Mississippi Declares April ‘Confederate Heritage Month’
Reported by: Shelley Orman
4/02
DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) – Mississippi just added a new observation to its calendar for the month of April. Governor Phil Bryant declared this month ‘Confederate Heritage Month.’
Mississippi makes the seventh state to celebrate the confederacy’s history in April. Some people we talk with worry it’s too divisive; others say it’s part of history.
"I had no idea," says Chuck Ealy.
"No, I’ve never heard of it," says Shannon Ray.
"I don’t think it should be forgotten because it’s history," says Darlean Holt.
States haven chosen April because that’s when most observe Confederate Memorial Day. In Mississippi, April 29th is set aside to honor those who served in the confederacy.
"It doesn’t really affect me much," Ealy says.
"I’d have to think about that. I think that war is over and I don’t think we need to keep fighting it," Ray says.
Governor Phil Bryant signed Mississippi’s order last week.
Bryant’s proclamation reads "It is important for all Americans to reflect upon our nation’s past, to gain insight from our mistakes and successes, and to come to a full understanding that the lessons learned yesterday and today will carry us through tomorrow if we carefully and earnestly strive to understand and appreciate our heritage."
"I don’t think it’s a good idea. I really don’t," Ray says.
"I think it would be good as a reminder," says Holt. "I don’t think they’ll use it the wrong way."
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia also have confederate history months.
Four states that were part of the confederacy that don’t observe it are South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas.
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