Dear Congressman Rangel:
On behalf of concerned constituents in Mississippi, I am writing to express my astonishment and disappointment concerning the remark you made about our great state and its citizens, and your refusal to apologize for your remark. I hardly think the words “I did not mean to offend anyone,” is an apology.
At a time when your party’s leaders are calling for politicians at the national level to come together for the good of the country, this remark was quite divisive and has some very obvious undertones that more than just Mississippians have noted. I think you should understand that Mississippians are very grateful for the tremendous assistance and aid from the Federal government since Hurricane Katrina, but let me remind you that, in spite of our tragedy, and in spite of our many needs because of the storm, we are still a very proud people and are working very hard to recover. When you saw the national media’s coverage, it was not Mississippians that you heard lambasting our government, its agencies, or its leaders. What you perhaps did not see on the national news were Mississippians from every part of our state helping to pick up the pieces and repair shattered lives and ruined homes. What you did not see on the national media were the people whose homes had been wiped out volunteering to help others who still had pieces of a home to rebuild. What you did not see on the national news were the thousands of Mississippians who sent aid and went themselves to help the people of Louisiana and Texas recover from Hurricane Rita, which hit not very long after our communities in Mississippi were devastated.
We certainly do not need people like you who know very little or nothing about our state making senseless remarks such as the one you made. For when you talk about Mississippi, you talk about its people. I will remind you, Mr. Rangel, that our Mississippi is, and has been for a long time, the most charitable state in this country. I will remind you that there are millions of people from all races, all social groups, and all political parties who have chosen to live together (and do so quite well) in Mississippi and who are proud to live here. I will remind you that there are many retired Americans who have chosen Mississippi as a place to live out the remainder of their lives. Finally, I will remind you that there are thousands of men and women from this state who have, through the years, and to this date, chosen to defend the principles of freedom for ALL AMERICANS (including the people from your state of New York).
In closing, let me suggest that, if you really do not think that much of Mississippi, perhaps you should spend some quality time visiting our state to see why our citizens choose to proudly call Mississippi home; but, be careful, you may not want to go back to New York.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mike Lott
Mississippi House District 104
Forrest & Lamar Counties
Magnolia Tribune
