JACKSON — The Rev. Loye B. Ashton, a religious-studies professor at Tougaloo College, sent a joint letter against SB 2681 this morning from Millsaps and Tougaloo colleges. Following is his email explaining and then text of the letter.
Dear Donna,
This poorly conceived law has since been amended from its original form to address criticism that it was too much a return to the Jim Crow days of legal discrimination based on race and ethnicity, but now including women, the LGBTQ community, people of other faiths as well as persons of color. However, the amendments are largely cosmetic and the ACLU has spoken out loudly against this legislation. Nevertheless, it passed with its defenders claiming that those who oppose it are “from out of Mississippi or anti-religious.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. To that end, Tougaloo College and Millsaps College, sisters institutions of higher education in the state of Mississippi who have stood together against unjust laws in support of civil rights for more fair and democratic society since 1933, have drafted the attached letter. This letter was initiated by the religious studies faculty at Millsaps and endorsed by the religious studies faculty at Tougaloo. It has also received the support of the administration of both Colleges.*
We thank-you for your reception of this letter and appreciate you using it to inform the citizens of Mississippi and this great nation that religious diversity does not need to discriminate and that true religious freedom does not compromise the rights of others.
Documents
Millsaps-Tougaloo Joint Letter Against SB 2681
Millsaps and Tougaloo colleges released a joint letter against SB 2681, Mississippi’s “religious freedom” law.
Previous Comments
In looking at this bill, I am reminded of my friend Trent Lott’s book title. This is indeed like taking a box of cats, upending it in your living room, and then “herding cats” back into a coherent group. He was remarking about Senators and his time as Senate Majority Leader, but I think it would equally apply to getting society back in order after this law has run its course and done its mischief. And I think it will cost the State and the taxpayers greatly to defend it and to reassure businesses planning on relocating here to Mississippi.
#5949 | Author: Turtleread | Date: Apr 9 2014
