Mississippi native Faith Hill says it’s time to rid state flag of Confederate emblem
Country music star Faith Hill is the latest celebrity to lend her voice to growing calls to change the Mississippi state flag.
Hill, a native of the Magnolia State, authored a series of Twitter posts Thursday calling on state lawmakers to vote to remove the rebel-themed banner. The flag, adopted in 1894, remains the only in the nation to bear the Confederate battle emblem.
“I understand many view the current flag as a symbol of heritage and Southern pride,” Hill wrote on Twitter, “but we have to realize that this flag is a direct symbol of terror for our Black brothers and sisters. Now, it is time for the world to meet the Mississippi of today and not the Mississippi of 1894.”
The state flag and other Confederate symbols have come under renewed scrutiny amid conversations about racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, 46, in May. Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed in police custody after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for about eight minutes while three other officers failed to intervene.
All four officers are now fired and face criminal charges in the incident.
Mississippi lawmakers only have until July 12 to take up the state flag issue, Mississippi Today reported, citing legislative rules. On Thursday, legislative leaders said they would delay the vote to adopt a new banner but would “continue working through the weekend,” according to the newspaper.
Mississippi Today reported that “various sources have confirmed ... both sides are close to having the necessary votes” to change the banner.
On Twitter, Hill urged lawmakers to take up the vote by Friday for “ONE NEW FLAG, one that represents ALL of the citizens of Mississippi.”
The “This Kiss” crooner concluded her message with the hashtags #TakeItDownMS and #MSLeg.
Hill isn’t the only one calling for change. Fellow Mississippian and boy band star Lance Bass has also backed the push for a new flag — the Stennis Flag specifically, also known as the “Hospitality Flag,” McClatchy News reported. The logo, an alternative to the stars and bars emblem, was created by the granddaughter of late Sen. John C. Stennis and has gained strong support from residents who want to see the state fly a new flag.
Stennis’ granddaughter has since announced she would be “stepping away from this endeavor as I understand the hurt and potential harm my last name can cause.” Her grandfather supported segregation during much of his 41 years in Congress, according to the Sun Herald.
The Confederate battle emblem has also drawn criticism from the Mississippi Baptist Convention and retail giant Walmart, which announced it would no longer display the Mississippi flag in its stores.
“We believe it’s the right thing to do, and is consistent with Walmart’s position to not sell merchandise with the Confederate flag from stores and online sites, as part of our commitment to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for all of our customers in the communities we serve,” Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield said in a statement to McClatchy News.
A recent poll by the Mississippi Economic Council found that 55% of Mississippians are in favor of changing the flag compared to 54% who opposed it just last year, marking the first time a majority of state residents support ridding the flag of the rebel emblem, according to the newspaper.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Mississippi native Faith Hill says it’s time to rid state flag of Confederate emblem."