Palazzo’s Vote Against Maya Angelou Tribute is an Insult to Mississippi’s Heritage
JACKSON-Rickey Cole, Chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, issued the following statement today:
“Mississippi is justifiably proud of our rich literary heritage. William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Eudora Welty, Margaret Walker Alexander, Willie Morris, Tennessee Williams, Ellen Douglas, John Grisham and many others have contributed greatly to American literature. Our state is renowned around the world for the tremendous contributions Mississippians have made and are continuing to make in the arts and letters.
One of the cornerstones of any community is mutual respect. It should go without question that the representatives of a state so justifiably proud of our own literary giants would make every effort to show great respect and deference toward the work and legacy of great writers and artists from other states, especially other states of the South, irrespective and regardless of political differences.
Unfortunately, Congressman Steven Palazzo just doesn’t have the dignity (or perhaps lacks the home training) to practice such basic courtesy. When his colleagues proposed to name a post office in North Carolina after the late Poet Laureate Emeritus of the United States, Dr. Maya Angelou, Palazzo voted “No” on this symbolic gesture toward the memory of that great literary figure. He was the only Mississippian and one of only nine House members to do so. What a disgrace to our heritage.
But we shouldn’t be surprised. Palazzo has a history and a well-deserved reputation for being graceless, tactless and clueless. We should remember that he is the same ill-mannered and inconsiderate little thug who voted ‘No’ on Hurricane Sandy relief while Mississippi was still recovering from Katrina.”
3/2/16
Magnolia Tribune
