Opinion letter in Biloxi Sun Herald

From: [email protected]

This letter was faxed to the Biloxi Sun Herald, since their website limits a response to 300 words and it contains no email address. The site link for the letter I referenced is below.

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/editorial/3768109.htm

August 1, 2002
Letters to the Editor
Biloxi Sun Herald
Biloxi, Ms.

Reference: [Opinion] At some point, supervisors must listen to reason

This letter is in rebuttal to the referenced message, which is currently appearing on your website.

For whatever reason, the writer does not believe the premise on which this country was founded: a democratic form of government, whereby the majority rules. The Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 to allow the Confederate Battle flag to remain at the beach display. Unless I am extremely mistaken, a 4 to 1 vote certainly constitutes a majority vote.

I understand that for some folks, it is hard for them to understand that when an official is “elected” to office, it is expected of him to vote on matters, as per the wishes of his constituents, whom he was elected to represent and to serve. How does he know their wishes? I would imagine that many of his constituents have been in contact with him, regarding this matter. I understand many people have called to express their opinions on this issue, both pro and con, so obtaining the wishes of constituents should be an easy task. I do not believe there is a need to survey each and every voter in order to come to a conclusion.

I believe that if the Board of Supervisors were to compromise with the NAACP or any other bigoted organization, this compromise would ultimately lead to more problems. The NAACP and other groups are never satisfied when compromises are reached and they constantly desire even more concessions. Look at South Carolina, a prime example of a compromise gone awry. In a compromise, the legislators removed the Confederate Battle Flag from the dome of the capitol building and placed it at a Confederate memorial, a fitting and proper location. However, AFTER this concession, this site, too, became unacceptable to the NAACP. When officials refused to further “compromise,” this provoked a “boycott” by the NAACP, with roadblocks and threats of intimidation. We have seen this happen throughout the South. Compromise, concede, compromise, concede and the NAACP still wants more.

As far as lost revenue from the Confederate Flag being flown, I contend that the tourist revenues will actually go up, as Southerners, passing through south Mississippi will intentionally detour off I-10 onto Highway 90, for the sole purpose of viewing those beautifully flying flags, will stop at various locations, such as restaurants, Beauvoir, casinos, gift shops, etc., and spend their money. Anti-flaggers always throw up lost revenue, whether by boycotts or other forms of intimidations, which never pan out. Check out the tourist revenue from South Carolina last year, despite the “boycott” by the NAACP. It was UP 11%!! The NAACP only fools itself if it honestly believes that folks take its organization seriously any longer. The truth is, the only companies hurt by their “boycott” is black-owned businesses, by the forced loss of black tourists by the NAACP.

I would also submit that the “distraction to the police departments” is caused by the protests of the NAACP, not by the display of the Confederate Battle Flag, which is flying harmlessly in the air above the beach. But the writer is correct, in that the taxpayers have no choice but to foot the bill for the bullheadedness of the NAACP and whoever continues to instigate a protest, a boycott or whatever term placed upon someone sitting out there under the flagpoles until the Confederate Battle flag comes down. This person obviously has no job for which to report and much too much time upon his hands. Or is he possibly being paid to sit there? At any rate, I sure hope he brought his winter attire. It gets awfully chilly on the Biloxi/Gulfport beach in the wintertime.

Linda Sewell
President, Alabama Heritage Preservation Association