Some communities in Mississippi are re-evaluating the public display of Confederate monuments. As MPB's Mark Rigsby reports, two elected boards have different ideas on approaching the issue.
The Leflore County Board of Supervisors is considering forming a committee to study placing a black history monument near a Confederate statue at the county courthouse. The statue was erected more than 100 years ago. It's among more than 40 Confederate monuments standing across Mississippi. District 2 Supervisor Robert Moore.
"I'm willing to have a conversation about it. Because I just don't believe that we shouldn't be open to embrace all sides of this. I believe we should be able to talk about it and find some middle ground, or common ground."
The debate over Confederate symbols on public display is regaining momentum since the recent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. In McComb, the city board is discussing removing a Confederate monument from city hall. Selectman at Large Tommy McKenzie says he would vote against it.
"I think the passion for this is misguided. I think it's being done incorrectly. I think it's making matters worse. When the flag comes down, all the monuments get moved, and nothing changes in the lives of the people who want that, who are they going to blame then? What happens next?"
McComb's six member board is half black, half white. Mayor Whitney Rawlings, who is white, and holds the tie-breaking vote, agrees the monument should be moved, but a location need to be found.
