The Stennis Flag

In 1894 Mississippi adopted its current state flag, which prominently incorporates the Confederate battle flag saltire. Thus far every effort to remove the Confederate emblem from the state flag has failed. In 2001, for example, 65% of Mississippi voters chose to keep the current flag in a statewide referendum.

But change may be afoot. According to a Washington Post article yesterday, a new flag is gaining traction in Mississippi. Known as the “Stennis Flag,” it consists of a large blue star on a white background, surrounded by 19 smaller stars, and bordered by two large red bars. 

As explained by Laurin Stennis, the flag’s designer, the Stennis Flag incorporates four distinct symbols:

“Nineteen stars form a circle around a larger center star, which represents Mississippi as the 20th state to join the Union in 1817.

The centering of the blue star on the field of white is an inverted ‘Bonnie Blue,’ a reference to the state’s secession (1861 - 1865).

The circular shape symbolizes wholeness and continuity and is also drawn from artifacts of indigenous peoples to our region, particularly, the Choctaw Nation.

The red bars stand in opposition, recognizing the passionate differences we sometimes harbor, as well as in honor of those who have given their lives in pursuit of liberty and justice for all.”

What makes the flag particularly interesting is the fact that Laurin Stennis is the granddaughter of John Stennis, the segregationist politician who represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate for 41 years. In an interview three years ago with the Jackson Clarion Ledger, Laurin Stennis said that the idea came to her when she moved home to Mississippi in 2013: “I wanted to hang a state flag in my place, and I simply couldn’t … and wouldn’t. . . [The state flag] was designed specifically to mark Mississippi’s secession from the union. In my opinion, that shouldn’t be an option.”

So she designed the Stennis Flag “to develop a symbol that tells everyone’s story.” 

Notwithstanding the emergence of this new and viable alternative to the Confederate saltire, legislative action to change the state flag does not appear imminent. According to the Washington Post, a bill to officially adopt the Stennis Flag is stalled in a state legislative committee.

But there does seem to be growing momentum for changing the official state flag. The University of Mississippi removed the state flag from campus in 2015, and a number of cities across the state have done so as well. Leading members of the state’s business community have also called for replacing the state flag with a symbol all Mississippians can embrace. In the meantime, the Stennis Flag seems to be quite well received across the state. In October a municipal court judge even removed the Mississippi state flag from his courtroom and replaced it with the Stennis Flag.

It’s heartening to contemplate the possibility that Mississippi might in the foreseeable future embrace a new and inclusive state flag. I could not find a non-copyrighted image of the Stennis Flag, but you can see it at the Stennis Flag website here. Laurin Stennis is a professional artist; here is a link to her website. 

Comments

[Anthony Gaughan]

I originally wrote that the Mississippi state flag incorporates the Confederate battle flag saltire on its "upper left side." But of course it depends on what side you are facing. The picture that accompanies the Washington Post story shows the saltire on the upper right side.

[I. Richard Gershon]

As of 2016, no state university in Mississippi displays the official state flag. Many towns and cities (including my city of Oxford) have also taken down the flag. It would be great to see the Stennis Flag flying above Ole Miss.

https://thedmonline.com/last-state-university-takes-mississippi-flag/

[Anthony Gaughan]

I agree 100%, Richard. It would be wonderful to see the Stennis Flag flying over the beautiful University of Mississippi campus.

[Anon 2]

The Confederate Flag is no longer needed. It has been replaced by the MAGA hat.