Dear Editor,
After reading the “Our View” in the Thursday, June 29 edition of The Columbian-Progress, I felt an overwhelming urge to respond. Since the title of the article is “Our View,” I am assuming the “our” is referring to the Columbian-Progress newspaper. I must admit this is a well-written article and makes a very good point concerning vandalism of public property. To the contrary I must say that the author unfortunately overlooked the sense of bias it contained by speaking with a double tongue, as the Native Americans would say.
To be assured that I am not misunderstood, I do NOT approve of nor condone any type of vandalism whether public or private and despise the defacement or removal of any such marker or monument, especially those pertaining to our state or our nation’s history.
In the article it was suggested that this vandalism could have been to send a message with examples being someone is tired of hearing about the case represented by the marker or maybe they have a dislike for the racial progress that has been made in Mississippi since the mid-20th century. I must admit that I did not know the story of Emmett Till, but, thanks to your article, I do now.
According to the History Channel webpage, the white shopkeeper was the store owner’s wife. Just a reminder, this was another place in time, but I am quite sure no husband would take it kindly of a 14-year-old boy verbally teasing his wife regardless of color of skin. Regardless of circumstances, Mr. Till did NOT deserve the response he got.
Could another possibility be that someone is tired of the way matters of this type are represented by the media or maybe tired of hearing about the need to change the state flag, change the name of a road, school, town, or even a county because someone is offended? Maybe they just got tired of people wanting to remove monuments that have stood for over a century but haven’t fallen on anybody yet. Maybe this or these vandals were just tired of hearing reports in the media, such as your article, but never hearing anything from the news media that reflects a different view. At this time I am hearing nothing from the media concerning how disgraceful it is for cities and schools to refuse to fly the state flag but still stick out their hand for state money. The flag was put to a taxpayer vote and was approved to remain as it is. These are the same taxpayers supplying the money those entities are wanting, yet no such statement from the media.
The article also stated that the Till marker would be replaced, as it should be, over and over but sadly this is not the case concerning those other markers a century old. They were done through private donations, including the property on which they stand, yet with no sympathy from the news media over their destruction.
According to “Our View,” the Emmett Till case is a part of Mississippi history and should be remembered. Even though I am in full agreement, I am also very disappointed that this newspaper along with the rest of the news media have not been so bold as to make declarations such as this concerning other matters of this state’s history. Like it or not, agree with it or not, this state was a part of the Confederate States of America and deserves to be remembered as such. Mississippi was the second state to leave the union in defense of the liberties it was given even by the United States Constitution. This great state gave up most of its wealth along with a great many of its citizens, who fought against a vastly greater invading army, yet I hear no cries from the news media that this a part of Mississippi’s history when cities and schools refuse to fly our banner. To the contrary, it appears that only those who protest this portion of history get coverage.
The state flag was approved by popular vote, announce it. The monuments, markers, and names represent prominent figures in our history who stood strong for their beliefs during the War of Northern Aggression. Announce it.
Just remember, Columbian-Progress, this is part of Mississippi’s history, along with yours, and should be remembered. Announce it. If we as a people are going to remember our history and learn from our mistakes then we must remember it all or there will be no truth in it. If the news media is going to cover only parts, it cannot be classified as non-biased.
I am not trying to belittle nor disrespect anyone, nor am I suggesting any type of protest concerning the civil rights era. To the contrary, I am suggesting that it is our history and should be remembered along with the rest of OUR history. Above all, I ask the reader to remember that this is not our view as it should be, but simply my view from my back porch while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
K.R. McNease
