One thing that is consistent about life is change. It took some time, but Mississippi finally implemented a change for the better after voters overwhelmingly supported the Statewide Measure 3. The measure asked voters to approve or reject a new state flag design.
Votes on Tuesday saw the measure pass with 71.64% approving the new design — which consisted of the state flower, a magnolia, over a blue background and thick red stripes on each end. A “In God We Trust” slogan with stars circles the magnolia. A single gold star representing the Native Americans who first occupied the land is also designed on the flag.
The original Mississippi flag was under a lot of scrutiny for its historic roots. Crafted in 1894, the flag bore the racially symbolic Confederate battle emblem often used for intimidation purposes by hate groups.
The year of vision, 2020, placed the flag in the spotlight as the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and more sparked civil unrest across the nation.
Despite state mandates to uphold the flag as a representation of the 20th state, Mississippians decided to take the situation into their own hands when refused to fly the flag at several institutions throughout the state.
The power is in the people.
