Our Flag Is Not The Problem, Removing It Not The Solution

My family and my husband’s family have been in the State of Mississippi for seven generations now. We came from Ireland. They were familiar with “Irish need not apply” signs and treatment designed to humiliate them. They owned no slaves, but fought in the war between the states because of the importance of states’ rights. They never condoned, supported, advocated or participated in slavery.    

What they did do was prove that they were hardworking, moral people who could rise above the prejudice and claim their place in America. They didn’t whine or beg or expect the government to enslave them to “gimme” programs that would rob them of a work ethic enabling them to care for themselves and their children.   

I remember sitting at the kitchen table counting the change my father made carrying suitcases for a living. He worked hard in a job viewed by most people as demeaning. He taught us to always work hard. He paid to send us to excellent local schools – a tremendous financial burden ($30 a month for three children). He had one driving ambition – our lives WOULD be better than his. All of us learned and used that work ethic all our lives. I couldn’t afford a college education, but it never stopped me. I have owned my own business for over 25 years and still work 10 hours a day. We learned patriotism to our state and country.   We saw what opportunities we had available and wouldn’t have dreamed of taking government handouts, must less DEMANDING  them!

When part of the Mississippi flag was hijacked by white supremacist groups (an oxymoron if ever there was one) I remained silent. When it was denigrated by civil rights activists I remained silent. Now it is being abandoned by the ever-running politicians in state offices (how about that for irony) and institutions anxious to appease and placate rather than educate those elements looking for instant gratification in lieu of earned respect.  

Those institutions rejecting the state flag should be willing to reject state financial support.

If removal of the flag would remedy any tangible woe, I would personally remove it. 

But…

Removing the flag will not eradicate poverty – education, self-reliance and personal responsibility will.

Removing the flag will not fix the problem of single parent homes – education, self-reliance and personal responsibility will.

Removing the flag will not fix the problem of category D schools because of drop out rates – nor will millions more in “special programs” – education, self-reliance and personal responsibility will.

Removing the flag will not erase the horrific episode of slavery throughout the entire United States – nor will a second slavery to  “help me” handouts – education, self-reliance and personal responsibility will.

There is no quick fix, and being seduced into a mass hysteria to remove a piece of cloth will leave you feeling like  you’ve eaten just one potato chip – not satisfied and hungry for more.

There is no magic bullet available. There is no instant remedy. The Missis-sippi flag has not robbed anyone of anything they can EARN by working and being responsible self reliant citizens.

Education is available to everyone – winning is available to everyone (I’m not talking about “participation” trophies and diplomas), but truly earned winning.  

The Mississippi state flag is not the problem. Removing it is not the solution. This controversy is a popular rallying cry to obfuscate and ignore the hard solutions needed to move us all forward. Those hiding behind this controversy are too afraid to have a truthful dialog that would expose the problems and open the door to solutions.

We can’t change the past by destroying it. WE CAN LEARN FROM IT AND MOVE FORWARD!

Anne Cavanaugh Burke

Water Valley, MS