This is the only official spot where the Confederate battle emblem and flag flies at a Mississippi university that is publicly funded. The flag was flapping in the summer breeze when Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women administrators lowered it earlier this week. The state flag was the focal point of national and state attention after the South Carolina church shootings in June 2015. Calls for its removal to remove the Confederate battle banner were met with protests that the flag’s history should not be abandoned. In the fall 2015, the Delta State Faculty Senate began to discuss the flag issue. Last school year, the Faculty Senate sponsored a survey on flags that was sent out to campus professors. The Student Government Association sent its president and seven other university student leaders to Jackson in the spring 2016 to discuss the flag with Philip Gunn, House Speaker. In the last year, William LaForge, President of Delta State, has spoken to faculty about the flag multiple times. Many of the people who spoke to Mississippi Today this week stated that discussions on campus and in Cleveland often went beyond the traditional Southern greetings and got into the flag debate. Students, faculty members and administrators all felt that the university’s position on the flag had brought on a lot of pressure that was not there a week before. “We have made it clear that we don’t like the flag. LaForge stated that he supports the flag being changed and said so to Mississippi Today. He said, “We are not trying to beat ourselves up and claim we’re first or last or any other.” “We’ll reflect about it at the conclusion of the day, but I really want to rely upon the good discussion that smart people on campus will make.” While many policymakers at Delta State for Mississippi are keen to have the flag removed, it is still flying on campus. The flag was removed from the other universities this week. This raises the fundamental question: What should we do about it? This is urgent and more important than ever. The university will also consider other factors. * Will removing the flag, which LaForge referred to as “nothing but a protest”, be enough to persuade lawmakers and state officials to change their state flags? If the flag is taken down, will state appropriations for university (which have declined in recent years with other state universities) be reduced further? * Will students, alumni and faculty who support the flag be protesting the decision to remove it? LaForge stated, “We are facing the issue at this campus when I am fighting for students and budget issues, and we have to deal with it as an insular matter.” It’s clutter and noise we don’t need but we must deal with it. When is enough enough? “We aren’t leaving it up because of our determination. It’s because taking them down is not enough,” stated Christopher Jurgenson (Faculty Senate president and assistant professor of biochemistry). “In the coming week, the Faculty Senate will be meeting to decide what we should do and how this fleshes out. What direction should we take with this? It all depends on how everyone at the university thinks.” Race is deeply ingrained in culture in Mississippi, as well as elsewhere in the country. National academic journals and independent research organisations regularly refer to the Delta’s racial disparities regarding health, education, and poverty as being among the most significant in the country. Delta State University is home to the largest number of students from different racial backgrounds than any Mississippi university. Nearly 60% of the student body are white while almost 40% are black. The student body, which numbers around 3,500, is also made up of minorities. The racial polarization in the region is evident by the conversations about the flag that took place with Delta State students this week. Many students have bumper stickers and tags with the flag on their vehicles, as is the case with many state universities. Others hang flag banners of other states from their dorm rooms. A flag supporter will likely be walking alongside students who are opposed to the flag on campus for every one of them. Mary Mac Bryant, a senior at Itta Bena, said, “I hope this doesn’t seem too offensive, however, I really believe the school should take down our state flag.” “This college is state-funded, and that’s the state flag. It’s our heritage.” Mikel Sykes, a Winona native, was president for two years of the Student Government Association. Sykes, a black man, stated that he is well-acquainted with the issues. He has worked with students, administrators, and faculty to remove the flag from campus. However, he also understands the perspective of the other side. He convened meetings with students on both sides of the issue but could not reach a consensus. Sykes stated that too often, we take pride in our ability to ignore issues that affect color. It is crucial that we don’t become complacent about issues like inequality. We can only work together towards a better future if we are able have open and honest conversations. LaForge, who expressed his commitment to the university’s core values in August, said that they include “civility and inclusive excellence and respect for all; integrity, ethical conduct; accountability, transparency; diversity and inclusion.” The university’s diversity commission sponsors monthly events. The school hosts a conference each summer for Delta mayors. The university hosted a conference called Winning the Race in 2014. This conference brought together national speakers to discuss ways that the Delta State could work with local and regional agencies to improve the racial climate within the community. The National Civil Rights Conference awarded the Civil Rights and Social Justice award to the university in 2014 because of that conference. LaForge stated that “the problem isn’t just black-and-white.” It’s dealing with a poor, first-generation society who needs education to get up. Race is not an issue per se. Although perceptions of symbols such as this are an issue, we don’t have to check off all the boxes. It’s integrated across our system… It is just who we are.” Gunn stated to reporters that he believes it was time for Mississippi’s flag to be changed just days after the Charleston shooting. Gunn was the only Republican elected official in Mississippi to adopt and keep that stance. Other officials, such as Gov. Phil Bryant cited the 2001 referendum, in which 64% of Mississippi voters voted to retain the state flag. The flag controversy was at the forefront of legislative discussion heading into the new year. In 2016, 19 flag-related bills were introduced. Twelve of them would have required or suggested that a new flag should be adopted. However, seven of the flag-related bills had provisions that would have made it mandatory for public universities to fly a flag, something LaForge suggested in his comments to Mississippi Today. Gunn expressed disappointment that none of the 19 flag bills had been passed by the Legislature. Bryant was critical of Mississippi State University for Women and Mississippi University for Women for removing the flag this week, saying that it is “troubling” that university leaders ignore state code. Bryant said this week to Mississippi Today that no matter what your opinion is about the flag, Mississippi law demands it be treated with the same respect and etiquette as the American flag. “Like I have said before, Mississippi voters should decide the status of the state flag. After reading the statement of the governor, LaForge stated that the issue was not on the November ballot. “I believe that’s what is the core of the matter: the state government has not taken action on it. If you want talk about a profile in courage, failure to act or a reliance upon a 2001 state referendum, I just… This week, every campus decision maker spoke to Mississippi Today. They said that the reason the flag is still on campus had little to do the symbol’s meaning and more to do the desire to make a decision that is logical, and ultimately, influential for the state government. The Delta State football team will kick off their football season on Thursday night. The traditional, successful football team’s season opener is the main event here in Cleveland. As the Pride of the Delta Marching Band put the final touches to the game-day performance, the campus was filled with the sounds of the Pride of the Delta Marching Band. To support Fighting Okra, downtown business owners hung white and forest green banners outside their buildings this week. The conversation was dominated by the state flag, the other banner that is still on campus. It is not clear what decision the university will make over the next few days or weeks. LaForge stressed that democracy is essential. The president’s eleven-member cabinet will decide on the flag. It includes the four vice presidents of the school, the athletic director, director of the alumni association, foundation, faculty senate, chair of administrative staff council, student government president, and representative from the academic council. Vernell Bennett (vice president for student affairs) is the only black member of that 11-member voting group. A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Sept 12. The flag issue is not currently on the agenda. However, LaForge, prominent faculty members, and students expressed their hope that the flag issue would be addressed soon. LaForge stated, “This is an opportunity for this campus to stand tall, have a civil discussion about an emotional topic, and do so in a calm and collected manner.” This is a wonderful teaching moment for our students. Our students now have the opportunity to see decision-making in the most transparent, open and open manner… I don’t really know how it will end up on campus.” He said. To support this work, you can make a regular donation to our Spring Member Drive today. This will allow us to continue important work such as this one. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story