Mississippi State Flag Essay

The Confederate emblem should be removed from the Mississippi State Flag because it is a callous attack on racial minorities. Symbols have a significant impact that differ depending on who witnesses them. Those who are not bothered by something have no right to advertise it openly while many are clear about how unsafe it makes individuals feel.
The Mississippi State Flag should be altered in order to accommodate for those who are uncomfortable with it. Many have been very open about how intimidated and personally attacked they feel when they see the Confederate flag, especially when it is displayed on government property. It seems unwise to retain such a controversial flag in a state where close to 38% of the population is African American ("Mississippi Flag Retains Confederate Emblem”). Playing it safe and not offending anyone is a better choice compared to preserving the arrogant pride of those unaware of how racism has impacted individuals other than themselves. Barbara Combs details how “the defense of [the Confederate Flag’s] presence at a statehouse or on a license plate [...] shockingly discounts the violence and discrimination African-Americans still face,” (Keane).To create a new state flag, Mississippi should hold a competition to design it. This incorporates the community, and it costs less than hiring a

Kofman reports that both the Mississippi Legacy Fund and the Mississippi Economic Council agree that there will be economic consequences to the state’s decision on their flag. The state flag impacts Mississippi companies and the state itself. Tourism will decrease and that leads to a lack of patronage at local businesses (Sanburn). It makes no economic sense to keep a flag that will damage the state. It makes no moral sense to keep a flag that hurts that state’s citizens fiscally as well