a fashion that would agree with his personal narrative.

Giving only parenthetical mention to alternative views on The Flag (or race relations) is far from inclusive, fair and unbiased. Those opposed to the change had no voice in the matter. They only had the option of choosing among several unsavory designs.

If you're giving a man twenty lashes (for whatever reason) and you pause for a minute to listen to his cries and pleas, you can claim you allowed him to express himself and considered his voice, as you continue with the lashes. This is exactly what happened in the (non)conversation in 2020 regarding The Flag. And it's what Salter is guilty of as well.

'What we have here is a failure to communicate' and another reason to distrust government.

Anonymous said...

"Institutional memory" may well be the biggest problem for the state of Mississippi.

I was born, raised, and lived in Mississippi for 40 years, and I also started a family and a business in Mississippi. I'll always be a Mississippian in my heart, but I left two years ago.

It's remarkable how many Mississippians spend the bulk of their time, energy, and resources on symbolic issues, this being a prime example. Mississippi has much to be proud of and much to be ashamed of, and nearly all of it is in the far-distant past.

Mississippi insists on looking backwards while other states look forward, and the state will continue its decline until that changes.

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with the new flag. I had no problem with the old flag. What I do have a problem with is the fact that after a record turnout to vote, often waiting over a hour (as I did), the results were neglected. It was an overwhelming vote to keep the old flag. From now on, the argument will be “the results of the vote don’t matter as evidenced and approved by the flag vote.”. Laugh if you want, but that is what is coming.

Anonymous said...

Always saw the old flag as a flag of surrender and so the change IMO was needed. Living in the past has always been an issue for many Mississippians and that flag embodied the past. Not a very savory one at that. That said, THE PEOPLE voted to keep it and your elected piss in your face and changed it.

Anonymous said...

We could’ve had an epic mosquito 🦟 flag if weren’t for those boring ass honkeys on the blue ribbon flag commission

Anonymous said...

Salter brings the word scalawag to mind...

Anonymous said...

If court historian and presstitute Sid Salter says it's so, well, then, that should settle the matter once and for all.

And look how businesses have stopped fleeing the state and new businesses flock to set up shop now that Our Betters changed our flag for us.

Krusatyr said...

The new flag design is nice looking but the message is "We value things pretty and fragrant".

IMO, a Mockingbird, a warrior-artist, is a better symbol for MS to live up to. It can not only fight cats and hawks ferociously to defend its nest and wing flash to hunt insects but can also learn to sing hundreds of tunes.

Anonymous said...

Is this really all Sid could think to babble about this week?


I would rather read one of Sid's essays about an air conditioner malfunctioning at a Neshoba County Fair cabin,
... or St. John typing eight paragraphs about the best cinnamon roll in Italy.


Anonymous said...

Y'all but Sidney some slack. He's well on his way to becoming the new Jerry Mitchell, only with a PERS cushion.

MSU is too stupid to fire him but should have at least made him an independent contractor. He's got pictures of somebody for damned sure.

Anonymous said...

Sid Salter and Jerry Mitchell need to get a room and get it over with.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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