Mississippi Libraries provide services to a diverse mix of patrons who range from students to community members, attorneys and doctors to the homeless and unemployed, toddlers to the elderly, and many more. Mississippi libraries are committed to these patrons no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they believe. As an Association, we are united in our mission of enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all.
The current Mississippi flag, adopted by the Legislature in 1894 and voted on by the people nearly twenty years ago, does not unite and represent all of our patrons today. The flag and its history & symbolism represent a time when racism prevailed and when learning and access to information was not available to all. As such, it should be taken down in favor of a more inclusive flag that will truly represent the diverse patrons that we serve.
Therefore, the Mississippi Library Association Board asks that state legislators do the right thing for all Mississippi citizens and vote to take down the state flag. We ask all of our association members to reach out to their state legislators to voice their support for removing the flag and replacing it with one that represents us all.
Press Release
6/24/2020
Magnolia Tribune
