The Daily Mississippian asked students outside the Circle and the Union on Monday to express their reactions to the removal of the state flag on the University of Mississippi campus.
Michael Holman
Michael Holman
English major
Junior
“I think it’s a good representation of our desire to see the dignity of each person on campus respected and to make this place as inclusive as possible.”
Correl Hoyoe
Correl Hoyoe
Psychology major
Senior
“I believe that there are other symbols on this campus that are more potent in the era of slavery than the flag, but the flag is the first step in progression. I want to be on the right side of history, so I approve of the flag coming down. I understand those that are for it. I understand it’s been the tapestry in your living room ever since you were born and someone telling you it’s wrong, in a sense, is infuriating, but it is a step in the right direction. I believe to have it removed and have future generations more intolerant to hatred in any forms or fashion.”
Dartavious Humphrey
Dartavious Humphrey
Computer Science major
Sophomore
“You know, I’m really just happy to see that they tried to make everybody equal and happy. That’s what I like about it – that it’s down.”
Randi Robison
Randi Robison
Biology major
Senior
“I think it’s about time that we remove it from the state of Mississippi, but I think that it shouldn’t just be on campus. It should be a state thing. I hope that all of the people that have rallied in the past couple of weeks to help bring it down off campus wouldn’t just stop here, that it would be a thing that would keep going where they could go to Jackson and rally there also. I’m happy that the schools are the first place it’s starting, but I wish that it was the state that was the first place taking the first action to do these things.”
Emonii Patterson
Emonii Patterson
Psychology major
Sophomore
“I feel like it was a positive thing just because it is inclusive. I feel like everyone benefits from it. If people still want to have the flag, they can have it in their house or wherever else. It’s just a thing of respect for me.”
John Brahan
John Brahan
Public Policy Leadership/ ASB Vice President
Junior
“I am excited because, on behalf of the ASB Senate, we’re excited to see the University respond so quickly to our resolution. We’re also excited to see the faculty senate, staff council and graduate student council jump on board and support our cause. The fact that it’s been taken down less than a week from our initial resolution, it’s very exciting.”
Gavin Gilbert
Gavin Gilbert
Integrated Marketing and Communications
Sophomore
“Personally I don’t really see it as a big deal, but if people really are offended by it, it’s whatever. I think at least it should’ve been put up to a campus-wide vote, because then it would’ve gotten an actual poll and demographic of the entire school. I think taking it like that way probably wasn’t the best approach, but it is what it is.”
Harrison Hawks
Harrison Hawks
Business Management major
Sophomore
“I don’t really understand how the campus can take it off, but the state really doesn’t do anything about it. It would be something I would like to get to know more about- I honestly don’t know too much. I guess I really don’t see why it had to come down, but then again, I guess if it’s hurting people’s feelings, if it has got to come down, it’s got to.”
Amber Harmon
Amber Harmon
Biology major
Senior
“I’m really happy to see it come down, because I think it is going to give people a positive view of the University. I just wish that they had sent the email out beforehand telling people that they were going to take it down, because I wish I could’ve been there.”
Tori Treadway
Tori Treadway
Business Management major
Senior
“It makes the campus more inclusive. I think that as a student body, if we’re going to have a creed and follow a creed then we need to follow through with it in every aspect of student life and that includes taking down the flag.”
