Mayors from across the Mississippi Delta gathered at Delta State University today for the second annual Mayors\u2019\u00a0Summit hosted at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni-Foundation House.<\/p>\n
The university invited mayors from all of the municipalities in Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Sunflower and Washington counties as a way to reach out to surrounding communities and engage local leaders in\u00a0a discussion about\u00a0university\u00a0and community\u00a0activities.<\/p>\n
President William N. LaForge was excited to build on last year\u2019s inaugural summit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was encouraged by the dialogue that took place and the desire of our Delta area mayors to work together for the betterment of our region,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cI want to continue to grow these partnerships, and I am anxious to discover additional ways that Delta State can work to support local communities as they continue their support for the university.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s meeting focused on plans and topics for Delta State\u2019s third annual race relations conference,\u00a0Winning The Race, which will take place in the spring of 2016.<\/p>\n
The mayors in attendance also appreciated the opportunity to voice their collective thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great anytime people come together to communicate about being in the same place dealing with the same things,\u201d said Darryl Johnson, mayor of Mound Bayou. \u201cWhen leadership comes together to talk about what we can\u00a0change and what we\u00a0can\u00a0do to move forward on the same page, you can bet\u00a0something good\u00a0will\u00a0come out of it. I applaud the efforts of\u00a0President\u00a0LaForge for what he\u2019s doing to bring us together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor John Cox of Greenville echoed praise for the university\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that you look at the big picture first, especially as we\u2019re talking about race relations across America,\u201d said Cox. \u201cI think it\u2019s a very good thing that a local university is putting this topic at the forefront. I think it will continue to pay dividends for the communities and campus.\u201d<\/p>\n
LaForge said the university takes pride in being a leading example.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelta State is committed to leading a dialogue\u00a0about race relations in an effort\u00a0to strengthen our communities,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cWe want to hear your ideas and input on suggested topics and areas where we should focus our efforts to assist you and your communities with this important dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
One important piece of this dialogue was the potential for change in the Mississippi state flag, which flies large above Delta State\u2019s main entrance to campus.<\/p>\n
The university released an official statement today supporting a change to the \u201cStars and Bars\u201d symbol that\u00a0the\u00a0flag boasts on its top left corner. Mississippi is home to the sole remaining U.S. state flag that depicts the Confederate battle flag symbol.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelta State University stands as a living testament to the successes of equality, fairness and social justice,\u201d reads the statement. \u201cWe will continue to recognize and reflect on Mississippi\u2019s history, but we will also continue to provide leadership throughout the state and beyond in advancing the understanding and appreciation for our differences and our common challenges in the region. For these reasons, Delta State University supports making a change to a symbol, such as Mississippi\u2019s state flag, that promotes divisiveness and serves as a barrier to understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Mississippi\u2019s most racially diverse public university, Delta State proudly embraces the region, heritage and its people. Despite being located in an area characterized by some as a place of poverty and racial inequality \u2014 the Mississippi Delta \u2014\u00a0Delta State has successfully recruited students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.\u00a0Delta State is leading conversations about race relations and building stronger communities \u2014 most notably through the award-winning race relations conference.<\/p>\n
The institution is also home to Mississippi\u2019s only collegiate swimming and diving program, and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. Yet Delta State is not allowed to host NCAA swimming and diving championships due to the design of Mississippi\u2019s current flag.<\/p>\n
The NCAA has advised that, \u201c\u2026the Confederate flag is a symbol of oppression to many of our players, fans and coaches. It also believes that holding NCAA pre-determined championship events in Mississippi is not in the [sic] keeping with the established criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n
In announcing the university\u2019s position, LaForge said, \u201cIn many respects, Delta State University is a cultural mecca, and we celebrate this multicultural identity associated with our people, musical heritage, literature and the arts. Those who visit the university and the Delta, from around the country and abroad, deserve to know we are a welcoming community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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